COLLINGWOOD 4.2.26 8.3.51 12.5.77 14.8.92
ESSENDON 3.2.20 9.5.59 11.7.73 14.11.95
SCORERS - Collingwood: Fasolo (2.1), Blair (2.0), Kennedy (2.0), White (2.0), Moore (1.1), Adams (1.0), Crisp (1.0), Elliott (1.0), Greenwood (1.0), Reid (1.0), Pendlebury (0.2), Scharenberg (0.1), Sidebottom (0.1)
BEST - Collingwood: Adams, Sidebottom, White, Fasolo, Marsh, Reid
INJURIES - Collingwood: Brown (cut head)
SUBSTITUTES - Collingwood: Alan Toovey replaced Brodie Grundy in the third quarter
REPORTS: Nil
OFFICIAL CROWD: 42,270 at the MCG
| 1.Hocking the hero With the Bombers pressing in the tense final stages of the game, it was Heath Hocking to deliver the killer blow that sealed Essendon's seventh victory of the season. After Orazio Fantasia took the game on through the middle of the ground, the ball was swung down to an unopposed Hocking who marked the ball inside 50. He took the bit between the teeth and drilled the ball from 40m to nail the match-clinching goal. He then backed it up and won the all-important clearance to allow the Bombers to milk the clock in the final stages of the match. It capped a terrific game for the negating midfielder (23 touches), who ended the season on a high after a frustrating year due to injury. 2. Bombs away? Was the final game of the year against the Pies also Jake Carlisle's final game at Essendon? The out-of-contract utility has garnered plenty of interest from opposition clubs, with North Melbourne, Carlton and the Western Bulldogs reportedly leading the pack for his signature. After spending much of the year as a forward, Carlisle seems to have enjoyed his shift to the backline in recent weeks. The 23-year-old looked assured across half-back, where he can see the play developing in front of him. Carlisle will be a big loss if he decides to test the market in this year's trade period. 3. Adams finishes the season full of running Much has been made of the changing face of Collingwood's midfield group in 2015, with Levi Greenwood and Jack Crisp among those to step up and assist Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom. But it has been the continual development, highlighted by an end-of-season purple patch, of Taylor Adams that has been most impressive. After notching 36 disposals in a best afield performance against Geelong last week, Adams backed it up against Essendon with 33 touches and seven clearances. In his second season at the Magpies, Adams has become one of the elite inside midfielders in the competition. |
4.Fasolo's radar off-target Alex Fasolo did not have any issues finding the football – in fact he was dangerous up forward for much of the game. But his ability to finish in front of goal, which was once a key asset, appears to have deserted him. Criticised for missing a couple of clutch goals in the loss to Hawthorn earlier in the season, Fasolo was again inaccurate against the Bombers. The small forward kicked 2.1 but sprayed a number of shots wide of the mark as he operated at 40 per cent goal accuracy. It will be something he and the Magpies will be hoping to clean up in the off-season. 5.Stanton fires as he seeks new contract Bombers veteran Brent Stanton is in discussion with the club about a new contract and his form against Collingwood was certainly a huge boost in that pursuit. Stanton worked overtime to provide an option forward of the ball, booting three goals in the second quarter alone. Renowned for his aerobic capacity since making his debut in 2004, the 29-year-old collected 30 disposals at 73.3 per cent efficiency. A favourite of former coach James Hird, Stanton proved he is far from a spent force with a superb game against the Magpies. .... it has been the continual development, highlighted by an end-of-season purple patch, of Taylor Adams that has been most impressive. After notching 36 disposals in a best afield performance against Geelong last week, Adams backed it up against Essendon with 33 touches and seven clearances. In his second season at the Magpies, Adams has become one of the elite inside midfielders in the competition. |
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Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley says while the Magpies could have taken "a bigger step" in 2015, he's been able to learn which players are capable of standing up on the AFL stage throughout their up and down season. The Pies lost their seventh contest by three goals or less on Sunday when they went down to Essendon by three points at the MCG. It was an inexperienced Collingwood side, with Alan Toovey's status as the substitute meaning the starting 21 was the youngest line-up the Pies have produced this year. Buckley said while it was disappointing they were unable to close out so many tight contests, overall they'd found "more pieces of the puzzle" when looking ahead to the future. "I think in the end '15 was always a step towards where we wanted to get to, it was always going to be – how big a step that was, was going to be our challenge," Buckley said. "We could have taken a bigger step, there's no doubt, but I think we've learned about the players who can and who can't, about our capacity and the fact we've competed against the best sides but we just haven't been able to get over the top of them. "Where we settle in the ladder for 2015 will be an accurate reflection, and it's a pretty competitive environment. "On any given day, you need to be at your best to win them and we've shown our best is good enough to win them and we need to be able to produce it consistently, and that's going to be the challenge through the next couple of season." Buckley believes the abolishment of the sub rule and reduction of interchange cap to 90 rotations a game will have a "significant impact" on personnel and strategy employed for games. The Pies will look at how best to attack those changes over the off-season, while looking to stock up on players who