Collingwood has survived a major scare from Jeremy Cameron and Greater Western Sydney on the way to a far from easy 40-point win.
Cameron again showed his potential to become an all-time AFL great by kicking his first seven-goal haul, and he was clearly best afield in the twilight match on Saturday at the MCG.
The Magpies only led by two points at three-quarter time, but kicked six goals to one in the final term to win 15.16 (106) to 10.6 (66).
Midfielders Dane Swan and Dayne Beams were best for the Magpies with 39 and 37 disposals respectively.
A loss would have been disastrous for the Magpies, who are only two games inside the top eight.
Vote for your top three players following Saturday's win to help decide who will take home the Magpie Army Player of the Year Award.
GWS remain winless, but were impressive for much of Saturday's match.
Cameron kicked the Giants' first five goals and now has 50 goals for the season, putting him third on the Coleman Medal tally.
It was the last game at the MCG as a player or coach for Giants mentor Kevin Sheedy.
Collingwood forward Ben Reid kicked the first goal of the game inside the opening minute, but Cameron replied soon after.
GWS suffered an early blow when key defender Tim Mohr was knocked out in a marking contest.
His replacement Adam Kennedy was also forced off the field in the third term because of a blow to the head, but returned to the field.
Teammate Will Hoskin-Elliott was concussed in the final term, the game held up for some minutes as the young Giant received medical treatment on the ground.
It became evident early in the first term this was going to be no cakewalk for Collingwood as Cameron fired and the Giants sniffed an opportunity.
Nathan Brown did not last on Cameron for long, with Keeffe moved onto the in-form forward before the end of the opening term.
A late goal to Beams meant the Magpies only trailed by four points at quarter-time, but they were clearly misfiring.
Mark Whiley performed a disciplined lockdown role on star Collingwood onballer Scott Pendlebury, and generally the Magpies lacked intensity.
Coach Nathan Buckley started coaching from the boundary line during the second term, his body language as he prowled the dugout reflecting a growing sense of concern for Collingwood.
Cameron continued to be the only Giants goalscorer when he put through his fifth early in the second.
Midway through the term, a undisciplined attempt to shepherd by Ben Sinclair at a kick-out meant a free kick to Devon Smith, who became the Giants' second goalkicker.
Dylan Shiel goaled on the run to give GWS an improbable 16-point lead at halftime.
Nothing symbolised Collingwood's plight more than the pro-Magpies crowd booing as the players left the field at halftime.
Collingwood kicked three goals in the opening three minutes of the third term to regain the lead, but the young GWS side did not give in, with Cameron kicking two goals in the term.
His second goal of the quarter was a beauty. With Lachlan Keeffe pressuring him, Cameron calmly tapped the ball ahead, hugging the boundary line before leaving Keeffe in his wake and goaling on the run.
GWS regained the lead 19 minutes into the term, but a goal to Jamie Elliott two minutes later meant the Magpies were in front at the last change.
The Magpies kicked six goals to nil in the last quarter as the lead stretched out to 40 points, but after last week's loss to Gold Coast there is plenty for the club to work on in the lead in to finals.
Buckley said the Pies' first half was as bad as they have played this season.
"We were minus 17 in contested ball so it was really poor," he said. "You've got to give credit to the young players of GWS … Our work rate improved in the second half and we were a lot better after that …
"We're not playing our best footy. We need to go up a couple of rungs. We're under no illusions about that."
Sheedy was disappointed with the result but pleased with his side's development.
"The boys were very committed and it was probably one of our better performances on the MCG, not that we've played here a lot," he said.
"Our contested ball we were pretty good at, we moved the ball quite well, our kicking early was very, very good and some of our players were very courageous today, going for some balls that probably a lot of players might not have gone for over the years that I've coached."
1. 'Jezza', you beauty!
Giants' spearhead Jeremy Cameron has produced some special efforts in his brief AFL career, but his game against the Magpies will take some beating. The 20-year-old kicked goals with each of his first seven kicks by midway through the third quarter. He slotted the Giants' first five goals by the five-minute mark of the second term and kept his side in the contest with two quick ones in the third quarter. He showcased various modes of goalkicking: a booming set shot, a bouncing run and finish, a brilliant gather and snap. He also handballed one off to Tom Scully when he could have kicked his eighth. He isn’t the Next Big Thing; he's already fast becoming The Biggest Thing.
