| 2018 AFL Round 4 COLLINGWOOD v ADELAIDE Time & Place: Friday April 13, 7:50pm EST Adelaide Oval TV: 7mate / Fox Footy 7:30pm EST Weather: Min 15 Max 23 Chance of rain 0% Wind: W 17kph Betting: Collingwood $4.75 Adelaide $1.19 |
CARLTON 3.2.20 3.4.22 7.8.50 11.10.76
GOALS - Collingwood: Thomas 5, Hoskin-Elliott 3, Sidebottom 3, Reid 3, Treloar, Aish
BEST - Collingwood: Sidebottom, Grundy, Thomas, Crisp, Hoskin-Elliott, Treloar, Reid
INJURIES - Collingwood: Nil
REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil
OFFICIAL CROWD - 68,548 at the MCG
| 1. Collingwood's forward line rotation policy pays off After some minor foxing during the week when he wouldn't guarantee if the available Mason Cox and Ben Reid would play, Nathan Buckley named them both and positioned the forward line around them. While the Magpies’ attacking structure misfired in round one and was dealt a blow last week when Darcy Moore went forward and got hurt, a rolling rotation of midfielders at the feet of the tall pair proved to be the Pies' biggest weapon. Josh Thomas (five goals), Will Hoskin-Elliott, Steele Sidebottom (three each), Adam Treloar and James Aish (one each) and Travis Varcoe (three goal assists) were part of a potent and unpredictable formation that worked. 2. Thomas repaying the faith He wasn't the first Thomas to kick a goal, with those honours going to former Pie Dale who slotted his one and only major just 40 seconds into the game, but he was the most prolific. It was back in 2015 that Thomas and former Pie Lachie Keeffe accepted two-year bans after testing positive to a banned drug they unknowingly ingested in an illicit substance. Keeffe is now at the Giants, but the Pies persisted with Thomas, whose early career was littered with injuries. After playing the last nine games of 2017, Thomas is in great form and showcased on Friday night an additional positive of his game with a personal best bag of five goals. 3. Backline blunders linger for the Blues It's official; the honeymoon is over for Liam Jones, while young backman Jacob Weitering is still struggling for confidence. Beaten last week by Tom Lynch, Jones battled on multiple opponents after starting on Reid, with his night summed up by a dangerous second-quarter tunnel against Tom Phillips. Weitering was better than last week and had 11 touches but lacked composure at times, flubbing a simple pass to Matthew Kennedy in the second term before handing an easy goal to Reid with a free kick. Losing Caleb Marchbank to a first-half ankle injury didn't help, particularly as the Pies forced constant match-up changes with a slew of players rotating through attack. |
4. "Tonihgt" was the night for the Pies… Even if their cheer squad needs a new spellchecker. When Collingwood’s banner was unfurled before the teams ran out, it read, "Let's do this Pies, show those Blues, we own tonihgt (sic), #forever. It was up long enough for eagle-eyed spectators to send it viral on social media, but also for someone amongst the cheer squad to notice the error. They hastily whipped it down and switched the letters before proudly lifting the corrected product for the team to shred apart. Club president Eddie McGuire must have missed this one, given he declared back in his early tenure he would sign off on the banner drafts after a spate of grammatical mistakes. 5. Are the umpires tanking the bounce? We all know the umpires wanted it gone, but the AFL Commission last year decided to retain the game's most unique feature that was first introduced back in 1887. It's fair to say there hasn't been a great deal of consistency with the action so far this season with a large number of crooked bounces recalled across the competition, and Friday night was no exception with Jeff Dalgleish in particular a repeat offender in the third quarter. It's cheeky to suggest the umpiring fraternity are deliberately skewing bounces, but the fact remains there's been a whole lot of them so far in 2018. While the Magpies’ attacking structure misfired in round one and was dealt a blow last week when Darcy Moore went forward and got hurt, a rolling rotation of midfielders at the feet of the tall pair proved to be the Pies' biggest weapon. Josh Thomas (five goals), Will Hoskin-Elliott, Steele Sidebottom (three each), Adam Treloar and James Aish (one each) and Travis Varcoe (three goal assists) were part of a potent and unpredictable formation that worked. |
| THE MEDIA | |