can help connect their offence and defence, with their "grunt" in good shape. They've been linked heavily to Adam Treloar and James Aish, with Buckley expecting the club to be aggressive in securing such talent to increase their depth. "The large part of our improvement is going to come from within the playing list," he said. "We've invested heavily in youth in the last two or three drafts but what the last 12 months has given us is a greater understanding of our depths in certain areas, and maybe some areas we need to be stronger. "We'll keep chasing players we think are going to make us better in the long term and fit the profile we're looking at, which is to be competitive from next year for the next five, six. "Most of our recruiting drives will be around that." First though, they need to work on securing the signatures of young guns Matthew Scharenberg and Nathan Freeman, who are coming out of their initial two-year draftee contracts. Buckley said the only concern was that "they haven't signed yet" but felt the signs were positive." All indications are really strong they're keen to remain at the club," he said."It's just a matter of coming to the right number." ESSENDON have finished their AFL year to forget on a high, downing traditional rivals Collingwood by three points in barnstorming finish to the home and away season. Heath Hocking kicked the last two goals of the match to push the Bombers to a 14.11 (95) to 14.8 (92) victory at the MCG. The thrilling finish handed caretaker coach Matthew Egan a winning finish to his tenure, snapping a seven-game losing streak and promising better things to come for the Bombers. After spending much of the second half behind, Hocking put the Bombers ahead with less than 90 seconds to play. There was an end-of-school feel to the match with just 40,270 in attendance - the lowest crowd to this fixture since it was last played at Windy Hill in 1988. With neither playing finals in 2015, it was being played for skittles rather than sheep stations. But in the last quarter it didn’t feel that way, with the Bombers holding on to condemn their rivals to a 10-12 season record. The Magpies were 10 points ahead when Alex Fasolo found an early major, and looked home when he had another shot at goal. But the West Australian blazed his shot out on the full and the Bombers surged back into the contest. Set shot majors from Cale Hooker and Hocking either side of Darcy Moore’s reply set up the show-stopping finish. Shaun Edwards and Joe Daniher, who was concussed earlier in the match, missed chances to steal back the lead in the frenetic circumstances. Up stepped Hocking, who found space in the pocket and kicked truly to ensure that, for at least one day in September, the Bombers were winners. KEY STATS
As Taylor Adams reflects on his second year in black and white, he must finally feel like a vital member of Collingwood's midfield.
After having to cement his place in the middle in 2014, this year Adams has become one of the Magpies most prolific ball winners. He capped off a fine season with a team-high 33 disposals against the Bombers, including 13 contested possessions and seven clearances. It marks the sixth time this season Adams has totalled 30 possessions or more. Only club stalwarts Scott Pendlebury and Dane Swan done so more times. Sunday's three-point loss to Essendon also held statistical value for midfielder Ben Kennedy. Having played just four AFL games this season, Kennedy's 15 disposals was his highest tally of the year. He also kicked his first two goals of 2015 and equalled the second highest goalkicking tally of his career. As the most-subbed player in Collingwood history, Kennedy will no doubt be happy to see the back of the substitutes rule at the end of this season. However after Sunday's form, the fact that he will no longer be forced to wear the green vest may not be the only reason he may face extended going forward. "I think in the end '15 was always a step towards where we wanted to get to, it was always going to be – how big a step that was, was going to be our challenge. Nathan Buckley |
AFTER a trying season, Essendon fans finally have reason to smile with the Bombers stealing a thrilling three-point victory from Collingwood at the MCG on Sunday afternoon. As the sun set on the 2015 home and away season, a healthy crowd of 40,270 watched as Heath Hocking sealed the Bombers' first win since round 15 - 14.11 (95) to 14.8 (92) Hocking kicked a goal with less than a minute-and-a-half on the clock to give the Dons the match-winning lead, before the ball was pushed to the Pies' attacking end as the siren approached. But a free kick was awarded to Cale Hooker in a marking contest as the Pies went inside 50 with 23 seconds left, which saw the ball end up on the city side wing as the siren rang. It was welcome relief for the Bombers, who hadn't tasted victory under interim coach Matt Egan and have endured a rough season dogged by the on-going ASADA and WADA situation, and the resignation of coach James Hird. Their sixth win for the season was led by Brent Stanton, who collected 30 disposals and kicked three goals, all of which came in the second quarter. Dyson Heppell was also important for the Bombers with 28 and eight clearances, while promoted rookie Shaun McKernan was excellent in the ruck and around the ground. Hocking was influential with three goals, none more important than his second and third – the last two of the game - that stole the win after the Pies led for much of the second half. After the first quarter went goal for goal, the Bombers' first move came early in the second when they kicked three unanswered majors. Stanton put together a terrific term, equalling his career-best goal haul with three; the third of which was set up by Joe Daniher after a remarkable comeback from a first-term head knock in the opening minute. Daniher was on the ground for a few