Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Injury List

Injury Update Tuesday, May 30, 2017
2017 AFL Round 11

COLLINGWOOD FREMANTLE

Time & Place:
Sunday June 4, 4:40pm EST
Subiaco Oval

TV:
Fox Footy 4:30pm EST

Weather:
Min 10 Max 21
Chance of rain 20%: < 1mm
Wind: S 15kph

Betting:
Collingwood $2.15
Fremantle $1.71
Player Injury Status
James Aish Cheekbone 1-2 weeks
Jesse White Hamstring 1-2 weeks
Rupert Wills Calf 1-2 weeks
Ben Reid Quad 3-4 weeks
Travis Varcoe Hamstring 3-4 weeks
Ben Sinclair Hamstring 5-6 weeks
Adam Oxley Hip/ groin 10-11 weeks


ON THE BLOCK: Not too many players deserving of the axe for the Pies after a patchy but still ultimately comfortable 45-point win over Brisbane. Matt Scharenberg wasn't eye catching but slotted in well in his 16-possession performance, while the borderline selections like Jarryd Blair pulled their weight.

ON THE CUSP: The Pies will be waiting for some of their wounded stars to return from injury rather than desperate to ring the changes. Josh Daicos was concussed in last week's VFL game, with no game for the Pies VFL side this weekend. James Aish is a fortnight away with his broken cheekbone, while Travis Varcoe and Ben Reid are both more than a fortnight away. So the Pies could go unchanged against Fremantle given the backline held up well. Henry Schade was dropped from the side for Scharenberg.

JON RALPH'S FORECAST: The Pies are 4-6 and at last within touching distance of the eight. Their last-gasp loss to GWS is both more meritorious and more painful given the past fortnight. The form of the Giants against West Coast was awesome — showing just how hard they are to beat — and a win against GWS would have put the Pies 5-5 and right in the mix. The Pies have lost their past five games at Subiaco Oval despite a reputation as a solid travelling side. But despite the inconsistent nature of the win over Brisbane, the midfield is in form and intact and the forward line is showing promise again. Alex Fasolo is at least getting the ball despite 2.4, Darcy Moore took 10 marks, Jamie Elliott is in fine form and Daniel Wells is the silk.

Monday, May 29, 2017

2017: LADDER ROUND 10

Pos Position    C Change from last round    P Played    W Won     L Lost    D Drawn    F Points for
A Points against    % Percentage    Form Past five results    Next Next opponent    Pts Points

Sunday, May 28, 2017

Round 10: Collingwood 129 Brisbane 84

2017 AFL Round 11

COLLINGWOOD
v
FREMANTLE
Time & Place:
Sunday June 4, 4:40pm EST
Subiaco Oval
TV:
Fox Footy 4:30pm EST
Weather:
Min 8 Max 20
Betting:
Collingwood $2.13 Fremantle $1.72
COLLINGWOOD   5.5.35   9.10.64   11.16.82   18.21.129
BRISBANE
          4.3.27    6.3.39     10.6.66       13.6.84

GOALS - Collingwood: Elliott 4, Moore 3, Fasolo 2, Wells 2, Treloar, Sidebottom, Smith, Maynard, Dunn, Broomhead, Adams

BEST - Collingwood: Pendlebury ,Treloar, Sidebottom, Adams, Elliott, Grundy

INJURIES - Collingwood: Moore (right shin)

REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil

OFFICIAL CROWD - 32,750 at the MCG



1. Blonds really do have more fun
Jamie Elliott caught the eye after he ran out with a new blond hairstyle. Combined with his flashy green boots, the small forward was hard to miss. His form leading into the game was impressive – he had booted three goals in four of his past five games after a left ankle injury kept him out of the side early in the season. Up against Darcy Gardiner on Sunday, Elliott reached that three-goal mark in the second quarter. Some of his pick-ups were exceptional as he twice collected the ball brilliantly off half-volleys in the first term. Maybe he likes playing with extra attention - he changed his footwear to a black pair at half-time after rain fell in the second quarter, but kicked just one more goal for the rest of the contest. "I try not to give too much critique on people's haircuts. I've been running with the same one for 25 years," Nathan Buckley quipped after the game. "You want to see your boys express themselves, largely on the footy field, but if he backs it up, that's all good."
2. Josh who?
Out-of-contract forward Josh Schache didn't play at any level this week after the second selection from the 2015 NAB AFL Draft went on leave. The Lions are adamant he wasn't given time off to decide his future, but it seems inevitable that Schache, who had been so keen to play at the Lions before being drafted after his late father Laurence lined up in 29 games for the Brisbane Bears, will leave at the end of the season. However, some of Eric Hipwood's efforts showed that Chris Fagan will be able to build a dangerous forward line. Hipwood drew comparisons to Lance Franklin and Joe Daniher in the first quarter when he picked up the footy off his toes, made a u-turn and booted it through for a goal from just outside 50. While the Queenslander had just six disposals, the big man again showed signs why many think he will be a star.
The Magpies struggle to score and came into the clash 15th for points per game. On Sunday, they had plenty of chances but often failed to finish off their work in front of goal. A dominant second quarter saw them win inside-50s 18-8 but they scored 4.5.
3. Collingwood can't kill the game
The Magpies struggle to score and came into the clash 15th for points per game. On Sunday, they had plenty of chances but often failed to finish off their work in front of goal. A dominant second quarter saw them win inside-50s 18-8 but they scored 4.5. It seemed Collingwood wouldn't be punished for its inaccuracy but the Lions came hard in the third quarter while Darcy Moore sat on the bench with ice on his right leg after copping a knock in a ruck contest. Goals to Jake Barrett and Daniel Rich helped bring the margin back to 10 points and would have given Nathan Buckley a fright. Ultimately, the Pies posted consecutive wins for the first time since rounds 15 and 16 last year, but poor finishing will be costly against better sides.
4. Finally, Matthew Scharenberg returns
After 630 days since his last game, the rebounding defender made it back to the senior team. Scharenberg was involved in a scoring chain with his first touch after finding an open Scott Pendlebury at centre half-forward, who hit Levi Greenwood in the forward line. The former Roo missed but it was a relatively easy start for Scharenberg, who finished with 16 disposals. Twice Scharenberg has had knee reconstructions – on his left in 2014 and on his right the following year – in an injury-riddled career. The sixth person drafted in 2013 was forced to earn his fifth career game after racking up 109 disposals in his last three VFL matches and while he was relatively quiet on his return to the AFL arena, he should only improve as he plays more in the senior team.
5. Dayne Beams shines again
The star midfielder faced his former club as captain for the first time and was massive. He returned against Adelaide last week after missing a couple of games with a quad injury and seemed to be carrying an injury against the Magpies as he spent plenty of time forward and away from the real being right inside the contest. Nevertheless, the 2012 Collingwood club champion racked up 28 disposals and 11 contested possessions. Beams showed his class when he snapped a goal on his left in the opening term and on his right in the second, and finished with three. He has performed exceptionally well every time he has taken to the field this season and has been a massive addition after playing just two games last with after dealing with knee troubles.

THE MEDIA

The 45-point win Collingwood managed against the Brisbane Lions at the MCG on Sunday was its biggest victory this season, but coach Nathan Buckley says inaccurate goalkicking has smashed his side in the percentage column.
Collingwood has a 4-6 record after defeating the Lions and a percentage of a tick over 100.
The Magpies kicked away to post consecutive wins for the first time since round 16 last year, but the coach said his side fell back into old habits after recent improvement.
"Our percentage will sit around 100 now, after 10 games. We could be 10, 15 per cent better off, and a couple of wins better off, if we had have kicked straighter," Buckley said after the game.
"It doesn't impact the result today, but clearly when the game's a bit tighter, it can impact the result. We'll continue to work on it."
The Magpies finished with 18.21 with forwards Jamie Elliott, Darcy Moore and Alex Fasolo the main offenders.
"(We won) the game by 5.15. If it was 15.5, it wouldn't change a great deal other than percentage and probably, it's great to fill your boots when you get your opportunities," Buckley said.
"'Billy' (Elliott) had eight shots on goal for 4.4 and probably had a couple more (shots) as well. Darcy had five shots, 'Faz' had six. Each of those guys should really have kicked four, five or six.
"In the end, the general shape of our team was positive. We controlled weight of possession inside forward-50, stabilised clearance and contested ball after quarter time and were able to control the game for the most part."
He praised his side's composure to put away a Lions outfit that lost its ninth-straight game.
"There was some maturity in the performance as well. There was a patch through the first quarter and there was a patch in the third quarter where our intensity dropped off, but we were able to right the ship pretty well," he said.
"At no stage did it look like there was any panic out on the field. That's a sign of maturity – when you know exactly what you need to do to right the ship."
Buckley expressed some disappointment with the way the Lions scored from clearances.
"We gave up three goals from stoppage inside our D50, which is high, and we gave up five scoring shots from centre bounces. We nearly gave up as much score from centre bounces as we've given up for the first nine rounds," Buckley said.
"They were outliers. There's probably a little bit in that, getting that contested-ball stuff right."
Moore had a stint on the bench in the third quarter after he hurt his right shin in a ruck contest and had ice applied but returned with a shin guard and finished the game. Buckley said the 21-year-old was fine.

