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Monday, April 27, 2015
Collingwood Stats 4 Rounds
Sunday, April 26, 2015
2015 LADDER: ROUND 4
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| 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 4: Collingwood 69 Essendon 49
COLLINGWOOD 3.2.20 4.9.33 7.12.54 9.15.69
ESSENDON 2.0.12 4.8.32 5.10.40 6.13.49
SCORERS - Collingwood: Cloke (2.0), Elliott (2.0), Seedsman (1.1), Crisp (1.0), Dwyer (1.0), Pendlebury (1.0), Swan (1.0), Adams (0.2), Broomhead (0.2), Varcoe (0.2), Gault (0.1), Langdon (0.1)
BEST - Collingwood: Seedsman, Swan, Adams, Crisp, Brown, Frost, Pendlebury
ANZAC DAY MEDALIST: Paul Seedsman
INJURIES - Collingwood: Nil
SUBSTITUTES - Collingwood: Sam Dwyer replaced Adam Oxley in the third quarter
REPORTS: Nil
OFFICIAL CROWD: 88,395 at the MCG
| 1. Magpies' relentless tackling pressure Paul Seedsman gained more than 800 metres, kicked a goal and was involved in eight scoring involvements to be a deserving winner of the Anzac Day medal. But the day will be remembered for the Magpies' defensive pressure. They had 11 forward half tackles to Essendon's one in the first 20 minutes of the game and everyone wondered whether they could keep the intense pressure up for rest of the game. They did. In the end Essendon beat the Magpies for tackle numbers (81-73) but there was no comparison between the two teams with Collingwood making all the most important tackles and running hard to cover the outlets at every opportunity. The Magpies' defensive pressure restricted the Bombers to just 49 points, their lowest score since round 14, 2010. 2. Jack Crisp quells Jobe Watson The biggest job on the day was handed to Collingwood recruit Jack Crisp. The 21-year-old ran with Essendon captain Jobe Watson and subdued him. He restricted Watson to just 23 disposals purely through work rate. He topped off the day with a brilliant goal from 50 metres when the game was at its hottest during the third quarter. Crisp has managed to step in for the absent Brent MaCaffer as he recovers from a knee reconstruction and along with Travis Varcoe and Jordan De Goey is shaping as good compensation for Dayne Beams. 3. Elliott's first goal from outside the boundary For the second time in consecutive weeks, Collingwood sharpshooter Jamie Elliott benefited from an umpiring error. This time it was the boundary umpire who didn't blow his whistle when Elliott ran out of bounds as he took a flying shot for goal. That Elliott managed to kick a brilliant goal – from the same pocket as Carlton's Wayne Harmes famously knocked the ball back in during the 1979 Grand Final – must have blinded the umpire as it was given the all clear. Elliott might have to add the umpires to his Christmas card list after last week getting paid a mark that he barely controlled. |
4. The Fletcher Bomb The 39-year-old veteran has been known for his long kicking throughout his 395 games so when he marked a Brendan Goddard pass inside the centre square 60 metres out the crowd immediately roared at him to have a shot. Fletcher waited and assessed his options before going with the crowd and unleashing a shot. The drop punt sailed through for the 71st goal of his career, his fourth on Anzac Day and his first on the big day since 2008. When Fletcher turns 40 in 10 days he will be set to become the second player in the game's history to play at that age with only Melbourne and St Kilda's Vic Cumberland playing at a later age. He was 43 years and 48 days old. 5. Is Dane Swan back? The Brownlow medallist returned to form against St Kilda and franked it with another outstanding performance on Anzac Day. Such is the level of respect with which he is still held, he attracted Essendon's run-with player Jake Melsham but from the moment Swan won the opening clearance Essendon was on the back foot worrying about Swan. The 30-year-old chased like he wanted to prove he could work both ways and moved forward to kick an important goal in the third quarter. He had 21 disposals and four inside 50s but it was his intent that showed he has plenty more to offer.
