GEELONG 0.3.3 3.7.25 6.10.46 11.14.80
GOALS - Collingwood: Pendlebury 3, Fasolo 2, White 2, Cox 2, Grundy 2, Treloar, Crisp, Crocker, Moore, De Goey
BEST - Collingwood: Sidebottom, Pendlebury, Howe, Treloar, Adams, Grundy, Greenwood
INJURIES - Collingwood: Nil
REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil
OFFICIAL CROWD - 59,864 at the MCG
| 1. Magpies' first-quarter massacre Geelong had won six games in a row and was sitting comfortably in the top two. The Magpies were struggling at 3-5 and with coach Nathan Buckley seemingly under the pump. But that detail didn't seem to matter as Collingwood came roaring out of the blocks to kick seven goals to nil in the opening term. The Cats were shell-shocked as Jack Crisp (13 disposals), Steele Sidebottom (12) and Scott Pendlebury (10) ran riot in midfield in the opening term. With Jeremy Howe and Ben Reid controlling proceedings down back, this was a very different Collingwood to the one that was on its knees just a fortnight ago. They then showed enough resilience to hold off Geelong's powerful second-half charge. 2. Howe down back pays dividends One of the reasons why Jeremy Howe left Melbourne was that Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley had the plan to play him primarily forward of centre. But after an injury-interrupted start to the season and a quiet few weeks up forward, the Magpies resorted to the old Paul Roos tactic of stationing the high-flyer down back. The move worked wonders for the Magpies. Howe was one of the club's best players against the Cats, with his intercept marking a feature. His precise ball use out of defence also provided an advantage as the Magpies continually spread Geelong's zone and forced it to defend. His last-quarter kick-in, up the guts, which led to Brodie Grundy's running goal, emphasised Collingwood's mindset of taking the game on. |
3. Inaccurate Cats Geelong almost cost itself the game with atrocious kicking against Adelaide last week and its inaccuracy came back to bite them against Collingwood. There is no doubt goal kicking is a problem at the Cattery. The Cats kicked a wayward 13.20 against the Crows and followed that up with 3.7 in the first half against the Magpies. The misses, as they often do, came at inopportune times as Patrick Dangerfield, Jimmy Bartel and Daniel Menzel all wasted crucial shots late in the second term as the Cats were trying to get back into the contest. In the end, those missed chances cost the Cats the game. 4. Man of Steele's milestone match Steele Sidebottom has always been a big game player. So there was little surprise the midfielder rose to the occasion in his own 150-game milestone. In a game riddled with mistakes, Sidebottom's sharp decision-making and cleanness with ball in hand stood out. The smooth-moving Magpie had a game-high 31 disposals to go with nine marks. Sidebottom hit targets in pressure situations and he assisted a number of his teammates by putting them in high-percentage scoring positions. 5. Greenwood has the wood on Selwood There was constant bickering and fighting and Levi Greenwood did not yield to Geelong skipper Joel Selwood all day. Greenwood has relished his defensive shutdown jobs this season and his contested brand of footy suits the role. Greenwood kept the Cats' skipper to 18 disposals and limited his ability to break clear from stoppages. As always, Selwood did not give in, but the Greenwood run-with role was vital in Collingwood's 24-point victory. |
| THE MEDIA | |
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THERE is a "stark difference" in the way Collingwood is playing from the start of the season to now, according to coach Nathan Buckley. The Pies' boss also says his team will fancy their chances against any team they encounter from here. Buckley's ominous statement came after Collingwood took down the form side of the competition in Geelong by 24 points at the MCG on Saturday afternoon. Back in business with a win-loss record of 4-5, the Magpies face the Western Bulldogs at the MCG next Sunday in what shapes as a fascinating duel. "We're back in the season now off the last couple of weeks, and we come up against the Bulldogs next week," Buckley said in his post-game press conference. "We'll welcome any tests if we're prepared to bring that work rate and that effort." Wins over the Brisbane Lions and now the Cats in the past fortnight have demonstrated to Buckley that his side's best is good enough to test the AFL's top teams. "On occasions, earlier this year, we just didn't bring our best to the table," Buckley said. "We clearly didn't do that often enough early in the season. It's pretty stark, the difference in what we're seeing." Collingwood made a shell-shocked Geelong look second-rate as it booted seven goals to nil in the