2. What's wrong with the Pies?
Just when they were widely tipped to press for a top-four berth and boost their flagging percentage, the Pies have struggled against the AFL's two newest teams in successive weeks. A shock loss to Gold Coast last week was expected to produce a manic response against the winless Giants, but for much of the match the cellar dwellers were the cleaner, classier, harder and more organised team. Sure, the Pies are missing key players but they also have serious issues. Their spot in the top eight is starting to look increasingly shaky.
3. The unveiling of the Pies' prized draft pick
One major positive for Collingwood is that they have found a potential superstar ruckman. Sporting a Sumo-wrestler-style bun atop his head and with the famous No. 35 of Collingwood greats Peter Daicos and Simon Prestigiacomo – as is now customary for the club's top draft pick in his first year – Brodie Grundy became the Pies' eighth debutant this season. (They blooded seven last year.) The athletic South Australian was widely regarded as a steal at pick 18, and could form a dominant ruck combination with fellow youngster Jarrod Witts. We got a great glimpse of the future, with Grundy starting in the ruck and displaying a spectacular leap, sure ball handling, great mobility and aggression. The commentators are already calling him "Reg".
4. The return of Harry O
Until his recent three-match layoff as he dealt with personal issues, Harry O'Brien hadn’t been sidelined for consecutive games since mid-2007. Little wonder there was some fanfare when he ran onto the field for the warm-up. The section of the crowd closest to the Pies applauded as O'Brien broke from the group and jogged towards them. There was even a mini-chant of "Harry … Harry … Harry". O'Brien was a bit rusty, especially with some of his short passing, but he galloped and provided some much-needed life to a side almost bereft of spark in the first half. His running goal early in the third term lifted the Magpie army.
5. Sheedy's final bow at the MCG
It was the 372nd and final time that Kevin Sheedy will grace the MCG. His record tally comprises 132 games (including four grand finals and three premierships) as a Richmond player and 240 (seven grand finals and four flags) as a coach of Essendon and the Giants. It's an effort that will probably never be surpassed, with the next-best on the hallowed turf being Mick Malthouse (285), Norm Smith (254), Kevin Bartlett (241) and Ron Barassi (219). The Giants' banner rightly paid tribute to "a giant of the game". For a while it looked like he might get the triumphant finale he was dreaming of against old enemy Collingwood, but he certainly enjoyed one last joust at the 'G.
COLLINGWOOD has survived a major scare from Jeremy Cameron and Greater Western Sydney on the way to a far from easy 40-point win.
Cameron again showed his potential to become an all-time AFL great by kicking his first seven-goal haul, and he was clearly best afield in the twilight match on Saturday at the MCG.
The Magpies only led by two points at three-quarter time, but kicked six goals to one in the final term to win 15.16 (106) to 10.6 (66).
Midfielders Dane Swan and Dayne Beams were best for the Magpies with 39 and 37 disposals respectively.
A loss would have been disastrous for the Magpies, who are only two games inside the top eight.
GWS remain winless, but were impressive for much of Saturday's match.
Cameron kicked the Giants' first five goals and now has 50 goals for the season, putting him third on the Coleman Medal tally.
It was the last game at the MCG as a player or coach for Giants mentor Kevin Sheedy.
Collingwood forward Ben Reid kicked the first goal of the game inside the opening minute, but Cameron replied soon after.
GWS suffered an early blow when key defender Tim Mohr was knocked out in a marking contest.
His replacement Adam Kennedy was also forced off the field in the third term because of a blow to the head, but returned to the field.
Teammate Will Hoskin-Elliott was concussed in the final term, the game held up for some minutes as the young Giant received medical treatment on the ground.
It became evident early in the first term this was going to be no cakewalk for Collingwood as Cameron fired and the Giants sniffed an opportunity.
Nathan Brown did not last on Cameron for long, with Keeffe moved onto the in-form forward before the end of the opening term.
A late goal to Beams meant the Magpies only trailed by four points at quarter-time, but they were clearly misfiring.
Mark Whiley performed a disciplined lockdown role on star Collingwood onballer Scott Pendlebury, and generally the Magpies lacked intensity.
Coach Nathan Buckley started coaching from the boundary line during the second term, his body language as he prowled the dugout reflecting a growing sense of concern for Collingwood.
Cameron continued to be the only Giants goalscorer when he put through his fifth early in the second.
Midway through the term, a undisciplined attempt to shepherd by Ben Sinclair at a kick-out meant a free kick to Devon Smith, who became the Giants' second goalkicker.
Dylan Shiel goaled on the run to give GWS an improbable 16-point lead at halftime.