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| THE MEDIA | |
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Collingwood has signalled it should not be discounted from this year's finals calculations with an impressive 20-point win over Essendon at the MCG on Saturday that continued its recent ANZAC Day dominance. Few commentators had the Magpies in their predicted final eights ahead of this season but the Pies' unrelenting pressure around the ball against the Bombers helped them seal a 9.15 (69) to 6.13 (69) win that suggests the young side might be ready to return to September action earlier than many thought. In cold, dark, slippery and – in the last term – wet conditions at the MCG where a crowd of 88,395 saw more turnovers than they would at a Danish bakery, Collingwood did not allow the Bombers to get their potent possession game going. After leading by one-point at half-time, the Magpies powered away in the second half, piling on five goals to the Bombers' two to seal their fifth victory from the past six ANZAC Day clashes. Young defender Paul Seedsman was a star for the Magpies, racking up 31 possessions and 14 inside 50s across half-back to win the Anzac Medal. Seedsman also put in a nomination for goal of the day with a bouncing kick from 60m at the five-minute mark of the third term. Pies captain Scott Pendlebury (30 possessions) lead from the front, dominating through the midfield and pushing forward at times to stretch the Essendon defence. Midfielder Taylor Adams (29 possessions) and ANZAC Day specialist Dane Swan (21 possessions and a goal) were also important players for Collingwood, while key defenders Nathan Brown and Jack Frost teamed well together to limit the influence of Joe Daniher and Jake Carlisle on a tough day for key forwards. Cale Hooker was a rock for Essendon in defence, cutting off numerous Collingwood attacks with his intercept marking while keeping Travis Cloke to two goals. Dyson Heppell had a game-high 33 possessions, while Brent Stanton (30 possessions and two goals) and Dustin Fletcher (21 possessions, seven marks and a 60m drop punt goal in the second term that sent a roar around the MCG) were also among the Bombers' best. Collingwood's win was its 12th on ANZAC Day against Essendon since the teams established the annual blockbuster in 1995, with the Pies now leading the overall count 12-8. The inaugural game was a draw. The first half was a see-sawing contest. The Pies jumped out of the blocks from the opening bounce, short-circuiting the Bombers' possession game with ferocious pressure. Collingwood's dominance of general play was reflected in the inside 50 count (17-10) but its delivery to the forwards was poor and a Brent Stanton goal after the quarter-time siren cut the Pies' lead to eight points. The Pies started the second quarter in similar fashion but kicked two behinds to start the term. At that time, they led the inside 50 count 22-11 but from the six-minute mark of the quarter the game turned on its head. A Joe Daniher behind started a run of Essendon dominance that saw the Dons have the next nine scores – 2.7 – from 15 consecutive inside 50s to open up a nine-point lead at the 18-minute mark of the second quarter. But the Pies hit back after Jamie Elliott goaled at the 20-minute mark and had six of the last seven scores of the term – 1.5 – to go into half-time one point up. This particular Anzac Day wasn't an exceptional spectacle. The pre-game routines were exactly that. Rain and grey skies gave the afternoon a sombre, almost downbeat ambience, and there were few moments of audacious skill. A couple of long goals that skidded through – and a 60-metre bomb from a nearly 40-year-old Dustin Fletcher – were among the few occasions when people had cause to really rise from sodden seats. Collingwood's victory was predicated on effort and defensive intent. The Pies didn't play with efficiency or fluency. But they adapted far better to a wet-ball afternoon than the Bombers, who hung on to the ball without gaining ground. The Dons kicked sideways and backwards, with excessive deliberation and couldn't penetrate the black and white cluster in front of them. Collingwood, who applied unrelenting pressure on the ball carrier, had similar difficulties with skill. The difference was that the Magpies placed a greater store in gaining territory. The Pies played wet. The Bombers, as James Hird observed, were too dry. They prized possession too dearly and consequently paid a price, which was to be forever outnumbered in their scoring territory. To have 44 more uncontested marks and 35 more received handballs became a negative; on this day, it was territory – not possession – that counted. Paul Seedsman, hitherto