opening quarter to charge out to a 44-point lead. But after quarter-time the momentum shifted and the Cats began to win the territory battle. Chipping away at the deficit, Geelong closed the margin to eight points with 14 minutes left in the game. But the Magpies steadied and by staying "aggressive" they were able to close out the match. Jeremy Howe's confidence to back himself and drill a kick-in directly up the middle led to a final-quarter coast-to-coast goal to ruckman Brodie Grundy that gave the Magpies enough of a buffer. "One of our boys said (at three-quarter time), 'This is our game to lose' but we came out of that and we said, 'We understand that sentiment but let's keep going on to win it,'" Buckley said. "It's an important mentality to have because they're both right. We were able to keep our heads under real pressure." Buckley praised Levi Greenwood for the defensive run-with role he performed on Geelong skipper Joel Selwood. Selwood had just 18 disposals, his lowest tally since round 12 last season. "Selwood probably circles that one and knows exactly who he's going to get and Levi circles it and knows what his challenge is," Buckley said. "Levi's been up and down like we have in the early part of the year but when he brings it he makes us a better team and he makes his teammates walk taller around him." Further adding to Buckley's buoyant mood is the fact the Magpies are due to regain a number of important players from injury over the next couple of weeks. Key defender Nathan Brown (hamstring) is a week away from a return, while Tyson Goldsack (fractured thumb) and Marley Williams (foot) were due to play their first games in the VFL on Saturday. Travis Cloke is available if needed and the performances of Jarrod Witts, Jonathon Marsh and Matt Goodyear have been been encouraging. "We've got some guys starting to put some form together down there (in the VFL) so that helps build our momentum … when you know that there's boys that are pushing up from underneath," Buckley said. "We haven't had that for the early part of the year." A SEVEN-goal opening quarter blitz enabled Collingwood to upset Geelong at the MCG and keep its slim finals hopes alive. Although the disappointing Cats responded, the 44-point quarter-time margin accurately reflected the Magpies early domination. For the second week in succession, the Magpies kept the opposition goalless in an opening term (the first time they have done that since rounds 17 and 18 in 1960), beating the Cats with their speed and outside run. Jesse White was a major factor in the early burst, kicking two goals for the quarter and establishing a presence in the Collingwood forward line The Cats rallied to draw within eight points with 14 minutes remaining in the game, but their hopes of a miraculous victory were snuffed out when the Magpies went coast-to-coast from a Jeremy Howe kick-in to a Brodie Grundy goal. It was the Magpies third kick-in goal for the match. Collingwood eventually ran out winners 16.8 (104) to 10.14 (74). Collingwood put fierce pressure on in the opening quarter with 11 more tackles and 26 more disposals than Geelong. It won the battle outside the contest with 23 more uncontested possessions and 12 extra handballs received. The Cats regrouped after quarter-time but when they missed three consecutive set shots just before half-time – with Jimmy Bartel, Patrick Dangerfield and Daniel Menzel the culprits – it seemed as though it was going to be Collingwood's day. Geelong kept coming, lifting its intensity inside the contest, but it could not convert its chances, making many errors inside 50 and seeming to blow gilt edged chances to kick goals. When it did look threatening and capable of creating some momentum, the Magpies were able to find an answer, with Scott Pendlebury, who kicked three goals, important as a steadying influence particularly in the third quarter. Magpies recruit Jeremy Howe was excellent in defence in his best game since joining the club from Melbourne, and Steele Sidebottom controlled the outside of the contest in his 150th. Young Magpies ruckman Brodie Grundy was instrumental in helping Collingwood in the centre clearances and had a big influence on the match, with the Cats' much-vaunted ruck duo of Rhys Stanley and Zac Smith having a down day. Jimmy Bartel was Geelong's best player, intercepting many Magpie attacks, but too little was left to too few and, with Collingwood's Levi Greenwood quelling Joel Selwood's influence, a spark was missing. It was a strong response from Collingwood, which has now won five of its past seven games against Geelong, while the Cats looked flat after two big wins against Adelaide and West Coast. MEDICAL ROOM Collingwood: Ben Sinclair was ruled out with concussion after receiving a slight knock at