COLLINGWOOD 3.2.20 6.6.42 10.7.67 12.12.84
GOALS - Collingwood: Fasolo 4, Moore 3, White 2, Blair, Greenwood, Broomhead
BEST - Collingwood: Pendlebury, Sidebottom, Fasolo, Treloar
INJURIES - Collingwood: Broomhead (ankle), Reid (shoulder)
REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil
Official crowd: 60,222 at the MCG
| 1. The Magpies are struggling mightilyCollingwood
was expected to improve in 2016, but the football world might have
overestimated the talent available to Nathan Buckley. Injuries to the
likes of Dane Swan, Jamie Elliott and Marley Williams have hurt, but the
Pies were smashed in the midfield by a team that was expected to
contest for the wooden spoon. The Magpies were second in the competition
for tackle differential coming into this game, but even lost that
category by five. For Collingwood to be beaten so comprehensively in the
middle by Carlton, shows the top eight is out of reach for the Pies
after they slumped to 2-5. 2. Bryce Gibbs is right back in form Coming off an injury-marred year, the club champion in 2014 has impressed this season. He was averaging over 25 disposals per match coming into this game and finished with 30 against Collingwood. Even more importantly, his skills are what the Blues need. Carlton missed some easy shots at goal but Gibbs stood up in the premiership quarter, kicking three majors. Carlton has plenty of players who have a crack, but the team is short on class, so they need their stars to perform in critical moments. It's fair to say Gibbs did that on Saturday at the MCG. 3. Bolton finds some punch for Blues Everyone knows about the gun forwards the Blues have lost in recent years: Josh Kennedy, Eddie Betts, Jarrad Waite and Jeff Garlett. Putting a score on the board was always going to be an issue for Carlton but the club may be closer to finding a solution. Brendon Bolton's side kicked 15 goals this week, led by three from Levi Casboult. It's more about midfield domination for the Blues though. Winning contested ball by 18, clearances by 11 and inside-50s by 11 gives Carlton's forwards plenty of chances to convert. Eventually, against the Magpies, they did so. |
4. Mixed bag for Levi It's fair to say goalkicking isn't Levi Casboult's forte, and there was a bit of everything against the Pies. All eyes were on him when he marked deep in the forward line on an angle early in the game. Slotting that one seemed to lift his confidence, and at half-time the big man had two-straight goals as well as five contested marks. To see Casboult in that sort of form would only have pleased coach Brendon Bolton, who said on Friday the 26-year-old had been putting in plenty of time on the track to improve his conversion rate. A set shot that went out on the full to start the second half blotted the copybook, but Casboult did it when it counted, converting a set shot with seven minutes left in the game from outside 50m to give the Blues a three-goal lead and see them home. 5. The Pies need an in-form Travis Cloke Collingwood is lacking footballing ability and leadership – two traits Cloke can provide when at his best. Darcy Moore was used as the lead-up target but he struggled initially in that role, not registering a kick in the first half against Carlton. It's simply too much pressure to put on a 20-year-old forward. Mason Cox played his third game, it's harsh to expect too much from him, while Jesse White was solid with 15 disposals and two goals but doubts continue about his consistency. Buckley is determined to ensure Cloke works himself into form in the reserves before he comes back to the senior side, but desperation may mean the hulking forward gets a recall sooner rather than later. For Collingwood to be beaten so comprehensively in the middle by Carlton, shows the top eight is out of reach for the Pies after they slumped to 2-5. |
| THE MEDIA | |
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A FRUSTRATED Nathan Buckley doesn't want Collingwood to accept mediocrity despite its youth after the Magpies slumped to a fifth defeat for the season on Saturday. The Pies were beaten by 15 points by Carlton at the MCG, trailing for nearly the entire contest and falling to last year's wooden-spooners. It continued what has been a poor start to the season for the Pies, who entered the year as finals hopefuls but look headed for a third-straight year out of the top-eight. Buckley said after the loss that his team needed more contributors but that the inexperience in his line-up shouldn't be an excuse for the club's difficulties so far this season. "We want to be playing better. But what do we do? Do we cry over spilt milk and throw the hands in the air and say we can't improve it or be better, or even worse that we accept being mediocre? No, we don't," Buckley said. "There's a lot of fairly solid conversations that take place in the background and there's still a high expectation for our ability to execute what we do and to bring the work-rate to the table as well. "No one's happy about where we're sitting." Tim Broomhead (ankle) and Ben Reid (shoulder) were also injured in the loss, but despite the defeat Buckley said