on the fringes of selection, was most effective afield because he was the rare player who broke away from the endless unsightly scrums and drove the ball forward. The most meaningful measure of his performance – which saw him awarded the Anzac Medal – was not his 31 disposals. It was that he gained more than 900 metres. He sent the ball into Collingwood's forward 50m arc 14 times. No other player afield had more than six. "In the lead-up I was aware I hadn't performed very well on Anzac Day," said Seedsman, who said he had been "overawed" in his 2012 and 2013 Anzac Days. "But every week you go in wanting to play your role and execute and today I was able to." Seedsman's rivals for best afield were not the usual suspects of Dane Swan or Scott Pendlebury, each of whom were solid. In what was another theme of this grey day, it was the unglamorous no-names who thrived and outshone their famed teammates and opponents. After Seedsman, Collingwood's best included Jack Crisp, Jack Frost, Marley Williams, Taylor Adams and Nathan Brown. None would be spotted in a line-up, albeit Brown is a premiership full-back and the fierce Adams was sufficiently rated to be swapped directly for Heath Shaw. Essendon's Dyson Heppell was their sole star to figure in voting for the medal. "They're all competitors. They love the fight," said Collingwood assistant coach Scott Burns of the toilers. "You could see that today, and Seeds – when you look at our team – his ability to run and break the lines is really important." Crisp played on Essendon skipper Jobe Watson and severely impaired the champion's influence. Watson had 23 disposals, but did not penetrate. Crisp had played 22 games, four for Collingwood. Viewed as the add-on – the proverbial "steak knives" – in the Dayne Beams trade, Crisp wore Watson tightly, picked up 21 touches and crept forward in the third quarter to boot a long and significant goal, as his team made the decisive surge. Crisp had figured he would be on either Watson or Heppell. On Thursday, he was told it would be Watson. He went to work. "You watch a bit of footage from their previous games, find out strengths and weaknesses and obviously you go from there – try to expose them a little bit," said 190cm Crisp, who had noted that Watson was playing slightly differently, finding more uncontested balls to complement his superb inside game. "I was taking his body at the stoppage and working from there." Crisp played his role. Frost held both Jake Carlisle and Joe Daniher, made telling spoils and, with Brown, formed a pair of smother brothers. Williams defended stoutly, too. Outside of the Anzac pageantry, this grey game lacked colour. At the end, it was all black and white. |
FOOTBALL is so often a game of metres, and Collingwood used every bit of ground it could muster to orchestrate yet another ANZAC DAY victory over Essendon before 88,395 fans at the MCG. In doing so, the Magpies were able to restrict the space that the Bombers so often crave, in what was a highly-disciplined 20-point win based on relentless pressure. On an emotional 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings, and 20 years after the inaugural ANZAC DAY contest between these two sides, the Magpies continued their recent dominance over the Bombers on the most sacred day on the Australian calendar. Collingwood has now won eight of the past 10 ANZAC DAY clashes against Essendon. In keeping with the importance of the ground attained, ANZAC Medal winner Paul Seedsman gained 794 metres in a career-best performance. That was 356 metres more than the next best, Dyson Heppell, and Seedman’s performance saw him have 14 inside 50s — more than double that of any other player on the field. He set the scene with a slashing first term, and he not only nailed a 60-metre goal borne out of making the most of his opportunities, he also had countless scoring links. Ground was always going to be critical on a murky day that started in driving rain, eased out to little more than a drizzle and then brought in some wet weather at the start of the final term. Jamie Elliott used every bit of ground he could — and then some — to kick the first goal of the game when he nailed a superb running shot from an acute angle four minutes into the game. There was only one thing wrong with Elliott’s goal — he was clearly out of bounds when he kicked it. Fortunately for him, and for Collingwood, the boundary umpire giving chase, lost his footing and could not see what the rest of the crowd watched on the big screen a few moments later. It was the perfect start for the Magpies, and an indication of what was to come from a team so desperate to make the most of every chance it had. Essendon overused the ball; Collingwood used