| 2017 AFL Round 20 COLLINGWOOD v NORTH MELBOURNE Time & Place: Saturday August 5, 7:25pm EST Etihad TV: 7mate 7:00pm Fox Footy 7:20pm Weather: Min 5 Max 15 Betting: Collingwood $1.53 North Melbourne $2.51 |
ADELAIDE 2.1.13 3.4.22 10.4.64 16.7.103
GOALS - Collingwood: Adams 3, Wells 3, Reid 2, Blair 2, Hoskin-Elliott, Thomas, Elliott, Moore, Treloar
BEST - Wells, Sidebottom, Adams, Howe, Moore
INJURIES - Collingwood: Blair (nose)
REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil
OFFICIAL CROWD - 33,269 at the MCG
| 1. McGovern the hero Mitch McGovern had just three kicks up until half-time. By the end of the game, he had kicked four majors, including the final goal after the siren to level the score up at the end of the game. McGovern's imperious pack mark with just two seconds remaining in the game, which he clunked with absolute confidence, was a glimpse of the talent he possesses. McGovern coolly slotted his set shot from 30m out to ensure the game ended in a draw and edge the Crows four points clear of second-placed Geelong. McGovern is out of contract at season's end and will be one of the most highly-sought after young key position players in the game. 2. Wells puts on a masterclass This was the Daniel Wells Collingwood banked on getting when it recruited the veteran midfielder from North Melbourne in last year's trade period. The 32-year-old was sensational on Sunday, playing one of the best games of his career to steer nearly steer Collingwood to a thrilling win. Wells gathered 34 disposals at 82.4 per cent efficiency, five clearances, six inside 50s and kicked three goals in a best afield display. It was the first time he had more than 30 disposals and kicked three goals in a match during his 252-game career. The smooth-moving Wells danced around opponents and sliced his way through traffic with ease, proving, that when he is up and firing he is one of the best players in the AFL to watch. 3. Crows escape, but top two-spot not sewn up Adelaide could have gone six points clear of Geelong at the top of the ladder with a win over Collingwood on Sunday. They failed to achieve that, despite staging a miraculous comeback to draw the game against Collingwood. The Crows trailed by 50 points at the start of the third term, but never threw the towel in. However, they have now opened the door for the Cats and Greater Western Sydney to claim a spot in the top two. With matches to come against Port Adelaide, Essendon, Sydney and West Coast, the challenges do not get any easier for the ladder leaders. However, they deserve to be placed at the top of pack based on their performances to this point of the season. |
4. Adelaide's midfield depth remains a worry The main query on Adelaide in 2017 is whether it has the necessary midfield depth to compete with the competition benchmarks in finals. In many games this season, the Crows have answered their critics. But, without prime mover Brad Crouch (fractured cheekbone) and Rory Sloane tagged out of the game by Levi Greenwood, Collingwood made them look second rate. The damning stat centered on the contested possession category, with the Crows finding themselves down 23 at half-time. Matt Crouch won 36 disposals, six more than his nearest Crows teammate. Despite their comeback being sparked by run out of the back half, the Crows were smashed in contested possessions (167-116) at the end of the game highlighting a flaw within their game style. 5. The Crows needs their A-graders desperately Eddie Betts has been a sensational pick up for Adelaide since crossing from Carlton at the end of 2013. The superstar Crow had played 100 consecutive matches until he missed Sunday's game after having his appendix taken out. His absence was noticeable, particularly in the first half as the Crows managed just three goals to half-time. After the break, Adelaide played without fear as Mitch McGovern (four goals) and Josh Jenkins (three) both stepped up. With Betts likely to come back next week's Showdown, his return and that of Jake Lever from a hamstring injury will be a welcome sight for Crows fans. This was the Daniel Wells Collingwood banked on getting when it recruited the veteran midfielder from North Melbourne in last year's trade period. The 32-year-old was sensational on Sunday, playing one of the best games of his career to steer nearly steer Collingwood to a thrilling win. |
| THE MEDIA | |