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COLLINGWOOD has eased the pressure on coach Nathan Buckley, turning a 10-goal burst either side of quarter-time into its first victory of the season at the MCG on Friday night. The 16.4 (100) to 11.10 (76) win, owing plenty to dominant Steele Sidebottom and Brodie Grundy performances, consigned Carlton to an 0-3 start for the fifth time in six seasons. Buckley's satisfaction at his side opening its winning account was tempered by losing the third and fourth quarters, after leading by as many as 41 points early in the second half. "We didn't play with much conviction in the second half, but our footy in the first half after a slow start was pretty good," Buckley told reporters. "We got outhunted – we worked our way back into that first quarter slowly and kicked the last four goals of the quarter. "The second quarter was really strong and that's the brand we want to see more of." Ben Reid and Mason Cox were back from a hip injury and suspension respectively, but it was Buckley's surprise tactic to rotate his star foot soldiers through the forward line that ignited the Pies. Travis Varcoe and Will Hoskin-Elliott combined twice to end the early rot after the Blues slotted the opening three goals and had the first six clearances and inside 50s. The streak wasn't quite as dramatic as Carlton's five-goal first-quarter romp against reigning premier Richmond in round one, but both scoring binges ended as swiftly as the other. Once Collingwood found its mojo, the goals came like a flood – and a Reid set-shot goal was his first of three and snatched the lead from the winless Blues for good. Sidebottom was on Tom Mitchell pace with 16 of his 35 disposals by quarter-time and became one of the linchpins in the Pies' new avenue to goal. He joined onballers Adam Treloar and Taylor Adams in spending time in attack on Carlton's chief defensive interceptor Liam Jones with devastating effect, while Josh Thomas booted five majors. Sidebottom added three goals to his possession blitz, with two of them brilliant, including a wonderful dribbling goal in the final term sending the crowd into raptures. Hoskin-Elliott also added three goals, all three from Varcoe assists. But Sidebottom's tackle on Zac Fisher, which saw the dazed young Blue leave the field in the final term, is likely to get a long look from match review officer Michael Christian. Fisher looked shaken but was able to play out the game. Treloar (26 disposals), who started on the bench, was electric with his trademark run and carry and helped put Carlton to the sword with a fine finish early in the second term. Collingwood's impotence up forward is always listed among the Magpies' chief problems in recent seasons, but Reid and even Cox played their part in the night's fortunes. Whether Buckley's midfield solution for his team's scoring woes is the long-term answer remains to be seen. The best big man on the field was undoubtedly Grundy, who quelled Matthew Kreuzer, won 25 disposals and reversed the Blues' early clearance dominance with seven of his own. There was little for Carlton to shout about after its early fireworks, and the final scoreboard flattered it. Levi Casboult played a lone hand in attack with four goals and usual suspects Patrick Cripps (26 possessions) in the middle and up forward, Marc Murphy (29) and Ed Curnow (25) toiled away all night. Charlie Curnow was not quite as good as he was in the first two rounds, but still finished with 20 touches and a pair of goals. The Blues' top pick in last year's draft, Paddy Dow, continues to show promising signs but some scratchy ball use again let him down. But it was the second term, when Collingwood kicked five goals to none in a match-winning period, that most deflated Carlton coach Brendon Bolton. "That quarter was really disappointing," Bolton said. "I think there's a level of cohesion we try and get with this group and there were just too many basic, fundamental errors. "They got us on the outside and hit the scoreboard pretty quickly and that hurt us." MEDICAL ROOM Collingwood: The Pies' have one of the worst injury lists in the competition, but appeared to get through unscathed in another positive to their night. NEXT UP Collingwood will have to perform well to win two on the trot, with a trip to Adelaide Oval on Friday night to face the Crows next on the agenda. THIS is how Collingwood plays in Nathan Buckley’s dreams. The ball pinging out of the back half at pace and a wave of runners ferrying it through the corridor. A potent forward line that looks dangerous with every high-quality entry. Brodie Grundy utterly dominant in the ruck. Steele Sidebottom one step ahead of everyone and running to all corners of the ground to cut the opposition to ribbons. Captain Scott Pendlebury reminding everyone of his enduring star power at the coalface. Controversial recruit Sam Murray showing why the Pies gave up a future second-round pick for him and Callum Brown warming the hearts of the father-son romantics. His coaching moves coming up roses, ruthless accuracy in front of goal and his side relishing pulling down the pants of a rival. After last year’s nightmare and perhaps some restless nights in the opening fortnight of this season, Buckley will sleep comfortably this week. This was the feel-good Friday he needed — and the breakthrough win his side desperately did. Collingwood’s first