NEXT UP
Collingwood travels to Domain Stadium to take on a Fremantle team licking its wounds after a 100-point loss to Adelaide.
                                

SUPERFOOTY

NATHAN Buckley admits Collingwood's wayward goalkicking could be fatal to their finals ambitions if they cannot quickly rectify the issue.
The Pies took a full four quarters to run over Brisbane, leading by just 11 points in the third term before a seven-goal final quarter.
That scare as Brisbane looked some chance to snap its eight-match losing streak seemed to spark the Pies into life.
But after the 45-point MCG win, Buckley admitted the inaccuracy stretched back too far to dismiss it as an aberration.
Alex Fasolo kicked 2.4 for a total of 14.20 for the season, Levi Greenwood 0.2 and Jamie Elliott 4.4 in the 18.21 (129) scoreline.
The Pies take on Fremantle at Subiaco next week, the kind of clash over a fellow finals contender the 4-6 Pies must win to reach September.
"It's been pretty consistent over a long period of time,'' Buckley said.
"Our last month we have improved but our percentage is sitting around 100 (100.2) after 10 games and we could be 10 or 15 percentage points better off and a couple of wins more.
"Clearly when the game is a bit tighter it can impact the result. It's great to fill your boots when you have opportunities.
"Darcy (Moore) had five shots, Faz had six and those guys could have kicked four, five or six but in the end the general shape of our team was still positive."
The Pies endured a pair of flat spots to ease to victory, jumped early then kicking six straight points in the third term.
But the club's first successive victories of the season puts them at least within range of the top eight heading into the Fremantle clash.
"I thought there was some maturity in the performance. They got back to 11 points so there were patches in the first and third quarters where our intensity dropped off.
"At no stage did it look like there was any panic on the field. There will be sterner tests than that and we need to be ready for them."
Moore needed ice on his shin after a ruck knock but is in no risk for the Dockers clash, with the club's injury list relatively clean.
Buckley said he would not be judging the Dockers off their 100-point loss, aware how dangerous all sides are in the competition.
"You focus on your own stuff more than the opposition to be honest. We are in the position we are in because of the footy we have put forward. We haven't had any blowouts, that's the highest margin (of win), but we need to keep looking after our own back yard and to best our opposition each week. That's what the competition requires."
Defender Matthew Scharenberg got through the game unscathed with 16 low-key possessions, playing his first game since 2015 after a pair of knee reconstructions.
"He got better as the game wore on. It's been over 600 days since he played his last AFL game and he's still only played a handful. We all travel different journeys to get here and he's had a pretty rocky road to get to this point."
"Our last month we have improved but our percentage is sitting around 100 (100.2) after 10 games and we could be 10 or 15 percentage points better off and a couple of wins more. Clearly when the game is a bit tighter it can impact the result. It's great to fill your boots when you have opportunities. Darcy (Moore) had five shots, Faz had six and those guys could have kicked four, five or six but in the end the general shape of our team was still positive."
                  Nathan Buckley

Collingwood's game against Brisbane was a microcosm of their season. Good in parts, dominant in others, frail at times. They were architects of their own misfortune at others.
Eventual 45-point winners, the Magpies were five goals up in the biting cold and rain approaching half-time. The Lions got a goal back on the siren from Matthew Hammelmann, but the contest had about it a sense of inevitability, which was only reinforced after the break when Darcy Moore booted the first goal.
Then Collingwood kicked six straight behinds and teased out in Brisbane minds the idea of the comeback as the Lions in contrast kicked four goals.
Alex Fasolo, Moore and Tim Broomhead all missed regulation set shots – a regular problem this year. For Fasolo it brought him to 6.13 from set shots in 2017.
Jamie Elliott missed the sort of crumbing snap he would wish to have the chance to kick each week. Taylor Adams had a snap that went awry. They were earning the shots – as they had all year – and then wasting them in front of goal, as they had all year.
At game's end Collingwood had enjoyed more than double Brisbane's inside 50s – 72 to 33 – the sort of dominance that might have reflected better on the scoreboard but for a goals and behinds ledger that favoured the minor score.
These might sound churlish points in a win of this margin but against a lower side they would have hoped to find a better a gear than they did. Comfortingly, a seven-goal last quarter was the sort of satisfying correction they would have hoped for.
Throughout, at least, they were trying to move the ball forward with purpose and open space on the ground. Steele Sidebottom and Scott Pendlebury were the most creative influences yet their steadiness across half back helped the Pies.
Brayden Maynard gave them run from half back but Tyson Goldsack, Jeremy Howe and Lynden Dunn were very good in setting up behind the Lions' high forwards to repel the ball. They won contested one-on-ones but got across to assist each other as well.
For all that, Daynes Zorko and Beams were the equal of anyone on the ground and the reasons – well, as much as Collingwood's inaccurate kicking – that the Lions were able to stay clinging to the contest
Occasionally opportunities present to judge a player not against the broad competition, but against a peer, a player of similar vintage and experience. Darcy Moore was not being asked to play on an Alex Rance or Robbie Tarrant; he was predominantly playing on Daniel McStay, who is only 12 months his senior.
Moore has been better in recent games and again on Sunday had a game that rebuilt confidence in his season. It is well to recall that he is a third-year player playing predominantly as the sole key forward – if you don't count the fact that the much shorter Elliott actually plays as a full forward.
Collingwood have looked better since Elliott came back in to the team. He might have had at least six, if not eight goals, and contented himself with 4.4 for the day.
It was the first time Collingwood had played Brisbane in a day game since the 2003 grand final. That day didn't go well. In fact the weather felt more like the 2002 grand final.
For historic context it was also Matthew Scharenberg's first game since round 23, 2015. He had good touch and coach Nathan Buckley looked wise to hold him in the VFL until he was ready to play so that he arrived at Sunday's game approaching the ball with confidence. The wet weather was not the most welcoming reintroduction to the game for a player after two knee reconstructions.
The signs for Brisbane were, again, in the green shoots of Eric Hipwood – a hanger in the first term at half back that led to a Zorko goal, and a snap of his own later that he lifted from his toes and nimbly got it to his boot - as well as Archie Smith, Hugh McLuggage.
                                

AFL

THE INACCURACY that has plagued Collingwood this season returned on Sunday afternoon, but a spirited Brisbane Lions team was unable to advantage as the Magpies won a scrappy clash by 45 points at the MCG.
For the first six rounds of the season the Magpies kicked more behinds than goals, and they relapsed in a calamitous third quarter that gave the Lions a sniff in a match they had never looked like winning.
Just 10 points separated the teams deep in the third quarter, but the Magpies were too strong and experienced, settling in the final term to kick seven of the last 10 goals and win 18.21 (129) to 13.6 (84).
As poor as the Magpies' goalkicking was, their midfield was dominant and Nathan Buckley can thank Scott Pendlebury and co. for delivering back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
The important win keeps Collingwood in touch with the mid-table logjam, taking their record to 4-6 in an up-and-down campaign that seems to only ever be one big loss away from crisis.
Pendlebury was outstanding for the Magpies, working in tight spaces and using the ball with typical care to finish with 31 possessions, seven clearances and nine inside 50s.
He had plenty of sidekicks in a dominant midfield, with Adam Treloar (30 and seven clearances) and Taylor Adams (33 and five) enjoying big afternoons, while Steele Sidebottom worked off the back of the square at times to win a game-high 34 disposals.
Those four Magpies combined for 77 possessions in a brilliant first half, setting up a 25-point lead that only looked like growing as the young Lions tired.
But their efforts were not rewarded by the team's wayward forwards in the third quarter as the Magpies booted 2.6, with Darcy Moore, Jamie Elliott and Tim Broomhead missing particularly gettable shots.
As if to ram home the Magpies' failings in front of goal, the Lions took their chances, with Rhys Mathieson and the brilliant Dayne Beams converting 50m set shots and Jake Barrett snapping accurately from the boundary.
Beams was a star against his former club, finishing with 28 possessions six clearances and three goals, appearing hurt at times but pushing on to be his team's standout player.
He was well supported by Dayne Zorko (28, 10 clearances and two goals), while Marco Paparone was very effective in a defensive forward role on Magpies' defender Jeremy Howe.
Lions coach Chris Fagan focused on the positives, despite the club losing its ninth consecutive match, taking its record to 1-9 and anchoring them to the bottom of the ladder.
"The third quarter was really exciting, just to see our guys fight back and for a while there put themselves in with a chance to win that game," Fagan said.
"But Collingwood's experience and poise and our mistakes in the last quarter contributed to a fade-away."