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In one of the most dramatic games of 2017, the season where extraordinary results have become the norm, Collingwood and Adelaide played out a draw thanks to an ice cool after-the-siren goal to the Crows' Mitch McGovern. McGovern took a stunning pack mark just before the siren sounded, and converted the goal from directly in front to snuff out Collingwood's hopes of winning a game they had led by 51 points early in the third quarter. Adelaide stormed home in the second half after a first-half performance from the Magpies that made the Crows look nothing like the ladder leaders they are. Twice in the final term Adelaide cut Collingwood's lead to less than five points, and for the best part of the last four minutes of game time Collingwood tried to protect their one-goal margin. Collingwood's 51-point third quarter lead was a result of precise and quick football led by Taylor Adams, Steele Sidebottom and the classy Daniel Wells. But as Pies fans were settling in for a comfortable afternoon after Adam Treloar increased Collingwood's margin to the widest of the game, Adelaide kicked nine of the next 10 goals to cut the lead to three points early in the final term. Matt Crouch, Brodie Smith and Richard Douglas led the Crows' charge after Collingwood's trio of Wells, Sidebottom and Adams had been so dominant early. McGovern and Josh Jenkins combined for five marks inside 50 and four goals in the third quarter, a welcome contribution given Adelaide had struggle to make an impact on the scoreboard in the first half when going inside 50. Crouch's 36 disposals and nine clearances were vital from the first bounce and he was the only Crows player to influence the contest for the whole four quarters. Ultimately the third quarter surge from Adelaide ruined Collingwood's good work in the first half. David Mackay's snapped goal in red time in the third quarter reduced the lead to 23 points, as Pies fans began to get nervous, and Adelaide started to believe they could avoid an upset loss. But the Crows weren't done for the quarter, with Taylor Walker finding Jenkins all alone close to goal to make the lead 17 points at the final change. In the final term it looked as if a trio of goals to Ben Reid, Jarryd Blair and Wells, stretching the lead to 21 points, would be enough for the Pies. But the Crows kicked the last four goals of the game through Andy Otten, Brodie Smith, Otten and McGovern to clinch the draw. Collingwood had dominated the first half to lead by 38 points at half time. Magpies fans could only have been wondering where that kind of performance had been hiding all season given their first half display. Wells has been transformative given his class and cleanliness in possession but the manner in which the rest of his team played at the MCG on Sunday was remarkable. Collingwood's contested ball effort, its midfield strength and ability to create inside 50s has been present for most of the season but of late they have managed to change their fortunes when kicking inside 50. Unfortunately for them that didn't last long enough on Sunday and the Crows were able to get something out of a game they only once when they kicked the first goal of the game. Rory Sloane was tagged out of the game by Levi Greenwood. He finished with 16 touches and Adelaide will need to find a way for their star man to break free of close attention if they are to mount a meaningful premiership assault. He has previously been tagged out of games by Scott Selwood, Bernie Vince, Koby Stevens and Sam Gibson in 2017, and Collingwood's tagging plan was crucial in their ability to leave with honour even against the flag fancies. COLLINGWOOD and Adelaide have played out a thrilling draw after Crow Mitch McGovern kicked a goal after the siren to level the scores. It was a devastating moment for the Magpies who looked to have survived a huge comeback from Adelaide after the Crows recovered from a 50-point deficit early in the third quarter. The Crows drew within three points in a dramatic final quarter but the Magpies looked to have held off the fast finishing Crows with three quick goals to drag the lead back out to 21 points. The Crows would not go away, though, and kicked the next three goals before the Magpies hit the post twice as it pushed its slender lead out to six points. McGovern then took a huge pack mark just seconds before the final siren and then kicked truly for scores to be level with Collingwood kicking 15.13 (103) to Adelaide's 16.7 (103). It was McGovern's fourth goal in an outstanding performance in the second half. It was a remarkable game as the Magpies opened up a 50-point lead just two minutes into the third quarter and appeared home for all money before Adelaide kicked nine of the next 10 goals to