win of the year came via a 16.4 (100) to 11.10 (76) dismantling of Carlton in a performance drenched in positives. Mind you, the early signs weren’t great. After the Metallica tunes fell flat last week, this time the cheer squad misspelt “tonihgt” on the banner. The Blues then kicked the first three goals of the game, but just when Pies fans were getting that sick feeling in their guts, Collingwood flicked a light switch many suspected they couldn’t reach. The Pies first stopped the bleeding and then slammed on the next 10 goals. They kept the Blues goalless from the 14-minute mark of the first quarter until the five-minute mark of the third. Their pressure overwhelmed Carlton and they monopolised possession, starting from a halfback line run by stellar duo Jack Crisp and Murray. It’s hard to recall when the Pies last moved the ball with such pace, precision and aggression. They racked up 89 more uncontested possessions and 26 more uncontested marks. They were coast-to-coast clinical and when have we been able to say that, regardless of the standard of opposition? When the ball was in dispute, Grundy was colossal. Arguably the most in-form ruck in the competition, he finished with midfielder-like numbers — 25 disposals, seven clearances, six marks and seven score involvements. This was a big win for Buckley, the coach, too. Treloar forward is a huge success. Ditto Sidebottom, who played out of the goalsquare at times, with Buckley exposing tagger Ed Curnow’s vulnerabilities on the last line of defence. Treloar and Sidebottom’s movement caused Carlton all sorts of problems. Josh Thomas kicked five goals, the returning Ben Reid kicked three and while Mason Cox didn’t hit the scoreboard, he took a game-high three contested marks. Will Hoskin-Elliott had 11 score involvements playing inside 50m. The forward line has been an issue, but against Greater Western Sydney and now Carlton, Buckley appears to have found a potent mix. All this with Jordan De Goey, Jamie Elliott and Alex Fasolo making their returns through the VFL and Daniel Wells scheduled to follow suit not long after. Maybe, as Buckley says, there are “blue skies on the horizon” after all.. |
Collingwood had vowed to keep the faith through the week after a winless and injury-hit start to the new campaign had again put the spotlight on coach Nathan Buckley. Questions were thrown at Eddie McGuire and Buckley but were flat-batted with confidence. That faith was rewarded with a four-goal win over Carlton at the MCG last night but greater challenges await this month when a real guide on where the Magpies sit can be made. Steele Sidebottom scores a high five after one of his goals. The Magpies began to build against Greater Western Sydney last week but were beaten. This time they pocketed the four points, and were superbly led by ruckman Brodie Grundy, who with 32 hit-outs, 25 touches and seven clearances has morphed into a legitimate star, and veteran midfielder Steele Sidebottom, who had 35 disposals and three goals. Grundy was dominant around the ground, with counterpart Matthew Kreuzer finishing the night with a left groin issue, while Sidebottom was sublime through the midfield and when sent forward. He was particularly instrumental in the first term when he had 15 of his 35 touches, helping to work his side back into the contest after the Blues had booted the opening three goals, reprising their fast start of a fortnight ago against Richmond. Dale Thomas had sparked cheers and jeers when he opened the Blues’ account, Jarrod Garlett followed up with some composed play in traffic and when Levi Casboult slotted through the first of his four goals, a set shot from 40, the Blues had every right to think this may be their night. Forget that. The Magpies would boot the next 10 unanswered, beginning with the first of two feeds Travis Varcoe gave Will Hoskin-Elliott, this through a handball, at the 15-minute mark of the first term. The Pies would have four to quarter-time and another five unanswered by the half, prompting Blues’ vice-captain Patrick Cripps to vent his frustration to teammates. The Magpies would have a whopping 152-90 advantage in uncontested possessions to the main break and maintained this dominance. They won the ball at the source, ran in waves and found the right balance between pushing and waiting for the right option. They had too often bombed the ball inside 50 against the Giants and had taken note of this. A six-goal half-time break was extended when Josh Thomas added his fourth, this time a quick snap under pressure, before the Blues ended their drought when Casboult converted his second set shot. Finally, at almost the six-minute mark of the third term, the Blues had their fourth goal. Determined to halt the flow, the Blues pushed numbers into defence and attempted to flick the ball around more by hand but the contest was already lost. While the Blues lost Caleb Marchbank to an