Thursday, May 25, 2017

2017 Round 10: The Team

2017 AFL Round 10

COLLINGWOOD v BRISBANE

Time & Place:
Sunday May 28, 1:10pm EST
MCG

TV:
Fox Footy 1:00pm EST

Weather:
Min 10 Max 15
Chance of rain 90%: 1-5mm
Wind: WNW 24kph

Betting:
Collingwood $1.08 Brisbane $8.00
B: Jeremy Howe, Lynden Dunn, Brayden Maynard

HB: Josh Smith, Tyson Goldsack, Matthew Scharenberg

C: Steele Sidebottom, Scott Pendlebury, Daniel Wells

HF: Jordan De Goey, Alex Fasolo, Will Hoskin-Elliott

F: Jarryd Blair, Darcy Moore, Jamie Elliott

Foll: Brodie Grundy, Taylor Adams, Adam Treloar

Int (from): Levi Greenwood, Tom Phillips, Jack Crisp, Tim Broomhead, Jackson Ramsay, Ben Crocker, Mason Cox

IN: Tim Broomhead, Mason Cox, Ben Crocker, Jackson Ramsay, Matthew Scharenberg
OUT: James Aish (cheekbone), Henry Schade (omitted)




It's been a long time since Matthew Scharenberg has played senior football.
In fact, by Sunday, it will have been 630 days.
But that wait may finally be ready to come to a close, with Scharenberg named in Collingwood's extended 25-man squad to take on Brisbane at the MCG.
The 21-year-old has been named on the half back flank, and shapes as a potential replacement for absent pair James Aish (injured) and Henry Schade (omitted).

The inclusions
Scharenberg is averaging 29.0 disposals per game in six outings at VFL level this year.
He has struck a purple patch in recent times, collecting 34 disposals for two weeks running before winning a further 41 disposals against Box Hill last Saturday.
As has been well documented, Scharenberg has endured a wretched run with injuries in recent years.
He underwent surgery on his feet shortly after he was recruited with pick No. 6 in the 2013 National Draft. Debuting in the VFL late in the year, he tore his ACL in the final home and away game in Bendigo and underwent a full reconstruction.
A full recovery allowed him to make his AFL debut in round 18 of 2015, only to damage his other ACL during pre-season training months later. He would endure another year on the sidelines.
Elsewhere, Tim Broomhead, Jackson Ramsay, Ben Crocker and Mason Cox have all been added to the 25-man squad.
Broomhead and Ramsay were among the best in the VFL last Saturday, while Crocker has kicked seven goals in five games, including two in each of the past two weeks.
Cox has not played senior football since round seven, but was the carryover player for last week's win over Hawthorn.

A new number for Wells
Wingman Daniel Wells is one of 10 players to be allocated a change of jumper number for Indigenous Round.
Wells will join six other players league-wide in wearing No. 67 this weekend.
The number commemorates the year of the referendum that ensured indigenous Australians would be counted in the census and allowed the federal government to make laws for them.


Preview Round 10: Collingwood v Brisbane

AFL

SUMMARY
2017 AFL Round 10

COLLINGWOOD v BRISBANE

Time & Place:
Sunday May 28, 1:10pm EST
MCG

TV:
Fox Footy 1:00pm EST

Weather:
Min 10 Max 15
Chance of rain 90%: 1-5mm
Wind: WNW 24kph

Betting:
Collingwood $1.08
Brisbane $8.00
Collingwood's season – and presumably Nathan Buckley's coaching career – hangs by a thread at 3-6 after producing a Houdini act against Hawthorn, but this Sunday afternoon encounter with the bottom team represents a golden opportunity for a welcome percentage booster. The Lions, after upsetting Gold Coast in round one, have lost their past eight games by an average of 44 points. In their most recent losses to Hawthorn and Adelaide, they were competitive before being overpowered in the second half – a pattern that's likely to continue here. In-form Dayne Beams, who will lead the Lions against his old club for the first time, will no doubt receive a torrid reception from his former teammates and will need all the help he can get against Pendlebury, Treloar, Wells & co. If ever the Pies are going to fill their boots, this is it.

LAST FIVE MEETINGS
  1. R8, 2016, Collingwood 20.23 (143) d Brisbane Lions 10.5 (65) at the Gabba
  2. R1, 2015, Collingwood 12.14 (86) d Brisbane Lions 11.8 (74) at the Gabba
  3. R21, 2014, Brisbane Lions 18.15 (123) d Collingwood 8.8 (56) at the MCG
  4. R10, 2013, Collingwood 14.16 (100) d Brisbane Lions 7.9 (51) at the Gabba
  5. R7, 2012, Collingwood 17.14 (116) d Brisbane Lions 8.10 (58) at the Gabba
THE SIX POINTS
  1. The Magpies' pattern in 2017 has been consistent – a win followed by consecutive defeats. The Lions have now lost their past eight games by an average margin of 50 points.
  2. In their most recent clash – at the Gabba in round eight last year – Collingwood had the first 21 scoring shots, blazing 8.13 (61) on their way to a 78-point win. Adam Treloar was best afield with 36 disposals and three goals.
  3. No team has won fewer quarters this season than the Lions, who have outscored their opponents in only 10 of a possible 36 quarters, and have won just one final quarter. Collingwood has won 14 quarters.
  4. Collingwood has won five of its past six contests with the Lions, and seven of nine since 2009. The Pies have triumphed by some big margins too, with three decided by more than 50 points.
  5. The Magpies are ranked third in clearances this season, averaging 39 a game. The Lions are equal-seventh with an average of 38.4, but are fourth in centre clearances, compared to the Pies' 12th.
  6. Jeremy Howe is enjoying a terrific season in defence for the Magpies and has lifted himself to a career-best ranking of No.78 in the Schick AFL Player Ratings. Just a year ago the former Melbourne forward was the 167th ranked player.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Alex Fasolo.
Led the Pies' goalkicking last year and, despite wayward kicking, was on track to do it again until recently. The explosive, extroverted forward has tallied just 5.8 in his past six outings, and he has been held goalless in his past two games. Another poor one here and his spot in the team might come under question.

PREDICTION: Collingwood by 42 points

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Injury List

Injury Update Tuesday, May 23, 2017
2017 AFL Round 10

COLLINGWOOD
v
BRISBANE

Time & Place:
Sunday May 28, 1:10pm EST
MCG

TV:
Fox Footy 1:00pm EST

Weather:
Min 11 Max 16
Chance of rain 80%: 1-5mm
Wind: NW 24kph

Betting:
Collingwood $1.08
Brisbane $8.00
Player Injury Status
Josh Daicos Concussion Test
James Aish Fractured cheekbone 2 weeks
Rupert Wills Calf 2 weeks
Travis Varcoe Hamstring 2-3 weeks
Jesse White Hamstring 2-3 weeks
Ben Reid Quad 3-4 weeks
Ben Sinclair Hamstring 5-6 weeks
Adam Oxley Hip/ groin 10-12 weeks


ON THE BLOCK: Probably 15 Pies to quarter time on Saturday night with Brayden Maynard at the top of the list after he shanked a kick-in, which cost the Magpies a goal, and played with general disinterest. But Maynard redeemed himself in the second half as did most of his teammates. Alex Fasolo was pretty ordinary, but surely he gets another chance.

ON THE CUSP: Callum Brown was close this week and with the injury to James Aish and team confidence on a high, it could be the perfect time to blood the father-son hope. Surely too much to ask for a second generation double-play with Josh Daicos. Bucks?

ELIZA SEWELL'S FORECAST: My learned colleague Chris Cavanagh noted the Magpies' form line- LLWLLWLLW. Let's see if the heroics of Saturday night arrest the pattern. Another "should win" against the Lions at the MCG.

Monday, May 22, 2017

2017: LADDER ROUND 9

Pos Position    C Change from last round    P Played    W Won     L Lost    D Drawn    F Points for
A Points against    % Percentage    Form Past five results    Next Next opponent    Pts Points
Note: Port and Gold Coast Bye

Sunday, May 21, 2017

Round 9: Collingwood 90 Hawthorn 72

2017 AFL Round 10

COLLINGWOOD BRISBANE

Time & Place:
Sunday May 28, 1:10pm EST
MCG

TV:
Fox Footy 1:00pm EST

Weather:
Min 8 Max 15

Betting:
Collingwood $1.07 Brisbane $8.60
COLLINGWOOD    0.1.1    4.6.30    9.11.65    13.12.90
HAWTHORN
        6.1.37  10.4.64    10.5.65      11.6.72

GOALS - Collingwood: Elliott 3, Moore 2, Maynard, Greenwood, Treloar, Howe, Crisp, Pendlebury, Sidebottom, Smith

BEST - Collingwood: Pendlebury, Howe, Adams, Treloar, Moore, Smith

INJURIES - Collingwood: James Aish (fractured cheekbone)

REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil

OFFICIAL CROWD - 54,252 at the MCG

1. Injuries ravage Hawks in defence
Hawthorn was already reaching deep into its list to field a backline before Tim O'Brien (hip soreness) – a potential defensive option – and Kaiden Brand (illness) were late withdrawals. James Frawley (turf toe) and Ben Stratton and Grant Birchall (both knee issues) were already ruled out for a month or more in recent times. In came New Zealander Kurt Heatherley for just his second game and precocious but inconsistent talent James Sicily also got another go. Heatherley started down back, alongside Josh Gibson, Ryan Burton, Blake Hardwick, Shaun Burgoyne and Luke Hodge. The Hawks generally held up OK – all things considered – with the tidal wave of ball coming down in the third quarter almost impossible to deny. Burton, the round two Rising Star nominee, delivered another composed display. As for Heatherley, who shared Darcy Moore minding duties with Gibson – he showed enough to suggest he could be a long-term option.
2. Any danger of showing Mitchell some respect?
Either Tom Mitchell stinks, the Collingwood coaching staff doesn't rate him (as much as others) or he is going that well that no one can stop him. It is probably a bit from options two and three. The former Swan entered the round averaging a League-best 34.1 disposals and already had 14 by quarter-time as the Hawks piled on six goals to none. Mitchell worked equally well inside and outside the contest and managed double-digit touches in every quarter on his way to an all-time club record of 50. The 23-year-old had 22 contested possessions, eight tackles and five clearances. Mitchell broke his previous best haul of 41 barely six minutes into the fourth term and was one of the few four-quarter performers on either side.