draw within three points. With all the momentum, the Crows looked set to record the biggest comeback win in their history but a mark and goal to Ben Reid steadied the ship before Jarryd Blair kicked a snap goal to restore a 15-point lead. When Daniel Wells, who had been best on ground, kicked a third for the Magpies in a minute and a half, the game was back in their hands with 11 minutes remaining. Wells was brilliant, inspiring the Magpies with his first half performance that saw him grab 14 disposals and make use of almost every one of them, creating scoring chances and giving the Magpies midfield confidence. He finished with three goals and equalled his career high 34 disposals and received excellent support from Taylor Adams, who kicked three first-half goals, and Steele Sidebottom, who had 33 possessions. The Crows, however, were playing on at all costs in the second half and could not be denied, finding space as the Magpies stopped to a walk. Two goals to Andy Otten and one to Brodie Smith ensured the result would go down to the final siren, which it did in the end when McGovern kicked truly from directly in front. Levi Greenwood blanketed Rory Sloane, restricting him to just 16 touches while Matt Crouch picked up the slack with 36 touches. The result leaves the Crows one game clear on top of the ladder and kills off any slim hopes the Magpies had of making finals. It was only the second draw in the Crows history but the third draw for the season, the most in a season since 2011. MEDICAL ROOM Collingwood: Jamie Elliott has battled an ankle problem all season and he appeared to battle it for most of the game although he played out the game. Tom Langdon copped a heavy knock but played on after being checked out. NEXT UP Collingwood plays North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night. Collingwood was devastated to let this slip and the rooms after the match were deathly silent as the heavy hitters tried to comprehend such a bitter ill. |
MITCH McGovern can write his own cheque now. Just when you thought this crazy season couldn't get any better, the Adelaide high flyer produced one of the most magical moments of the season to pinch a draw against Collingwood after the siren at the MCG. And it was old-school. Flying in from the side of the pack, McGovern reeled in a spectacular grab in the final five seconds and then coolly nailed the set shot from 40m to tie scores and break the hearts of the Pies. We already thought McGovern, 22, had some of the best hands in the business and here was more stunning proof, as Fremantle court the key forward with an offer in the vicinity of $750,000 a season. It looks worth it, and we think he is gone. Collingwood was devastated to let this slip and the rooms after the match were deathly silent as the heavy hitters tried to comprehend such a bitter ill. The Pies led by 50 points in the third term when Adam Treloar nailed one on the run but they went to sleep after that and now are officially out of the finals race. They still led by 22 points midway through the last term when Jarryd Blair kicked a gem off a couple of steps from 40m out. But Andy Otten quickly responded with two of his own to set up the thrilling finish. Big changes loom at Collingwood at the end of the season and another a small crowd came along to watch, even after back-to-back wins. Even with 14 seconds left, Collingwood defender Tom Langdon had the ball for Collingwood in the back pocket after producing a desperate tackle and spoil to try to save his side. But his kick-in from the last line fell straight into waiting arms of Jake Kelly, the man who could have went to Collingwood father-son. Yes, that hurts even more. Kelly marked all alone on the 50m arc and then sent the ball to the hot spot where McGovern pulled in the outrageous grab in a moment he will never forget. Adelaide got out of jail here after a disastrous first half, slamming home nine goals to turn this one on its head. The post mortem will focus on how the Pies can win the contested possession count by 51, lead by more than eight goals, and despite late majors from Daniel Wells and Blair, still not prevail. Brodie Smith got off the chain, Matt Crouch lifted the work rate, Josh Jenkins responded from a horrible first half with three goals and the man of the moment McGovern couldn't be stopped. The writing is on the wall for coach Nathan Buckley now it seems, and he would be crushed by the result, when it all looked so rosy at half time. They played some of their best footy of the season until half time but after defending so well in the first