ankle injury, the Magpies were free-flowing. Scott Pendlebury and Taylor Adams were composed, youngsters Callum Brown and Sam Murray were lively and provided great drive while Thomas, with a career-high five goals, Ben Reid, Mason Cox and Hoskin-Elliott provided a balanced attack. Sidebottom, however, led the way although he may face an anxious 24 hours for a tackle on Zac Fisher. Fans may have thought they were in for an aerial treat when Jeremy Howe went to Charlie Curnow. Howe did not submit a mark-of-the-year contender, but restricted Curnow. Buckley would also win the battle of the minds. Adam Treloar found himself at full-forward in the second term, and the dynamic midfielder marked on the lead and converted against the bigger Liam Jones. Bolton had sent Ed Curnow to shadow Sidebottom, prompting Buckley to send Sidebottom to full-forward. He, also responded with a strong lead, mark and successful set shot on Jones, and capped off the night with a dribbling goal from the pocket. The Blues have vowed to play a more attacking style this season, all part of a blueprint to build a premiership unit, but this has meant they have been opened up on the rebound. They had 15 goals against the Tigers but with a modest nine against the Gold Coast Suns and 11 against the Pies, questions will be asked. That 68,548 attended showed there is plenty of life left in this traditional rivalry, regardless of where the clubs sit on the ladder. For the Blues, that's almost certainly going to be in the bottom rungs this year For the Pies, the next three weeks – against the Crows in Adelaide, Essendon on Anzac Day and Richmond – could well tell the tale. Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley says the Magpies' first win of the season has done little to reduce the external pressure on his side after it nearly came undone in a "lacklustre" second half against Carlton. The Pies won by 24 points after reeling in the Blues' early 19-point lead with a spate of 10 unanswered goals that stretched from 15 minutes in the first quarter to five minutes into the third. That burst came with the additional positive the Pies were able to benefit from tinkering with their forward set up with the rotation of a number of midfielders – namely Will Hoskin-Elliott, Josh Thomas, Steele Sidebottom and Adam Treloar – making an impact in attack. But it was that red-hot period that also could have been their undoing, with Buckley intimating his players lost their appetite for the contest because of it, reflected in how the Blues won the second half by two goals. "The scoreboard looked really good for us and potentially we got carried away with that," Buckley said. "We lost some of our disciplines with the way we wanted to play so we didn't play with a great conviction in the second half, but you take the win." There were still positives to be gleaned from the result, which came after a poor effort against Hawthorn in round one and a gallant but unsuccessful appearance against Greater Western Sydney last week. The three-goal game of Hoskin-Elliott was one, after Buckley admitted to challenging him during the week following a slow start to the season. And, the 32 hit-out, 25-disposal game of ruckman Brodie Grundy was another, even though Buckley said Grundy was another who lost his consistency after the main break. "He was particularly good when we got good, [Matthew] Kreuzer had him early and then in that patch when we dominated the game I thought Brodie was dominant," Buckley said. "Then it was a bit up and down in the second half … his first half was huge and a big part of why we were able to put that gap on the scoreboard." The Pies will be sweating on the match review outcome of a fourth-quarter potentially-dangerous sling tackle by Steele Sidebottom that left Zac Fisher dazed. "There's a duty of care and I think he showed a duty of care, but I'm glad the player got up and played the rest of the game out, that's as significant as anything these days," Buckley said. Buckley said he would also continue to work on the mystery that is the Pies' inability to gain any ascendency when it comes to ground-ball gets. They were ranked 18th in the competition going into round three in the statistic, and again lost the count on Friday night. "We're scratching our heads about that, we've got to do better," Buckley said. "The only quarter we won ground ball in tonight was the second quarter. "It's in our DNA, we're a grunt side, we love the contest and you always try and balance that up with playing with shape and efficiency. "I think our ball use has been better in the last couple of weeks, especially off the back half. “We definitely hit up inside 50 a lot better early in the match, but our ground ball numbers need to improve and that generally comes from work rate and cleanliness. "It is something we need to continue to keep an eye on." |
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