By final siren it was a remarkable 61-point turnaround and the Pies' season had a pulse again.
3. Pies erase 43-point deficit
It looked how far Hawthorn when James Sicily slotted his second goal inside the first 10 minutes of the second quarter to shoot his patchwork but proud side 43 points up. A Hawks victory would have revived talk of still challenging for an unlikely finals berth. Collingwood was truly insipid to that stage, but classy captain Scott Pendlebury put his team on his back in one of his best performances in some time. Jeremy Howe, Taylor Adams and, in the second half, Adam Treloar came along for the ride. They levelled the scores by three-quarter time, fell a goal behind, then achieved their first advantage of the night from Jamie Elliott. By final siren it was a remarkable 61-point turnaround and the Pies' season had a pulse again.
4. Coach-killing start?
This could have been it. Those were the words being spoken in hushed tones as Hawthorn piled on eight of the first nine goals to charge 43 points up in the second term. Nathan Buckley's sixth year as Collingwood coach started under pressure and the heat has never subsided as the Magpies lost six of their first eight games. The suspicion is Eddie McGuire and co. would wait until season's end to make the call on the club legend, but the horror opening against a Hawks side besieged by injury and well down on its glory years was not a good look. The players repeatedly back Bucks and they finally provided him some support with an inspired second half.
5. Schade out-bodied twice for goalsquare majors
Six weeks is a long time in footy. Gold Coast discard Henry Schade was universally praised for a strong effort against Lance Franklin in round three, but fast-forward to Saturday night and he was part of the Pies' disastrous start down back. Firstly, Hawk Luke Breust (184cm, 84kg) outmarked the 197cm, 89kg key defender in a one-on-one contest at the top of the goalsquare. Then James Sicily made it eight of the first nine goals for Hawthorn when he timed his bodywork to perfection to shove Schade aside, mark and run into an open square.

THE MEDIA

Collingwood staged an enormous comeback from 43 points down, to win its first game against Hawthorn under coach Nathan Buckley.
After conceding the first six goals of the game and kicking just the solitary point in the first quarter, Collingwood eventually triumphed by 18 points, winning 13.12 (90) to 11.6 (72).
The Magpies hit back after half time kicking 5.5 (35) to 0.1 (1) to draw level at three-quarter time continuing the Hawks' shocking performances in third quarters in 2017.
They then kicked three goals to one in the final quarter to notch up its third win for the season.
The comeback, which was built on the back of the skipper Scott Pendlebury, who was outstanding with 36 touches and a last quarter goal, will bring great relief to Collingwood.
Despite having to make six changes through injury and illness, Hawthorn steamrolled the Magpies early kicking the first six goals of the game.
Tom Mitchell was outstanding with 14 first quarter possessions, finishing the game with a club record 50 touches and Paul Puopolo and Luke Breust were causing trouble inside 50.
The Magpies were uncertain, turning the ball over and conceding free kicks and appeared rattled.
It was the first time the Magpies had conceded the first six goals of a game since round six, 2015 and the lowest first quarter score under Buckley.
It was also the biggest margin the Magpies had faced at the first break in his six seasons at the helm.
That it came just after Collingwood had stood to honour club legend Lou Richards, who was buried during the week, made it even more worrisome.
However, Collingwood was a different team after half time putting the depleted Hawks under enormous pressure, closing down space and running to support each other.
Darcy Moore began to take marks, finishing the game with four contested marks and two goals in his best game for the season, as the much-vaunted Collingwood midfield worked over their Hawthorn opposition.
Taylor Adams had 11 touches in the third quarter to support Pendlebury and the backline lifted, conceding just one goal in the second half.
Brayden Maynard, who had an horrendous first quarter hit back hard and laid one vital smother and stopped a certain goal in the last quarter as the Hawks threatened to steady.
It keeps Collingwood in with a slim finals chance as it has a reasonable percentage and three wins to its name, while Hawthorn remains on three wins but is fighting hard.
MEDICAL ROOM
Collingwood:
James Aish has a suspected fractured cheekbone after showing enormous courage to contest a loose ball and clashing heads with Hawthorn youngster Daniel Howe.
NEXT UP
Collingwood plays the Brisbane Lions at the MCG on Sunday and will look to build on its win.
                                

SUPERFOOTY

IT was the Jaws of Life and a defibrillator in one coach-saving hit.
It was Collingwood's high-risk, high-octane comeback when everything was lost that pulled its coach from footy's death bed.
It was Eddie McGuire going from shaking his head in the first half to pumping his fist and unable to sit down in the second.
It was survival — at least for now — for Nathan Buckley. The most besieged coach in the caper has bought himself some breathing space. Only a little, mind you, but when you're staring down the barrel of 2-7 anything will do.
If this game saw a doctor it would be diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder.
Collingwood trailed Hawthorn by 43 points 11 minutes into the second quarter and Buckley's men looked as lost in possession as any side you've seen.
Even in an industry that falls over itself to pronounce the end, this was the stake in the heart of a coaching career that's gone south since it started six seasons ago.
The Pies' first 40 minutes were horrific against an injury-ravaged brown and gold unit more Box Hill than Hawthorn. Words don't do it justice, but the numbers do.
The Pies' 0.1 at quarter time was their lowest ever first quarter score under Buckley and Hawthorn's 6.1 made it his side's worst opening term.
So bad was it, Brendan Fevola said on Triple M: "If this gets out to 100 points, Buckley is gawn. Gawn!"
But just when the Pies' favourite son had become the unequivocal black sheep of the black and white family, half-time came and a flicked-switch with it.
Collingwood went from insipid to irrepressible. They slammed on 5.5 to 0.1 in the third quarter to draw level at the last change and 4.1 to 1.1 in the fourth to complete the most unlikely of comebacks.
Come from behind wins always need a spark and Collingwood's came from James Aish. The lightly-framed fringe player summed up the Pies' second half mindset when he bravely put his head over the ball in a car crash-like hit with Daniel Howe.
He broke his cheekbone, Aish. But while his pain was temporary, his contribution won't be forgotten. Without him, the Pies' stagnant, groan-inducing ball movement was replaced by what Adam Treloar later said was a "play on at all-costs" mindset.
It was daring, direct and it worked.
Adam Treloar went from bitching at teammates in the first half to running riot in the second.
Scott Pendlebury went from uncharacteristically coughing the ball up in the first term to cutting Hawthorn apart thereafter.
With Taylor Adams and Steele Sidebotton, they overwhelmed Tom Mitchell, who was carrying Hawthorn's midfield on his own. Allowed to roam free without Levi Greenwood for company, Mitchell had 26 touches at half time, 50 by the final siren and for a long time threatened to belt the Pies on his own.
The same supporters who had their heads in their hands early in the second quarter were chanting "Coooollingwoood" by the end of the fourth.
So, what does it all mean?
In truth, Buckley wasn't going to be sacked tonight. But he certainly wasn't going to be reappointed either. For now, he resides in the postcode of insecurity — coaching for his life.
After the final siren he walked into a Collingwood change room dripping with relief. He kissed wife Tania and football manager Geoff Walsh threw an arm around him.
"I don't think we ever stopped believing. There's always belief there," Treloar said.
"It shows when we play the way we want to play we can match it with everyone."
Which must be exactly what keeps Bucks awake at night. They can do it, but why can't they do it more often?


"I don't think we can ignore the fact that there is a pall over the club at the moment and there is a pall over me. That is a reality because it is a talking point, but if we perform better we'll be OK so we'll focus on trying to performing better…not trying to perform better, we will perform better."
                       Nathan Buckley