half, they couldn't contain the Adelaide ball movement or forwards in the second half. Tyson Goldsack was again left to play in the key defensive post with Ben Reid up forward. President Eddie McGuire is determined to get to the root of the Pies' problems. Their finals hopes are over now and you think it's time to have a look at some of the kids, like Callum Brown and Kayle Kirby. Josh Daicos hurt his foot in the VFL. Of course, Wells was outstanding. The big money for the Pies' recruit was always a risk if the silken midfielder couldn't get out on the park. But the former North Melbourne star turned on something special to get the Pies within a whisker of one of the upsets of the season. In a season where skill errors have killed Collingwood, Wells cut a swath through the Crows with the precision of a surgeon. In the crucial last five minutes he laced out the perfect pass to Darcy Moore, who missed the shot on goal and the chance to put the result beyond reach. In fairness, this was one of Moore's best games for the season, and his marking on the lead up on the wings was a highlight. But Wells got the three votes. When he plays, Collingwood is six wins, two losses, and now a draw. Statistically it makes him one of the most important players in the competition. Now is he worth the money? It was impossible to dispute after his showing against the Crows. Extraordinarily, Adelaide coach Don Pyke let him do his own thing, whereas Levi Greenwood tagged Rory Sloane out of the game again, in what appears to be the central plank in any blueprint to beat Adelaide. And so this crazy season delivered one of its most enthralling twists. JUST when we thought this season couldn't get any crazier. It was already a remarkable, ridiculous, bonkers and bizarre game. And then somehow it got even more so. Collingwood had a 50-point lead over Adelaide five minutes into the third quarter at the MCG - and somehow didn't win, becoming the eighth team to lead by that much, that late in a game and not come out victorious in VFL/AFL history. In the end, a Mitch McGovern goal after the siren tied the scores at 103 for the Crows' second ever draw. It was Collingwood's 26th draw - and their first since the first 2010 Grand Final. The game would have been notable enough if Collingwood had just gone on to win. After all, the Magpies' season was almost over - they needed to win out and hope results went their way to make it - while the Crows were on top of the ladder, and beat Geelong last week. And yet the half-century margin early in the third term reflected how good they had been; and how poor Adelaide had been. It was a game proving why the Pies needed Daniel Wells. The former Kangaroo was terrific all day, having a massive seven score involvements at halftime and ending up with 34 disposals and three goals. It was the first time in Wells' 252-game career that he had 30 plus disposals and three goals in a game. Taylor Adams was also excellent early, finishing with 34 disposals and three goals just like Wells. But the Crows had their stars too - even though their brightest one in the midfield, Rory Sloane, was held in check. We know the story on Sloane - tag him and the Crows don't play as well - and Collingwood has one of the game's most well-known taggers in Levi Greenwood. So in a move that made Geelong's decision not to tag Sloane last week look even more silly than it already did, Greenwood went to the Crow and limited him. Sloane finished with just 16 disposals. But the key to Adelaide's comeback was slingshot footy. It's not the sort of thing you can rely on in a final - better defences than Collingwood's wouldn't break open like we saw on Sunday. On this day, though, it worked. The Crows kicked seven goals in the third quarter from just 11 inside 50s as incredible efficiency combined with pure speed to get them back in the game. Even the fourth quarter was its own mini-rollercoaster on the extreme game-long ride. The Crows got to within three points, with Josh Jenkins kicking his second and third majors, but then the Pies got the margin back out to 22 points with 16 minutes gone in the term. Then came Adelaide. Again. Andy Otten goalled twice and Brodie Smith chipped in as well to make the margin four points, before two straight behinds for Collingwood got the drawmentum rolling. The ball went towards the Pies' defensive goal line with 30 seconds to play and they held. But on the re-entry, and with just three seconds remaining, Mitch McGovern was able to take a big pack mark. Siren. Goal. Draw. |
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