training on Thursday and the Magpies decided not to risk him, but he may be available against the Western Bulldogs. NEXT UP Collingwood will see if they can keep the momentum going against a dangerous opponent in the Western Bulldogs. It lost both games to the Bulldogs last season but had a good record against them before that. NEXT FIVE Footscray, Port Adelaide, Melbourne, Fremantle, Carlton "Clearly, when you (almost) get back to evening up the ledger with your wins and losses, and you perform against one of the sides that is performing as well as any in the first two months, it tells the story that your best is capable. It is not confidence — it is work rate; preparedness to work; trust in the plan; trust in yourself; and trust in your teammates. We are back in the season now ... we come up against the Bulldogs next week and we welcome any test, if we are prepared to bring that effort and work rate. We just had a quality win against a quality opposition." Nathan Buckley |
COLLINGWOOD coach Nathan Buckley is confident if his rejuvenated team can consistently bring the work ethic and endeavour used to down flag favourites Geelong that it can match it with any side in what is an exceptionally even AFL season. While Buckley isn't prepared to say his team is back on track after a painful start to 2016, he is looking forward to seeing if the Magpies can bring the same intensity against the Western Bulldogs at the MCG next Sunday. He said the stark difference between the club's early season form and back-to-back wins in the past fortnight showed their barometer is pure hard work rather than personnel and confidence. "Clearly, when you (almost) get back to evening up the ledger with your wins and losses, and you perform against one of the sides that is performing as well as any in the first two months, it tells the story that your best is capable," Buckley said after Saturday's 24-point upset win. "It is not confidence — it is work rate; preparedness to work; trust in the plan; trust in yourself; and trust in your teammates. "We are back in the season now ... we come up against the Bulldogs next week and we welcome any test, if we are prepared to bring that effort and work rate. "We just had a quality win against a quality opposition." The Magpies won only two of its first seven games, but have now wrested the ledger back to 4-5 ahead of Sunday's clash with Western Bulldogs. Buckley said he was impressed by the seven-goal-to-nil opening term against the highly-rated Cats, but was just as pleased with the way they fought out the challenge that was always going to come. Having been 44 points in front at quarter-time, the lead was whittled back to only eight points at the eight-minute-mark of the last term before the Magpies rallied to stretch the final margin back out to four goals. Part of that was due to Collingwood's preparedness to keep attacking in the last quarter rather than trying to shut the game down, which was a key focus of the three-quarter-time discussions. "We needed to stay aggressive and keep attacking," he said. "We were able to keep our heads under real pressure. We were able to stay in the moment and make the right decisions more often than not." One of those moments came when ever-improving US recruit Mason Cox found himself in space almost 20 minutes into the last term. He took a wonky bounce, but slotted through what turned out to the match-sealing goal. "I said to him, 'you won't know about this, but (this week) you will get a split screen vision of Justin Madden running down the wing and kicking a goal (in 1993)," the coach said. "He should have handballed over the top, but he showed a bit of composure for a bloke who is relatively new to the game. It was just as well he kicked it." Buckley was delighted with Levi Greenwood's role on Joel Selwood, pleased with Brodie Grundy's effort in the ruck, and was relieved to have a more settled back six at the moment, with Ben Reid back in the side and Jeremy Howe playing his best game for the club. Any AFL side these days is capable of stunning another more fancied opponent with a quick burst when the favourite is slightly off their game. But it takes a pretty reasonable outfit to do that then subsequently hold off the favourite on three separate occasions when the heavyweight's engine starts to click into gear. That's what Collingwood did to Geelong at the MCG, the Magpies' first quarter blitz certainly a novelty, but the staunch resistance when the Cats did eventually fire up perhaps even more convincing evidence that there's plenty of life left in the Pies' season yet. Particularly at the most critical juncture, when after having led by as much as 44 points early, the Magpies found themselves just eight points to the good in the last term with a good 15 minutes