the club was not worrying about outside expectations about where the Pies should be sitting on the ladder. "We can say whatever we like, but in the end all that matters is what we do. We still have higher expectations of where we're performing at the moment. We still expect to be more competitive for longer than what we are at the moment," Buckley said. "We can do better and we're going to keep working to play better football." Despite the Magpies' troubles in attack (they took only five inside-50 marks on Saturday), Buckley indicated there would be no straightforward passage back to the seniors for veteran goalkicker Travis Cloke. Cloke was dropped for the Pies' Anzac Day clash with Essendon and was ruled out of the VFL this weekend with a back injury, and Buckley said the 29-year-old would need to show he can execute his role before returning. "He's going to need time to prove he's going to help us when he comes up into senior footy," Buckley said. "The idea that Travis Cloke coming back in and Nathan Brown or an experienced player coming back into the side and we would be a better 22 for it is flawed. Because we would select them if that was the case." The Magpies meet the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba next Saturday night and will be aiming to notch their third win of the year. Buckley said the club could turn around its form in time to make something of 2016 "It's round seven and we would love to have been better placed. We would love to have been more consistent and to have consolidated a core group of players who are going to play our way. We have been unable to do that to this point," Buckley said. "We'll keep looking for it. We want more continuity with our senior 22 but form and injury has conspired against that. We'd like more continuity with the way we play the game but we've been unable to find that." "Ultimately that's the challenge. It's a tough caper." Carlton has won its third game in a row and in the process heaped more pressure on under-fire Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley with a 15-point victory over the Magpies. The Blues outplayed their rivals throughout Saturday's contest at the MCG, closing out a 15.9 (99) to 12.12 (84) win in the second half in front of a crowd of more than 60,000 fans. It was the first time since 2013 that last year's wooden-spooners have won three straight games, and in the process they handed Collingwood its fifth defeat of the year. The spotlight will remain on Buckley and his struggling team after the loss, with the Blues clearly outpointing the Magpies across the contest and deserving the win. Carlton's win was built on midfield dominance and a presence in the forward-50 that couldn't be matched by the Pies. Kade Simpson (30 disposals), Bryce Gibbs (29 and three goals) and Marc Murphy (24 and one goal) were terrific, while Patrick Cripps' ascent into one of the game's best midfielders continued with nine clearances and 29 disposals. Dale Thomas, too, continued his improved form against his former side with 21 touches. But the story was forward duo Andjres Everitt and Levi Casboult, who proved far too dangerous for Collingwood's flat-footed defence. Everitt kicked three goals from 20 disposals and used his athleticism to impact the game, while Casboult also kicked three majors, including the sealer late in the final quarter. Collingwood was led well by captain Scott Pendlebury (34 disposals) and star midfielder Steele Sidebottom (29) but lacked contributors across the board. Former Demon Jeremy Howe (22) impressed in the first half across half-forward line in his best game for the club, and Alex Fasolo was a focal point in attack kicking four goals. Carlton made the early running, with Liam Jones and Casboult offering strong marking targets in attack. Their presence helped the Blues to a 14-point advantage midway through the first quarter, but that was trimmed to two points by the first change after some smart work by Jordan De Goey set up Jesse White for a goal. Although far from the quality of the 1970 Grand Final – perhaps the most famous battle between the rivals – the Blues' intensity and the Pies' efforts to work back into form made for an even contest. Carlton's dominance near goal was reflected in the numbers, with the Blues taking five inside-50 marks for the term to the Pies' none. But it was really only Collingwood's efficiency that was keeping the Pies in the game at half-time, with the Blues holding an 11-point lead at the main break. They should have been further in front, too, after smashing Collingwood at the clearances (21 to 12 at half-time) and take the ball inside-50 on 10 more occasions. Too much was left to Sidebottom, who won 20 disposals in the first half but was largely playing a lone hand in Collingwood's midfield with recruit Adam Treloar tagged out of the game by Ed Curnow. Collingwood stepped up in the third quarter and continued to press, but the Blues responded whenever challenged. They moved the ball through the middle of the ground with more poise and direction, Thomas gave some spark on the wing, and their key forwards presented well. If