minutes after crashing into both Ben Reid and Taylor Adams, but returned to the field for the second term after serving 20 minutes as the concussion substitute. While Stanton threatened to blow the lacklustre Pies away, Ben Kennedy did well up the other end to boot two goals for the term and keep his team in it. Still, a lack of pressure and the alarming statistic of just 17 tackles to half-time showed the Pies were a long way off the team that surprised Geelong last round. Four Magpie goals in a row in the third quarter turned a 14-point deficit after Hocking nailed the term's opener into a nine-point lead. Adams was influential in the quarter with a hand in the first two goals as the Pies looked to have regained control over the contest. He was their best player with 33 disposals and seven clearances, while Steele Sidebottom was also prolific through the midfield. But they had no answers as the Bombers ground out the win to give themselves something to celebrate as they look towards the pre-season. The best thing about this match might be what it comes to mean, not what actually happened in it. There were plenty of goals, from a lot of open play. There weren't all that many tackles laid, by either side. This wasn't a match that would have caused anyone watching to drool at the skill level. There was nothing much at the end of Collingwood v Essendon at the MCG in round 23, 2015, though it was played with spirit and finished in a dramatic way. And it might not be without meaning forever. There can be a lag in what we see a team doing, and what we will see a side go on to do, with the Western Bulldogs perhaps this year's best example of that. Yes, they have a new coach and have blooded more kids than anyone this year. But Jake Stringer, Marcus Bontempelli and most of the players making them win more games than they lose now were there last year too. So to Essendon and Collingwood, who kept Sunday's game close enough for an entertaining, busy finish, Heath Hocking's third goal putting the Bombers three points in front with just under 90 seconds to go. He and his teammates were able to end a horrible season smiling, with their first win in a while. The Bombers may be a touch further back than Collingwood when it comes to piecing their next side together. For multiple reasons, this year did not turn out to be anything like they believed it would, and were planning for. But Jayden Laverde, Shaun Edwards and Kyle Langford have shown some positive glimpses since being given their chances in recent weeks. Zac Merrett will be around a long time. Irish rookie Conor McKenna plays like he wants to get better, quickly. Orazio Fantasia had his most encouraging game, his 27 possessions including 15 handball receives. He has what his team needs: run. Regardless of whether Jake Carlisle stays or goes, the Bombers have something every new coach would like to start building their team around: a spine that includes Cale Hooker, Michael Hurley and Joe Daniher. Collingwood's season didn't last as long as they wanted, either. But again, Darcy Moore looked exciting, athletic and like a very large part of Collingwood's future. Jordan De Goey was tough. Matthew Scharenberg got a fourth game under his belt and Jonathon Marsh did some more good things in defence. Brodie Grundy is only 21; Jamie Elliott, who spent some time up on a wing, is just 23. If the Pies are able to add Adam Treloar and James Aish to a group of young midfielders that includes Jack Crisp, Taylor Adams, Brayden Maynard and the unseen Nathan Freeman, they will be on their way. Nathan Buckley told his players after the game that it wouldn't simply happen from here, that they have learnt in recent weeks how hard it is to keep backing up every week, and how much it needs to be done. But he started seeing signs, even earlier than that, of what his team could become. "I think this season has shown us that. It mirrors last year in some shape or form, until you delve a little bit deeper and have a look at the analysis of it," Buckley said. "That is that we've been even younger again and we've found a few more pieces of the puzzle that are going to help us going forward. "I think we had low 40 games of experience on average across our side so it's a young side. Essendon were young as well but I think we were younger. "I think in the end 2015 was always a step towards where we want to get to. It was always going to be. How big a step that was was going to be our challenge. "We could have taken a bigger step, no doubt. But I think we've learned about the players - who can and who can't. "We've learnt about our capacity and we've competed against the best sides but we just haven't been able to get over the top of them. "Where we settle in the ladder for season 2015 will be an accurate reflection." In his few weeks in charge, Essendon's interim coach Matthew Egan had told his players that their enjoyment should not be based on whether they won or lost, but whether they played the way they knew they could and did the things they set out to do. But even he found it hard not to enjoy seeing them get to sing the song after such a long season and a seven-week wait for a win. "It's been a tough year for them. Just seeing them at the end, it was great reward for such a tough year," he said. "I think some of our young players really stood up. Jayden Laverde was strong again and He looks like a real man I reckon. He looks like a 25 year old, and he's 18 or 19. "Kyle Langford showed signs. Conor McKenna; I think he had 18 possessions, and he's been playing the game for 10 months. Joe Daniher comes back on and contributes. "There's some positive signs for the club. Those sort of wins just give a little bit of belief. "There's a lot of guys now that we think can play AFL. They just need some consistency to get more games into them, really." |
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