The end looked nigh for Nathan Buckley. Out of contract at year's end, his with his second-last placed side 43 points down early in the second quarter at the MCG against a Hawthorn side missing Cyril Rioli, Jaeger O'Meara, Grant Birchall, Ben Stratton and James Frawley, it would have been natural for the Collingwood great to wonder whether his time at Magpies coach was about to draw to a close.
But this year of football twists and turns provided another jaw-dropping episode, as the Magpies breathed life into their season, capitalising on another third-quarter fadeout from the Hawks to claim an 18-point win, a fitting tribute for late club great Lou Richards, who was honoured in a pre-game ceremony.
It was Collingwood's first win over Hawthorn in Buckley's coaching tenure, and came despite a Hawthorn-record 50 disposals from midfielder Tom Mitchell.
Suddenly there is hope for the Pies, who meet bottom of the ladder Brisbane next Sunday at the MCG, with their finals dreams not extinguished given the evenness of the ladder.
Collingwood have played some poor football this year, but the opening term of this match was clearly the worst quarter of their season. Hawthorn - a side that has so often this year struggled to build the chains of possession on which their hat-trick of recent premierships were built - had found their groove, moving the ball with precision around the MCG en route to a six-goal quarter-time lead.
But to attribute that buffer to Hawthorn's ball use would be to undersell their work in the contest. Liam Shiels at long last found the extra gear the Hawks have needed from him, racking up 13 disposals by the first change including a sublime snap for goal. Yet even Shiels played second fiddle to Mitchell, who continued his brilliant season with 14 first term disposals.
The most uplifting moment though came when Luke Breust drilled a pass to Ty Vickery, who marked his first senior appearance since a dramatic haircut with a major, celebrating with two clenched fists and an intense look to the sky.
In contrast the Pies were badly bereft of confidence, squandering a rare opportunity when Levi Greenwood was called to play on at half-forward after being caught in two minds about whether to advance the ball. They mustered just one behind to quarter-time, statistically their worst first term under Buckley. Not surprisingly they were met by an irate coach at the huddle.
The Pies lifted after the break. But even despite a vastly improved quarter from Adam Treloar, and moments of excitement from Jamie Elliott and Jeremy Howe, their inroads were limited, with too many opportunities missed.
With the mercurial James Sicily having one of his good nights up forward after being a late inclusion for Tim O'Brien, Hawthorn still led by 34 points at half-time.
The glimmer of hope was that Hawthorn's third quarters this year had been terrible.
They tried to buck the trend with a quick training drill moments before the resumption, but it didn't work. With Taylor Adams leading from the middle Collingwood took control of the quarter. Mitchell missed a set shot, and Howe quickly responded down the other end, before Darcy Moore kicked his first of the night at the 10-minute mark. Suddenly they had a sniff. James Aish martyred himself in a heavy collision with Hawk Daniel Howe. The former Lion left the ground with a suspected fractured cheekbone, but it appeared to inspire his teammates. Elliott and Moore both goaled, before Jack Crisp sunk a difficult set shot, and remarkably scores were level with a quarter to play.
The final term was gripping. Breust ended Hawthorn's drought to snap his third, and had plenty of time inside 50 to kick another. But the Pies' backline was gritty, and down the other end a clever tap from Moore allowed Elliott to kick his third, giving Collingwood a one-point lead at the 13-minute mark. Then, the moment of the night. Days after becoming a father, Magpies captain Scott Pendlebury coolly drilled home a major from 45m out. That was followed by a textbook snap from Steele Sidebottom, by which point the Pies' momentum looked irrepressible. Josh Smith added a sealer, and the black and white army were again singing.
                                

AFL

COLLINGWOOD'S comeback against Hawthorn proves that no-one at the club is ready to throw in the towel and give up on the season, according to Magpies coach Nathan Buckley.
Joking that he felt like jumping in his car and heading home 20 minutes into the first quarter as the Hawks piled on the goals, Buckley engineered his biggest comeback in 119 games as Collingwood coach.
Even as the margin became 43 points and questions about his future as coach were growing in everyone's mind as the season slipped away, Buckley kept his focus and under skipper Scott Pendlebury's leadership the Magpies worked their way back into the game.
In the end, the Magpies kicked nine goals to Hawthorn's one in the second half to win the rollercoaster race by 18 points and record their third win for the season.
"The players are clearly still invested…the players are clearly not ready to throw the towel in. No-one at the club is and you might have questioned that 15 minutes into the first quarter, but clearly when the question was asked they responded in the affirmative," Buckley said.
During that 15 minutes, Buckley was questioning himself, wondering how he could unlock what he knew the players could deliver.
He praised Pendlebury's efforts for leading the comeback after watching the skipper drive himself to contest after contest in the remaining three quarters.
"He was critical. His class continued to shine through as the game wore on."
Buckley said he was thankful the players kept their mind on the task at hand, particularly given the potential pall any loss could cast over the club and his coaching future.
"I don't find it hard to focus but clearly the players were able to maintain their focus on the task at hand as well," Buckley said.
"I don't think we can ignore the fact that there is a pall over the club at the moment and there is a pall over me.
"That is a reality because it is a talking point, but if we perform better we'll be OK so we'll focus on trying to performing better…not trying to perform better, we will perform better."
Buckley said he wanted the players to enjoy the win and to continue to coach positively, despite his natural inclination to try to find out why the first quarter panned out as it did.
"I find it very hard personally not to look back and ask that question why," Buckley said.
"The overwhelming feeling you want the players to have is what we were able to produce, [and] to coach positively to look at what we were able to do and how we were able to do it and why basically we were able to get the result."
With the Brisbane Lions ahead, Collingwood faces a challenge in backing up the performance with another win.
Buckley understands the challenge.
"We have to work hard at actually blocking out what is potentially a result of our performance and come back down to the process and the things we can impact on."

Thursday, May 18, 2017

2017 Round 9: The Team

2017 AFL Round 9

COLLINGWOOD v HAWTHORN

Time & Place:
Saturday May 20, 7:25pm EST
MCG

TV:
Fox Footy 7:20pm EST

Weather:
Min 13 Max 19
Chance of rain 60%: < 1mm
Wind: N 20kph

Betting:
Collingwood $1.54
Hawthorn $2.50
B: Jeremy Howe, Henry Schade, Tyson Goldsack

HB: Josh Smith, Lynden Dunn, Brayden Maynard

C: Steele Sidebottom, Scott Pendlebury, Daniel Wells

HF: Jordan De Goey, Alex Fasolo, Will Hoskin-Elliott

F: Jarryd Blair, Darcy Moore, Jamie Elliott

Foll: Brodie Grundy, Taylor Adams, Adam Treloar

Int: James Aish, Levi Greenwood, Tom Phillips, Jack Crisp

Emg: Matthew Scharenberg, Callum Brown, Mason Cox

IN: Adam Treloar
OUT: Ben Reid (quad)





Collingwood has made one change to its line up to take on Hawthorn at the MCG on Saturday night.
Adam Treloar bounces straight back into the senior team after missing the trip to Greater Western Sydney with an ankle complaint.
He replaces Ben Reid, who will miss the next month with a quad complaint.

The Hawthorn hoodoo
It's six years since Collingwood celebrated victory over Hawthorn.
The Hawks have triumphed in each of the nine meetings between the two clubs since Luke Ball's famous match-winning goal in the 2011 Preliminary Final.
Saturday night will mark 2066 days since a Collingwood win over Hawthorn. It's time to change that.

Preview Round 9: Collingwood v Hawthorn

Collingwood News - David Natoli

2017 AFL Round 9

COLLINGWOOD v HAWTHORN

Time & Place:
Saturday May 20, 7:25pm EST
MCG

TV:
Fox Footy 7:20pm EST

Weather:
Min 13 Max 19
Chance of rain 60%: < 1mm
Wind: N 20kph

Betting:
Collingwood $1.54
Hawthorn $2.50
Saturday night sees Collingwood host Hawthorn under lights at the MCG.
The Magpies are currently sitting in 17th on the ladder, while the Hawks are placed 14th.
It has been a difficult start to the season for both sides, and not many would have expected these teams to be placed so low on the ladder.
Hawthorn, though, has turned its form around somewhat in recent weeks by winning its last two games against Melbourne and Brisbane. It's a new look Hawthorn side this year, and it has definitely taken the team some time to find its footing again.
But just as the Hawks have slowly turned their form around, injuries to Cyril Rioli and Ben Stratton last week threaten to stall their season again. The absence of these players will compound the existing injuries to James Frawley, Grant Birchall and Jaeger O'Meara.
Collingwood on the other hand will need to quickly recover from the heartbreaking loss to Greater Western Sydney last week.
After a disappointing loss to Carlton, the Magpies jumped out of the blocks against the Giants to take a 26-point lead into quarter time. The match was very tight from that point on, but a last-minute goal to Steve Johnson struck a dagger into the hearts of all Collingwood fans. The loss means that Collingwood now sits on two wins and six losses, with any finals aspirations in real trouble.
But the Magpies need to stay positive. In the next month, Collingwood faces teams all currently sitting outside the top eight. Despite the inconsistent nature of its form all season, I still feel that a few wins can turn the momentum around quickly. The Magpies have shown on numerous occasions they can match it with the very best sides in the competition. This is demonstrated by a percentage of 91.36 which is unheard of for a team in 17th position on the ladder.
The Magpies must win this week to keep any faint hopes alive. Despite the fact that the Hawks are wounded, the Pies have not beaten them since the Preliminary Final of 2011. It will be a tough ask for Collingwood to not only fight its own form issues, but also to do so against its bogey side.

Recent History
Collingwood last met Hawthorn in the final round of 2016. It looked as if the Magpies were going to break their hoodoo against Hawthorn when Adam Treloar kicked a ripping goal late in the game to give the Magpies an unlikely lead. But a freak goal from Jack Fitzpatrick stole victory for the Hawks by one point, and the Magpies were again left to lick their wounds. It was a mighty performance from an undermanned Collingwood side considering the Hawks were playing for a top four position.
Treloar was simply outstanding with 36 disposals and two goals, ultimately polling him the three Brownlow votes. Shaun Burgoyne's class stood out with two crucial goals, earning him the two votes, while Cyril Rioli's three goals saw him poll the one vote.