they had converted properly the game would have been sealed much earlier. Casboult's inaccuracy in front of goal continues to plague him and took away from his excellent aerial game, with the forward taking 11 marks (five inside 50 and seven contested) in a commanding display. In total, Collingwood took just five marks inside 50, illustrating Casboult's say on proceedings. The Blues made their biggest run in the third term, as Gibbs booted three goals for the quarter to break the shackles and extend Carlton's lead to 30 points midway through the quarter. But two late goals for the Pies to Moore and Fasolo gave Collingwood some hope heading into the last term. Another quick goal from Levi Greenwood early in the last furthered the Pies' hopes of a comeback win, but Carlton, in a mature display, steadied and held on for the win. It was a victory that showed the Blues' progress this year under new coach Brendon Bolton, and also highlighted the Pies' downfall in 2016. Medical Room The Magpies’ fitness issues came in the second half, with Tim Broomhead struggling with an ankle problem and Ben Reid hurting his shoulder. Next up The Pies travel to Brisbane to take on the Lions next Saturday night at the Gabba. Next Five Brisbane, Geelong, Footscray, Port Adelaide, Melbourne. "We want to be playing better. But what do we do? Do we cry over spilt milk and throw the hands in the air and say we can't improve it or be better, or even worse that we accept being mediocre? No, we don't. There's a lot of fairly solid conversations that take place in the background and there's still a high expectation for our ability to execute what we do and to bring the work-rate to the table as well. No one's happy about where we're sitting." Nathan Buckley |
CARLTON incorrectly named its documentary at the start of the year. Instead of “The Journey”, the Blues should have called it “The Slingshot”. What we thought was going to be one of footy’s toughest rebuilding jobs in recent history on Saturday gathered serious and somewhat unexpected pace, when the re-energised Blues posted their third-straight win of the season and first victory in three years over arch enemy Collingwood at the MCG. Carlton coach Brendon Bolton may talk the 15-point win down, but there were some plain truths about this watershed performance, led magnificently by inspirational young bulldozer Patrick Cripps, tireless veteran Kade Simpson, three-goal star Bryce Gibbs and reinvigorated ruckman Matthew Kreuzer. As former Pie Dale Thomas said after the match, the Blues’ play “has not been pretty”, but they are working “bloody hard”, and you can see the new-found resilience and ticker in a side that looked totally desolate at the same point last year. Yet there was excitement too, as Cripps capitalised on a Jordan de Goey fumble at a critical moment in the third term, weaving around two Collingwood players to setup an Andrejs Everitt goal. Carlton was much hungrier in the contest, more systematic in its ball use, and worked harder to outrun Collingwood in the outside midfield stakes on Saturday. They kicked their biggest score of the season, even with Levi Casboult butchering his usual handful of goal attempts, including two set shots in the third term. But he pumped his fists when he hammered the nail in the Collingwood coffin from 50m out 20 minutes into the last term. He was one of three Blues to bag three goals and took a career-best 11 marks, including seven contested grabs. For all of his kicking flaws, when he is hot, he looks unstoppable in the air, floating across the packs with power and grace. Really, the Blues should have won by more, leading from the start, despite coming off a six-day turnaround from Perth. Collingwood is in a deep, dark hole, and is performing so far below expectations, after an encouraging preseason, that their dismal start to the year will surely test every part of the club’s faith in its coaching and playing stocks. Yes, they have used 36 players, the most of any team, and three more than their 2010 premiership year. But they are easy to play against, the Pies. They concede more marks in their back 50m than any other team and on Saturday history repeated, with the Blues reeling in 15 forward 50m marks to Collingwood’s five. Collingwood’s defensive system, whatever you want to call it, was ripped apart, again. Young forward Darcy Moore tried desperately to lift the Pies in the third term with a big grab and goal, and then, had a hand in Alex Fasolo’s fourth to lead a short-lived fightback before the last change. Captain Scott Pendlebury was inspirational in the last term, gathering 10 possessions, and Steele Sidebottom continued last week’s outstanding performance with a sparkling first half, adding some much needed midfield polish. But they were belted in the clearances, again, losing the count 40-29 and the inside-50s 57 to 46. The tackles favoured Carlton 73-68. Collingwood had strong interest in Carlton ruckman Kreuzer last year and the big man was influential in handing the Blues a decisive edge in the early midfield battle on Saturday. The Magpies have struggled to gain control of