left on the clock. Here, finally, was the sort of resilience Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley had been searching for as a season which began with much hype about the Pies' prospects threatened to spiral completely out of control. Not that the dash and flair which preceded it was any less impressive. Collingwood started like a train. It took them into the eighth minute to post their first goal, but once the ice was broken, the scores came quickly, and consistently. Jesse White, working hard for plenty of reward, had the first, skipper Scott Pendlebury the second after a strong tackle from Jarryd Blair forced the spillage. Two to Alex Fasolo in a 90-second burst underlined that not only were the Cats a little off their game, but that the Pies were red-hot. Collingwood's defensive mindset, a problem all season, was superb early in this game, the Pies having doubled Geelong on the tackle count by the first break despite having the bulk of possession. Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom were finding space everywhere, Jack Crisp a handy midfield ally. Adam Treloar ran ahead to capitalise on their hard work and a goal on the run made it five-goals-plus. The inspiration was coming everywhere, Travis Varcoe burning off Tom Ruggles. In defence, Ben Reid mowed down Rhys Stanley as the mobile Cat was heading goalward, and on the rebound, a clever handball from Pendlebury sent Crisp in for another major. By the time White goalled after the siren, the margin was 44 points, and Geelong looking sick indeed. Still, you thoughts the Cats would come at some stage, and they duly did. Steven Motlop bananed one from the pocket. Daniel Menzel dobbed one from outside 50 and the gap was gettable once more. But Collingwood wasn't about to start playing "my turn, your turn". Pendlebury and youngster Ben Crocker restored the Pies' equilibrium. And the Cats were hardly helping themselves. In three minutes before the half-time siren, Geelong muffed not just one chance to get back on track, but three, and all from unlikely sources. Jimmy Bartel missed the first gettable shot at goal. Patrick Dangerfield, almost incredibly, followed suit after marking just 15 metres out. And Menzel, from further afield, hit the post. Dangerfield, like last week, was picking up sufficient touches without necessarily having a huge influence. Joel Selwood was being held in relative check by Levi Greenwood. And it was hard to see from where else Geelong would find sufficient inspiration. The second quarter plot was more or less repeated in the third term, too, as the Cats clearly upped the ante in the pressure stakes. Jimmy Bartel dominated across half-back. Tom Hawkins, invisible early, took his first mark of the match. A tremendous bit of courage from Shane Kersten, running headlong into a contest, caused spills from which Darcy Lang goalled. A few minutes later, Hawkins had one on the board as well, like Lang, recovering to snap from close range after a fumble, Bartel's subtle tap starting the chain of possession. Suddenly, it was back to 21 points. But still the biggest stars struggled. Dangerfield missed another shot. Selwood, almost into time-on, had been held by Greenwood to just one disposal for the entire term. And after Bews inexplicably attempted to duck out of two tackles within 20 metres of goal, the brilliant Pendlebury casually slotted his third goal of the day, and any Magpie jitters abated once more. The biggest show of defiance, however, came right when it was most required. Hawkins now suddenly presented the huge threat expected. He had the first goal of the last quarter on the board within 40 seconds. A costly slip from Ben Reid allowed Kersten to gift Rhys Stanley another. Hawkins outbodied Jack Frost, and kicked straight again. When Mitch Duncan narrowly missed a chance to make it only three points the difference, surely all the smart money was on the Cats. But one final time, Collingwood kicked. From that very behind, the Pies went coast-to-coast, Brodie Grundy offering some breathing space. Darcy Moore converted a big mark after Travis Varcoe had nailed old teammate Harry Taylor in possession. And the sealer was spectacular, the big American Mason Cox doing his own latter-day version of Ray Gabelich's run in the 1964 grand final, a wobbly bounce at least coming back, his shot on the run nonetheless dead straight. It was no less than he and his teammates deserved. They'd done the hard work against an opponent that on this day at least, wasn't prepared to get its hands as dirty. Given the precarious state of their season, Collingwood had no choice but to do so. And having reaped the rewards, who's to say they're not capable of harvesting plenty more yet. |
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