At the Selection Table

Much has been made about Hawthorn's injury woes, but the Magpies were also dealt a few cruel blows this week. Ben Reid has been ruled out for a month with a quad injury, which is a huge problem for Collingwood since he was ear-marked to plug a hole up forward. Travis Varcoe has also suffered a setback in his return from a hamstring injury, and will miss at least another fortnight, while Jesse White also strained his hamstring at VFL level last week. Tim Broomhead will be tested after suffering a concussion.
In more positive news, Adam Treloar is available to return after he was rested from last week's clash against GWS. Chris Mayne was the travelling emergency last week, and may be a chance to be recalled given Reid's injury. Mason Cox was impressive at VFL level booting four goals, while Ben Crocker continues to put his hand up as well. Matt Scharenberg's form has also been very impressive at VFL level as well.
It will be interesting to see whether Alastair Clarkson turns to youth or experience to cover the big-name injuries this week. The Hawks have some established players at VFL level, in particular guys like Taylor Duryea, Brendan Whitecross and Ryan Schoenmakers. Ty Vickery may also get his opportunity again given the fact Fitzpatrick may miss after a concussion last week. Vickery has a good record against Collingwood. Kaiden Brand is another who may get the nod to cover the loss of James Frawley in defence.

Focus on Collingwood
There was not a lot wrong with Collingwood's endeavor last week. But, again, it was execution that cost the Magpies dearly. A few errant handballs, missed kicks and inaccurate goal kicking late cost the Magpies a win they thoroughly deserved and needed. It's true that there is a lot of youth in the side, but it was a real opportunity to take a big scalp and get the season back on track, which ultimately was not taken.
It is frustrating to see Collingwood play such poor football one week against Carlton, and such good football the week after against GWS. Recently, you can almost get a sense from the first five minutes of a game whether the Magpies are on or not, and this huge contrast in form needs to be curtailed.
Although the Hawks are undermanned and haven't been performing as the side they once were, they still have the capacity to play very good football. Collingwood needs to be switched on this week, as the Hawks have won their previous two games and will enjoy going into this game with little expectation. If the Magpies are even 1 per cent off, the Hawks still have enough firepower and experience to rub more salt into the wounds.

Player Focus – Collingwood
Jamie Elliott – Jamie's good form continued on the weekend, bagging three goals to again be Collingwood's most dangerous forward. Since returning to the side, he has average two goals a game and his work-rate continues to improve. He will be a real handful for the Hawthorn defence this week, and looms as a game-breaker.
Steele Sidebottom – Sidebottom's form has been relatively consistent this year, but he hit his best form last week, kicking three goals from 24 disposals. Sidebottom is at his best when he is a goal kicking midfielder, so it was good to see him hit the scoreboard. Steele is a leader of this side, and therefore needs to be one of the key players to drag the Magpies out of this slump.
Taylor Adams – Taylor is another leader of this side, and he has been arguably Collingwood's most consistent player so far this season. He is averaging 30 disposals a game, to go with an impressive eight tackles. He is the grunt player of the Collingwood midfield, and hunts the ball with tenacity. Although he is prone to the odd error, Taylor's work rate cannot be faltered. He has not kicked a goal so far this year, but with the likes of Scott Pendlebury, Daniel Wells, Sidebottom and Treloar on the outside, Adams has the key role of feeding it out to them and dominating stoppages. In general, Adams has done this brilliantly this year, as Collingwood is one of the leading teams in the competition for clearances and contested possession.

Focus on Hawthorn
Much was made about the departures of Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis last year. Many also forget the departure of Brad Hill who was also one of Hawthorn's key playmakers. It's clear that, onfield, the Hawks have suffered some short-term pain as a result of these decisions, however it should have long term benefits. After five years of contending for premierships, the Hawks looked way off the pace early in the year.
But the pride of this group has shone through over the last fortnight with two really impressive performances. The ball movement was back, and the cohesion up forward was also good. There are still a lot of really proud and talented players in this Hawthorn side, and the forward line is still really dangerous on paper. The loss of Rioli is going to hurt, and therefore guys like Breust, Gunston and Puopolo become vital.

Player Focus – Hawthorn

Tom Mitchell – The Hawks swooped on Tom Mitchell during last year's trade period, and the investment has been quickly vindicated. He has almost stepped in and filled the void of Sam Mitchell. Tom is the competition's leading disposal winner, and he is really sharp around stoppages as well. He played a terrific game last week with 36 disposals, and he has had more than 30 in all games bar one this year which outlines his incredible consistency.
Jarryd Roughead – The new skipper had a slow start to the year after missing the bulk of 2016 recovering from illness. Fortunately, his form in the last few weeks has been steadily improving. He is still averaging two goals a game, but probably isn't winning as much of the ball as we became accustomed to. Nonetheless, Roughead is a vital component to this Hawthorn team, and there's no doubt the side plays better when he is on song. It's great to see him back out there, and it's good to see him returning to form. As his fitness builds, I expect to see him more in the midfield as well.
Isaac Smith – With Brad Hill departing, Smith has become the prime outside runner for the Hawks. But opposition sides have quickly identified this, and most are electing to tag Smith as opposed to others such as Tom Mitchell or Luke Hodge. Brisbane elected to run Nick Robertson on Smith last week to good effect, as he was only able to win 16 disposals. I expect the Magpies will also look to tag Smith this week, as he is such a damaging outside player and one of the few who really break the line in the Hawthorn side.

The Wrap Up
There's a lot riding on this game for both sides considering the precarious positions on the ladder they both sit. With the bye rounds approaching shortly, both sides will look to build some momentum and prepare themselves for an assault at the second half of the season.
Although both teams have had tough starts to the season, they have also demonstrated that they are not sides to be taken lightly, as they have both caused upsets against high ranked teams when they were least expected.
It has been a repetitive theme in my previews in recent weeks, but the big question will be which Collingwood we will see on Saturday. Collingwood's deep midfield will be close to full strength with the return of Treloar, and I think will prove a handful for the Hawks. Hawthorn's defence is also without some of its prime movers. Having said that, Collingwood's forward line has been far from impressive, and the inexperienced backline will have its hands full with the likes of Roughead, Breust, O'Brien, Gunston and Puopolo.
This will be a very interesting game indeed against two sides battling to find their best form, but simply need wins to stay in the hunt this season.

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Preview Round 9: Collingwood v Hawthorn

AFL

SUMMARY
2017 AFL Round 9

COLLINGWOOD v HAWTHORN

Time & Place:
Saturday May 20, 7:25pm EST
MCG

TV:
Fox Footy 7:20pm EST

Weather:
Min 13 Max 19
Chance of rain 50%: < 1mm
Wind: N 21kph

Betting:
Collingwood $1.54
Hawthorn $2.50
Collingwood is a raging favourite to end a nine-game hoodoo against Hawthorn in this clash of apparent also-rans. The 3-5 Hawks have won three of their past four games but their faint finals hopes have seemingly been extinguished after losing key trio Cyril Rioli, Ben Stratton and James Frawley to long-term injuries. The 2-6 Pies will be without important swingman Ben Reid for up to a month but are likely to regain Adam Treloar and have a golden opportunity to build on their last-kick loss to flag fancy Greater Western Sydney at Spotless Stadium. The Pies have been competitive but inconsistent, which wasn't helped by a crammed schedule, but will now be well rested following successive seven-day breaks. A Collingwood win would be their first against Hawthorn since the nail-biting 2011 preliminary final – Mick Malthouse's second-last game as the Pies' coach.

LAST FIVE MEETINGS
  1. R23, 2016, Hawthorn 17.10 (112) d Collingwood 17.9 (111) at the MCG
  2. R15, 2015, Hawthorn 15.11 (101) d Collingwood 12.19 (91) at the MCG
  3. R23, 2014, Hawthorn 18.13 (121) d Collingwood 8.8 (56) at the MCG
  4. R14, 2014, Hawthorn 17.13 (115) d Collingwood 13.8 (86) at the MCG
  5. R21, 2013, Hawthorn 18.11 (119) d Collingwood 12.12 (84) at the MCG 
THE SIX POINTS
  1. Collingwood's 2-6 start to the season is their worst since they were 1-7 and last on the ladder after eight games in 2005. Hawthorn's 3-5 start is their worst since 2010 when they were 2-6.
  2. When these teams met in round 23 last year, the Magpies had more disposals, more contested possessions, more clearances and laid more tackles but still lost by a point. Adam Treloar collected three Brownlow votes after having 36 possessions (22 contested), 10 clearances and two goals.
  3. In the Hawks' favour is their record against Collingwood at the MCG, where they have won 20 games to 11. The Pies have lost four of their five MCG games so far in 2017.
  4. The Magpies are one of only three teams this season yet to blood a debutant, while Hawthorn has selected just one, Teia Miles. Hawthorn has used 32 players and Collingwood 29.
  5. Neither team has enjoyed the attention of the umpires this season – the Hawks are 16th with 17.3 free kicks a game while the Magpies are last with only 16.5 a game.
  6. Pies' joint vice-captain Taylor Adams continues to rise in the Schick AFL Player Ratings. Just two years ago he was ranked in the 300s, but has since lifted himself to a personal-best rating of No. 68.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Jamie Elliott.
The livewire small forward has been threatening to tear a game apart for a few weeks now and he won't get a better chance against a Hawthorn side missing versatile pair Stratton (who would likely have been Elliott's direct opponent) and Frawley. In his past four games Elliott has kicked 10 goals, and now that he's back to full fitness and touch, it's just a matter of time before he explodes.