the ruck battle all season and Kreuzer took charge with a string of favourable palm-downs, including one to Everitt as he ran onto an open goal late in the second term. Cripps and Ed Curnow dominated at ground level with 10 first-half clearances, again exposing the Magpies for hard ball in the engine room early. Curnow was responsible for Adam Treloar, with Triple M commentator Danny Frawley criticising the Magpies’ recruit for being unaccountable to his opponent. “I have been watching Adam Treloar, and gee, can he run forward of a contest,” Frawley said. Casboult reeled in a spectacular overhead mark in front of Jeremy Howe immediately after Everitt’s crumbing goal to extend the Blues’ lead to 11 points at the half time break. It's been baby steps for Carlton since the end of 2015 heralded a cleanout of players the likes of which the Blues had never seen and the appointment of another new coach, this one with a far more realistic job description. But Saturday's 15-point win over the old enemy Collingwood might in hindsight prove a significant moment in a steep learning curve. Not that the Magpies, by their lowly 2016 standards, are proving any great shakes. But in front of a big crowd and the associated hype that a clash with an arch-rival brings forth, Carlton not only held sway, but held their nerve. The first score of this game indicated what could follow for the rest of the opening term, that is, Carlton dominating the action but not taking their chances, Collingwood's opportunities a lot thinner on the ground, but largely converted. It went the Magpies' way after Bryce Gibbs got the ball for the Blues within striking distance, and managed to hit opponent Jordan de Goey on the chest with a "beautiful" centre. Result: turnover, and a walk-in goal to the Pies' Alex Fasolo. In fairness to Gibbs, who was as busy as anyone early, the Blues' next meaningful attack saw him pump the ball long to Levi Casboult, who marked as strongly as ever 20 metres out, and despite the usual misgivings of all watching, duly converted. Carlton would in fact kick three on end after Fasolo's opener, but a 14-point lead should have been plenty more, Ciaran Byrne, Andrejs Everitt and Andrew Walker all missing getable chances, the Blues having dominated the inside 50s and more than doubling their opponent for contested ball. In time-on, they'd pay for that largesse, too. With Steele Sidebottom already causing Carlton plenty of problems, he was instrumental in two goals within two minutes to reduce the gap to just two points at quarter-time. That, however, wasn't about to be the launching pad for a massive momentum swing, more one of a couple of momentary rescue missions. Carlton would kick three of the first four goals of the second term. When Everitt converted a free kick for a 13-point lead, the Blues had enjoyed the last nine inside 50 entries. They weren't just dominating contested possession, but obliterating Collingwood in the statistic, the Blues ahead 61-38. A damaging little cameo from Jarryd Blair, including one of the best goals seen so far this year, and the creation of another for Fasolo, pulled the gap back to one point. Again, however, Carlton kicked. A superb tap from Matthew Kreuzer from a throw-in saw Everitt sprint on to the ball and snap a goal. Casboult marked in close range and again managed to find the gap between the big sticks. And a two-goal buffer was once more restored. And so the status quo was maintained after the long break. Again, Carlton had the better of everything, and again some decent chances were squandered. It took the class of Gibbs to put some more definitive space between these two, with a run of three goals in a row, an efficient conversion, an open goal and a smart dribbling effort. All of a sudden the gap was 30 points, Collingwood now just hanging on. Barely a minute later, Moore created Fasolo's fourth goal. When Levi Greenwood rattled another one within 30 seconds of the final term starting, the margin was back to 13 points and trouble afoot. But if Carlton have proved anything this year, it's that while they may not be full of class, they are at least full of resolve. And they showed it again at the perfect time. Much to the Magpies' chagrin, it was Dale Thomas who restored some equilibrium. Moore kicked his third for the Pies. But then came perhaps the definitive statement that this was to be Carlton's day. Casboult, terrific for the Blues whenever they needed a target, presented again, right on the 50-metre arc, where skipper Marc Murphy backed him in and hit his man on the chest. Of course, given Casboult's recent history, the most difficult part of the equation was to come. But the most important kick of the game was never in doubt. And the guttural roar that erupted from the Carlton faithful when the siren rang to herald a 15-point victory signified two things. One was that there is still little in football as satisfying for the Blues than beating the Pies. The other, more important, is that however gradually, Brendon Bolton's Carlton is very clearly moving in the right direction. |
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