Nothing symbolised Collingwood's plight more than the pro-Magpies crowd booing as the players left the field at halftime.
Collingwood kicked three goals in the opening three minutes of the third term to regain the lead, but the young GWS side did not give in, with Cameron kicking two goals in the term.
His second goal of the quarter was a beauty. With Lachlan Keeffe pressuring him, Cameron calmly tapped the ball ahead, hugging the boundary line before leaving Keeffe in his wake and goaling on the run.
GWS regained the lead 19 minutes into the term, but a goal to Jamie Elliott two minutes later meant the Magpies were in front at the last change.
The Magpies kicked six goals to nil in the last quarter as the lead stretched out to 40 points, but after last week's loss to Gold Coast there is plenty for the club to work on in the lead in to finals.
Buckley said the Pies' first half was as bad as they have played this season.
"We were minus 17 in contested ball so it was really poor," he said. "You've got to give credit to the young players of GWS … Our work rate improved in the second half and we were a lot better after that …
"We're not playing our best footy. We need to go up a couple of rungs. We're under no illusions about that."
Sheedy was disappointed with the result but pleased with his side's development.
"The boys were very committed and it was probably one of our better performances on the MCG, not that we've played here a lot," he said.
"Our contested ball we were pretty good at, we moved the ball quite well, our kicking early was very, very good and some of our players were very courageous today, going for some balls that probably a lot of players might not have gone for over the years that I've coached." |
Collingwood supporters are, rightly or not, renowned for their one-eyed view of matches involving their club. But even they were able to appreciate an instance of a young player, Jeremy Cameron, giving more evidence he could be a once-in-a-generation spearhead.
By the 28-minute mark of the first quarter at the MCG on Saturday the 20-year-old had scored all four of Greater Western Sydney's goals against the Magpies. Two minutes later he was on the cusp of his fifth as he ran with the flight of a long pass forward that looked destined to land in his arms, despite the presence of a Collingwood defender on either side.
When Magpies captain Nick Maxwell thrust out his fist to thwart a mark for Cameron at the top of the goalsquare it prompted a reaction that sounded suspiciously like a collective groan from the Magpies-dominated crowd.
Within five minutes of the restart Cameron had his fifth goal, and a new opponent as Nathan Brown was demoted for Lachlan Keeffe. Notionally it was Collingwood versus Cameron, but the precociously talented forward had able supporters in the likes of Dylan Shiel, Taylor Adams and dependable captain Callan Ward. It was utterly deserved that the AFL's only win-less team went to half-time with a 16-point lead over league heavyweight Collingwood on its own turf, prompting boos from its stunned supporters.
The reaction of the crowd of 32,691 was unsurprising considering what its players had produced from their 112 kicks, a total of 30 points, equalled what Cameron had contributed from just five.
At the main break Collingwood's only area of superiority was for inside-50s, although that was not significant because its delivery to Travis Cloke and Ben Reid was poor. For contested possession and inside 50s the callow Giants led the fancied Magpies, whose general lack of intensity was conspicuous.
Just how much more the Magpies had to give was evident with their devastating start to the second half. After managing only four goals across the 59 minutes of the first half they matched that feat in the first five of the second to reclaim the lead, thanks to Dane Swan, Cloke, Steele Sidebottom and Harry O'Brien.
The response of the Giants to that barrage was admirable. By that stage they had already ensured they would leave the MCG with plaudits, courtesy of their shock half-time lead.
Rather than a blow-out, however, GWS responded with the next three goals to reclaim the lead. While that was surprising what was not surprising that two of those came from the boot of Cameron, for a total of seven, the career-best tally he finished with.
What makes Cameron such an excellent prospect is that his success is not one-dimensional. His marking is assured, his accuracy kicking for goal even more so. He also boasts pace, which he proved when he dispossessed Keeffe in the Giants' forward pocket and sprinted into an open goal.
Despite that personal success he also demonstrated his team-first work ethic by leading all the way to the half-back flank and then laying a shepherd for a teammate when the ball was beyond his grasp.
The Giants held a lead heading into time-on in the third-quarter before Collingwood's match-sealing riposte, which consisted of the last seven goals of the match, started by substitute Jamie Elliott's long-range goal five minutes after his entry.
Coach Nathan Buckley returned to the boundary line for the second time in the match, but in much better circumstances than when he first prematurely left the coach's box mid-way through the second quarter. Swan and Sidebottom were among the Magpies' best, and it was fitting both were among the goalkickers as they swarmed the exhausted Giants.