PREDICTION: Collingwood by 26 points.

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Injury List

Injury Update Tuesday, May 16, 2017
2017 AFL Round 9

COLLINGWOOD
v
HAWTHORN

Time & Place:
Saturday May 20, 7:25pm EST
MCG

TV:
Fox Footy 7:20pm EST

Weather:
Min 13 Max 18
Chance of rain 60%: 1-5mm
Wind: NNE 20kph

Betting:
Collingwood $1.72
Hawthorn $2.13
Player Injury Status
Tim Broomhead Concussion Test
Ben Sinclair Hamstring 5-6 weeks
Travis Varcoe Hamstring 2-3 weeks
Rupert Wills Calf 1-2 weeks
Adam Oxley Groin/hip TBC
Brayden Sier Eye socket Test
Jesse White Hamstring 3-4 weeks
Ben Reid Quad 3-4 weeks
Adam Treloar Ankle Available


ON THE BLOCK: Jarryd Blair booted two first-quarter goals but did little else outside of giving away a costly free kick that led to Steve Johnson's matchwinner. James Aish didn't have his best game and managed only 15 disposals but the Magpies should persist as he acclimatises to the pace of AFL again. Henry Schade had a shocker, conceding four goals against Jeremy Cameron in just over a quarter of footy.

ON THE CUSP: The Magpies will be sweating on Adam Treloar's ankle, hoping he's good to go against the Hawks. Mason Cox booted four goals in the VFL, while Matt Scharenberg was named in the best again and is surely close to getting his opportunity at senior level. Tom Langdon finally played his first game in more than a year but will need more time in the VFL before being considered. Chris Mayne was the travelling emergency and could force his way in given the forward line continues to be an area of concern.

KATE SALEMME'S FORECAST: Nathan Buckley must be pulling his hair out given his side continues to find ways to lose after failing to ice the game against the Giants on Saturday. The task doesn't get any easier, facing the Hawks on Saturday night, a team Collingwood hasn't beaten under Buckley and who have found form in the last two weeks. The Magpies are better than their 2-6 win-loss ratio but bad kicking is bad football and while the players continue to make skill errors both in general play and in front of goal, the wins won't come. Simply must beat Hawthorn and then Brisbane the week after at the MCG.

Sunday, May 14, 2017

2017: LADDER ROUND 8

Pos Position    C Change from last round    P Played    W Won     L Lost    D Drawn    F Points for
A Points against    % Percentage    Form Past five results    Next Next opponent    Pts Points

Round 8: Greater Western Sydney 102 Collingwood 99

2017 AFL Round 9

COLLINGWOOD HAWTHORN

Time & Place:
Saturday May 20, 7:25pm EST
MCG
TV:
Fox Footy 7:20pm EST
Weather:
Min 11 Max 18
Betting:
Collingwood $1.72
Hawthorn $2.13
GWS                     2.2.14    8.5.53    12.8.80   15.12.102
COLLINGWOOD   6.4.40    8.6.54    12.7.79       15.9.99

GOALS - Collingwood: Elliott 3, Sidebottom 3, Maynard 2, Blair 2, Grundy, Hoskin-Elliott, Crisp, De Goey, Reid

BEST - Collingwood: Adams, Grundy, Sidebottom, Howe, Pendlebury, Wells

INJURIES - Collingwood: Nil

REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil

OFFICIAL CROWD - 11,360 at Sydney Showground Stadium


1. Pendlebury gives Magpie fans a heart attack
The impending arrival of the Collingwood captain's first child has had him on tenterhooks all week, but he lined up against the Giants and Pies officials said he wouldn't be leaving during the game, even if his wife Alex went into labour. The black and white army, however, would have fallen off their chairs when Pendlebury jogged around the boundary line and down the tunnel as play began in the second half. It turned out that the skipper just needed a quick toilet break and it wasn't long before he returned to the field, but there was a good couple of minutes where thoughts of the star Magpie jumping on a private jet to get back to Melbourne, or running for a chopper outside Spotless Stadium, would have been running wildly through the minds of the Collingwood faithful.
2. Daniel Lloyd fan club witness a dream debut
The GWS first gamer had a truckload of supporters at Spotless Stadium after his Killarney Vale footy club where he was discovered all came down to the game for the match. They got one hell of a show from the 25-year-old Lloyd. He handled his debut with a cool head, and his first touch, a clean pick up and handball helped his side to their second goal. With chants of "Lloydy! Lloydy!" ringing out all night, the fan club stood as one when Lloyd booted his first goal in the third term from a clever snap to put GWS four points up, and they'll go away satisfied with a quality performance. Lloyd finished the night with 17 possessions and a valuable major, and is assured of another outing against Richmond at home next week.
3. GWS's Pies hoodoo overCollingwood was one of the only teams left for the Giants to conquer – the other being West Coast – since they entered the competition in 2012, but a win for the ages put that hoodoo to bed. The Pies blitzed the home side with six goals in the opening term, after they gave up the first two, but the Giants hit back in the second, until the teams went goal for goal in the third quarter. Down to one man on the bench midway through the last term, the Giants looked gone when Brayden Maynard put the Pies up by five points, but some vintage front and square work from Steve Johnson gave the Giants what must be one of the finest wins of their short history.
4. Short day for unlucky Giants defender 
Aidan Corr didn't get long to enjoy the Giants' return to Spotless Stadium with the key defender knocked out just 20 seconds into the game. The Pies chopped a quick kick inside 50 where Corr courageously backed back to take a mark, but had his feet taken out from underneath him by Phil Davis, who lost his feet at the same time. With no way of stopping himself, Corr flipped backwards and fell heavily on the back of his head, and didn't move for more than a minute, even after GWS medical staff had rushed to his aid. It took almost three minutes for the Giant to groggily walk off the ground with the help of trainers, and he headed straight to the rooms, where his day was called to an end after he failed a concussion test. He was joined before half time by teammate Sam Reid, who was concussed while laying a tackle in the second term, meaning the Giants played two down for close to three quarters.
5. Footy is a simple game sometimes
Modern footy is often complicated by structures, set plays and new terminology, but GWS showed it could be easy when you get it right. After the Magpies scored a behind in the opening minutes, Giant Nathan Wilson used his elite kick to launch a bomb inside the centre square where fellow West Australian Rory Lobb took a strong contested mark near the centre circle. The big man calmly got back from his mark and dropped a pass onto the chest of Jeremy Cameron, who was bolting back inside 50 on the break, and took an uncontested mark 40 metres out. Cameron went back and slotted the first goal of the game, and his 23rd of the season, with the Giants taking it the length of the ground with precision and efficiency.

Down to one man on the bench midway through the last term, the Giants looked gone when Brayden Maynard put the Pies up by five points, but some vintage front and square work from Steve Johnson gave the Giants what must be one of the finest wins of their short history.

THE MEDIA

Luck can make or break a game of footy, but Nathan Buckley refused to attribute Collingwood's last-ditch loss to Greater Western Sydney on Saturday night to that most unpredictable intruder.
Evergreen Steve Johnson's crumbed goal was a shattering blow for a Magpies side that was not great, but certainly good enough to topple a Giants side two rotations down for most of the match after they lost Aidan Corr and Sam Reid to concussion early in each of the first two terms.
But it was the crucial moments leading up to that instant that the Magpies can reflect on and see they should have done that tiny bit better.
"We did a lot of hard work across the four quarters, and in particular in that last quarter, to be able to put ourselves in that position," Buckley said.
"We had chances and we should have iced it in the last five minutes, but we weren't able to. Then there's just little things, little blues that we made, that gave the opposition the opportunity to steal it basically in the end.
"That's the way it goes. It was a flip of a coin in the last two or three minutes, whether we were going to be able to hold on, whether we would have the composure to possess the ball and shift it out of our back half and chew the clock up. But we just weren't able to get a clear enough opportunity to do so.
"In the end, it's not (GWS being) lucky - they forced it inside 50 four or five times in that last three minutes and eventually they scored."
Collingwood won the first term six goals to two and lost the second term by the same margin to hold a one-point advantage at half-time, 54-53. The rest of the match was tight and fluctuating and Collingwood seemed on track as the minutes counted down, only to be overrun with 30 seconds remaining.
"The game itself, we executed most of our plans," Buckley said.
"In any win you never get it perfect and in any loss you never get it all wrong. It's somewhere in between. As it stands, GWS got a little bit more right than we did for the best part. That's why they were able to get the result.
"The criticism can come. But I'm pretty the Collingwood supporters, when they see that sort of effort from their team, they'd be pretty proud."
Buckley revealed that the players discussed the legacy of Lou Richards before the game.
"The main message was the fact that some 50 years ago or more he sat in a room as a Collingwood footballer trying to make his name as a player before we knew him as anything else," he said.
"These young players have got that opportunity to do exactly the same for each other, themselves and for their club."
                                