The final margin of 40 was not too far short of what the Magpies would have expected before the match, but it did not do justice to the Giants' effort. While it was the league newcomer's 17th consecutive loss for the season this undoubtedly rivalled their most credible of those losses.
BRISTLING BUCKS
GWS went to quarter-time with a five-point lead, but it was when it increased its superiority over Collingwood in the second quarter that Magpies coach Nathan Buckley demonstrated his ire. As the Giants' Devon Smith converted from the goal square just before time-on, Buckley left the coach's box and spent the rest of the quarter stalking the boundary line. It didn't lift the Magpies, as the Giants kicked a further goal to go to the main break with a 16-point lead.
KUDOS FOR KENNEDY
It did not count for much on the stats sheet but Giants midfielder Adam Kennedy provided one of the most memorable moments in the match. Approaching three-quarter-time the Magpies' substitute, Jamie Elliott, streamed inside 50 and was poised to kick his second goal, only for Kennedy to burst in from the side to lay an exceptional goal-thwarting tackle on him. While Kennedy was rewarded with a free kick he also had to leave the ground dazed after Elliott landed on his head.
O'BRIEN RUSTY
Harry O'Brien's return from a much-publicised three-week absence will not rank among his most polished performances. The dashing flanker had little trouble finding the ball but was imprecise with many of his 21 possessions. He did, however, play a part in Collingwood's stunning start to the second half, kicking the last of four goals within the first five minutes to reclaim the lead from the Giants.
COLLINGWOOD coach Nathan Buckley has conceded his team must lift its work-rate and shed its inconsistency if it is to be a contender this season.
Speaking after yesterday's less-than-impressive 40-point win over Greater Western Sydney, he said matches against Essendon, Sydney and Hawthorn over the next 19 days would provide a real indication of where the Magpies are at right now.
"After last week (against Gold Coast) the 'W' (win) is all that mattered to be honest,'' Buckley said.
"We're not flash , we're not playing our best footy... we're under no illusions (as) to where we're at.
"That first half is as poor as we've played all year. The second half redeemed it partially, but it doesn't have us much better placed.
"We've seen enough evidence over the past month that when we're not on our game that we're easy to beat, and when we are on our game we're really hard to beat. We've got to get more of the latter and less of the former.''
The Magpies might have to do that without versatile key position player Ben Reid, who rolled an ankle late yesterday, and must be in doubt to take on the Bombers next Sunday.
Buckley said he was confident Luke Ball, a late withdrawal yesterday, would overcome a calf problem to play.
Collingwood trailed Greater Western Sydney - a team yet to win a game this season - by 16 points at half-time, with Giants forward Jeremy Cameron dominant.
Cameron, a one-time Magpie supporter, was likened to a young Lance Franklin by Buckley after kicking seven goals.
"I've likened him a bit to a Buddy Franklin-type who can impact in the air but (who) does just as much damage on the ground with his follow-up,'' he said.
"That's a big rap, but when a bloke's kicked seven goals on you out of 10, he's obviously performed pretty well.''
Buckley was so frustrated by his team's performance in the first half that he came to bench to get a closer look during the second term.
"I won't do it again because it's really not the best place to see the game,'' he said.
Buckley is confident extra game-time for the likes of Dayne Beams, Tyson Goldsack and Lachlan Keeffe, as well as Harry O'Brien's return will boost his team.
He was pleased with the efforts of young ruckman Jarrod Witts and first-gamer Brodie Grundy, who was lively.
"We'll be tested from this point on, and we look forward to those tests,'' he said.
"We've got to go up another couple of rungs to even be able to compete.''
Buckley admitted he was disappointed with Matthew Scarlett's criticism of Magpie skipper Nick Maxwell in his recent autobiography.
"Maxy is held in the highest esteem internally,'' he said. "If I was heading for the fiction section, I'd probably head for 'Speccy Magee' before I went for 'Hold The Line'. I'll leave it at that.''
GWS coach Kevin Sheedy said of Cameron: "He's a very, very, very, very good player early doors . . . just as exciting as the players I've coached over the years like (Terry) Daniher, (Roger) Merrett and (Paul) Salmon and (Paul) Vander Haar, and lately (Scott) Lucas and (Matthew) Lloyd, those sort of boys.''
He said the Giants needed to carry their solid form over into Saturday's match with Melbourne, which looms as a real chance to win their first game of 2013.
"We'll just play like we have been playing. We've played some good footy in the past month, except for the Swans.''
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