AFL

VETERAN Steve Johnson broke Collingwood hearts with a last-minute goal to steal a three-point victory for an injury-depleted but relentless Greater Western Sydney at Spotless Stadium on Saturday night.
In one of the final contests of the match, Johnson crumbed to perfection and ran in to goal, putting GWS ahead 15.12 (102) to 15.9 (99), inflicting a bitter loss on the Magpies, who had led for the majority of the match.
Jeremy Cameron kicked six goals for GWS and Josh Kelly was exceptional in midfield with 36 possessions, 11 tackles and a goal.
Making the Giants' win more impressive, they were down two rotations for the bulk of the contest after losing Aidan Corr in the opening minute of the game and midfielder Sam Reid early in the second quarter.
Collingwood began with a flurry to grab six goals to two in the opening quarter, but GWS returned the same tally in the second to leave the half-time ledger at 54-53 to the Magpies.
The third term ended with four goals apiece before GWS found a way to prevail in the dying stages.
Taylor Adams was huge against his old club with 30 touches and eight tackles, while Steele Sidebottom and Jamie Elliott scored three goals each. There was so little that decided the points.
"It's a really, really good fightback from where we were," GWS coach Leon Cameron said.
"To lose Corr in the first 15 seconds - that's footy, things happen and you've got to adjust. Then 'Reidy', and 'Cogs' (Stephen Coniglio) in the early part of the last. That was a really good character-building win."
The Giants were under pressure from the moment Corr's head slammed into the ground after falling over teammate Phil Davis in the opening aerial contest of the game. After a break of about five minutes while the defender received assistance, Collingwood sprung into action.
They moved the ball cleanly, won loads of possession through Brodie Grundy - who dominated Shane Mumford in the ruck - and shot relatively straight to conjure a lead of 40-14.
Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley lamented his side's inability to drive home their advantage.
"We were good enough, but not for long enough," he said.
"We got the gap on the scoreboard early in the game, but we had a really poor second quarter, which gave the ascendancy back and let an opponent that clearly play in surges, play in waves - we gave them incentive and kept them interested and paid the price, ultimately."
However, the Giants pushed back hard in the second quarter, significantly out-tackling the Magpies and comfortably winning contested possession to open up opportunities for sharp-shooter Jeremy Cameron who obliged with three second-term majors, and Rory Lobb who scored two.
Jonathon Patton's mark and goal in the fifth minute of the third quarter gave the Giants their first lead of the match. Jack Crisp responded for Collingwood before 25-year-old debutant, former carpenter Daniel Lloyd, scored his first AFL goal to put GWS back on top.
The lead swapped another three times before the final break - which saw the Giants one point up - but the home side's growing advantage around the coalface indicated the onus was on Collingwood to find another gear.
Brayden Maynard's long bomb goal and a flying mark by Jeremy Howe suggested the Magpies were keen to rev up.
Cameron scored his sixth, but the Magpies took the lead again with a successful 52-metre shot by Ben Reid midway through the term.
Tired legs pushed both sides to the limit, but Patton held his nerve to score a crucial goal from the pocket to put GWS up by two.
Maynard snapped from 35 metres to restore Collingwood's lead, before Johnson pulled off the great escape.
MEDICAL ROOM
The Magpies escaped without injury.
NEXT UP
The unpredictable Magpies have a date with the unpredictable Hawks at the MCG next Saturday night.

"In any win you never get it perfect and in any loss you never get it all wrong. It's somewhere in between. As it stands, GWS got a little bit more right than we did for the best part and that's why they were able to get the result. The effort is great but it's no consolation for us at the moment. We're still out there to win games of footy, we're still out there to play our best and improve as a unit (and) as individuals within that unit. We believe we can play winning footy but we just fell short tonight."
                    Nathan Buckley

Veteran Steve Johnson showed he still has plenty to offer the Giants after his wily game-winning goal handed GWS their first win over Collingwood.
The Giants produced the bravest win in their short history on Saturday at Spotless Stadium, downing Collingwood by three points for the first time and finishing the game with just one healthy player left on the bench.
But the bruising three-point triumph against the Magpies came at a price with Stephen Coniglio re-injuring the ankle that cost him the opening six weeks of this season, and Aidan Corr and Sam Reid both suffering heavy concussions.
There were just 30 seconds left on the clock and one fit Giant on the bench when Johnson snuck out the back of a huge pack in front of the Giants goal to rove the football and send the 11,360 fans into raptures.
In a game of 15 lead changes, Collingwood looked to have honoured club great Lou Richards with a win just five days after he passed away aged 94 before Johnson chimed in.
"He's really working on his front-and-square and to get that with a minute to go was pleasing. I thought his last few games have been better and better, and he knows as well as I do and our footy club knows that he's building bit by bit," Giants coach Leon Cameron said of Johnson.
"He had an interrupted pre-season in terms of his constant touch and footy. We had to manage him with his knee, we had to manage him with his hand.
"I thought he found a way to produce some stuff that we know he can produce. To hit the scoreboard a couple of times and then to hit the one that put us in front is just testament that he just stays in the game, he's always thinking.
"He's probably done that a dozen times in his career in terms of real crunch moments and he played his role to perfection. It's pleasing that he's progressing in the right manner but he knows that he's got a lot of work to do."
Spearhead Jeremy Cameron booted six goals in the win while Josh Kelly produced a best-on-groud performance showing everyone once again why North Melbourne want to make him their $9 million man.
But it was the Giants' tackling pressure, and their undying will to win with the odds stacked against them, that built the foundation of their sixth victory of the season.
Corr lasted barely 20 seconds before he crashed sickeningly to the turf, and was helped from the field and never returned.
Rookie Reid joined him in the concussion ward midway through the second term while Coniglio limped from the ground at the start of the last quarter and could well be facing more frustration on the sideline.
The Magpies had their chances to win the game with Jordan De Goey missing everything when he had a flying shot at goal late on that would have put Collingwood out of reach, but it wasn't to be after an emotional week.
"We had chances that we should have iced in the last five minutes, but we weren't able to," Magpies coach Nathan Buckley said.
"Then there's just little things, little blues that we made, that gave the opposition the opportunity to steal it basically in the end. That's the way it goes. It was a flip of a coin in the last two or three minutes, whether we were going to be able to hold on, whether we would have the composure to possess the ball and shift it out of our back half and chew the clock up.
"In the end, it's not [GWS being] lucky - they forced it inside 50 four or five times in that last three minutes and eventually they scored. The message is, if you bring that effort you're going to win a lot of games of footy. Against a quality side, you've got to make sure you bring four quarters of footy."
This was arguably the bravest win in Giants history.
The three injuries suffered on Saturday compounded a growing toll that already includes Nick Haynes, Adam Kennedy, Ryan Griffen, Jacob Hopper and Brett Deledio.
At quarter-time Cameron's side was down by 26 points and being dominated in the ruck, but they turned it around.
"I'm not going to sit here and say it's not [satisfying], it's really pleasing," Cameron said.
"Sam Reid's a rookie, he comes back into our team. Daniel Lloyd's a rookie, plays his first game.
"It's not just on the basis of talent, this footy club. We know we've got some talent and a bit of that talent's sitting in the grandstands at the moment.
"It was pleasing that the guys just found a different way to win the game and that shows an enormous amount of character and we've got to continue on that.
"These sort of games are great to play in, as much as they're probably stressful for everyone to watch, they're an outstanding experience."
                                

SUPERFOOTY

COLLINGWOOD coach Nathan Buckley has lamented small errors late in the loss to GWS that allowed the Giants to steal a three-point win but says supporters should be proud of their team's performance.
The Magpies led for the majority of Saturday's contest after making a fast start to lead by 26 points at quarter time.
The Giants dominated the second quarter and eroded Collingwood's lead by half time, which set up a thrilling contest in the second half.
It was in the clutch moments GWS showed their class, culminating in a Steve Johnson match-winner with 38 seconds remaining in the game, with the Magpies unable to hold onto the ball in the dying stages.
Buckley's team is now 2-6 heading into next Saturday night's clash against Hawthorn and is counting the cost of the heartbreaking loss.
"We did a lot of hard work across the four quarters, and in particular in that last quarter to be able to put ourselves in that position," Buckley said.
"We had chances and we should have iced it in the last five minutes and we weren't able to.
"Then there's just little things, little blues that we made that gave the opposition the opportunity to steal it basically in the end.
"That's the way it goes. It was a flip of a coin in the last two or three minutes whether we were going to be able to hold on, whether we would be able to have the composure to possess the ball and shift it out of our back half and chew the clock up.
"But we just weren't able to get a clear enough opportunity to do so.
"In the end, it's not lucky (for GWS), they forced it inside 50 four or five times in that last three minutes and eventually they scored."
Buckley revealed Collingwood discussed the impact of the late Lou Richards prior to the game and used that as inspiration heading into the contest.
In the end it wasn't enough to secure the victory over one of the premiership favourites despite Buckley saying the players executed most of the team's plans to take down the Giants.
He said the team's poor second quarter was costly.
"It's the second quarter, we just let the foot of the throat," Buckley said.
"The message is if you can bring that effort you're going to win a lot of games of footy.
"The criticism can come but I'm pretty sure the Collingwood supporters, when they see that sort of effort from their team, that they'd be pretty proud.
"In any win you never get it perfect and in any loss you never get it all wrong. It's somewhere in between. As it stands, GWS got a little bit more right than we did for the best part and that's why they were able to get the result.
"The effort is great but it's no consolation for us at the moment. We're still out there to win games of footy, we're still out there to play our best and improve as a unit (and) as individuals within that unit. We believe we can play winning footy but we just fell short tonight."

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