it wisely. Game over. The Bombers had almost 100 more touches, but the Magpies were able to squeeze the life out of their opponents, and allow them space only in the areas where it didn’t matter. That was a key factor in the way that Nathan Buckley’s team was able to control the match. At stages of the game, it seemed as if Essendon was going to click into gear. The Bombers threatened to do so during the second term, but wasted too many chances. And then the hard-tackling, the intercepts and the desire of the Magpies snuffed out those chances. A critical moment came during the mid-stages of the second term when the Bombers were coming, and David Zaharakis loomed large with the ball. Just as he appeared clear and ready to push Essendon forward, Tom Langdon laid a tackle that stopped him in his tracks, and that moment led to Elliott’s second goal of the game. It stopped the Essendon run and symbolised what Collingwood was prepared to do to win. Jack Crisp was outstanding in his role on one of the most dangerous players in the game, Jobe Watson. Watson had 23 touches; Crisp had 21; and the former Brisbane Lions player who was a part of the Dayne Beams trade in off-season showed the sort of discipline that summed up what the Magpies were all about. Collingwood’s defence was as rock solid as it has been in some time. Jack Frost and Nathan Brown combined brilliantly in the back half, and had the better of their opponents Joe Daniher (two goals) and Jake Carlisle (no goals), while the likes of Marley Williams, Tyson Goldsack, Langdon and Alan Toovey were key contributors in defending and moving the ball forward. An example of just how important the back half was came in the long gap between Essendon goals. When Zaharakis scored his second goal of the game at the seven-minute mark of the third term, the Bombers looked to be rallying. But they would not kick another major until Joe Daniher broke the long drought with a goal in junk time when the game was over. Heppell worked exceptionally hard for the Bombers, so much so that late in the contest Buckley pushed Crisp onto the player who looked capable of lifting the Bombers out of their slumber. Cale Hooker produced countless intercept marks and had the better of Travis Cloke, though the Magpie forward still managed two goals, including the critical first one in the final term. But in the end, Collingwood desperately wanted the ball more, was prepared to work harder for it, and used every bit of ground it could to bring about a memorable win on a memorable day in this country’s history. Collingwood's 20-point win over Essendon on ANZAC Day will foster belief in the team's direction, according to coach Nathan Buckley. With no passengers in the line-up, the Magpies built their win on tackling and closing down the opposition's space to restrict the Bombers to just 49 points, their lowest score since 2010. Buckley said every player contributed and he would be nit-picking if he focused on much else but the excellent effort of each player. He said it was a victory won on the ground rather than from the coach's box. "Days like today help with our belief and the way we go about it, why we do it and how we do it," Buckley said. "It doesn't really matter who it is against or where it is, the coach's tactics look pretty good when the players execute them and the effort is there." Commitment rather than class underpinned the win. Aside from Paul Seedsman's ANZAC Day Medal-winning effort, there were countless examples of Magpies who covered for teammates, created contests when they looked to be at a disadvantage or chased down Essendon runners. Key defender Jack Frost ran off his direct opponent to spoil free Essendon players on numerous occasions. Skipper Scott Pendlebury sat under high kicks to keep the ball inside 50. Brownlow Medallist Dane Swan chased like a man who only had winning on his mind. Apart from a 10-minute patch in the third quarter, such effort led to turnovers as the Magpies won both the inside 50s (61-57) and contested ball (165-161). "That effort comes from within them and a need and a want to stand up for their teammates as much as anyone and to take their chances," Buckley said. Impressed with individuals such as Jack Crisp who quelled Jobe Watson and then, to steal Adelaide coach Phil Walsh's term, 'cooled' Dyson Heppell when he began to look dangerous, Buckley said his performance simply reflected the team's approach. "(He's) just a young bloke having a crack," Buckley said. But what he has quickly become is someone the coach can trust when he needs to slow down an opposition playmaker as he showed when moved on to Heppell. "To have the confidence in Jack to do that is a big part of us," Buckley said. Not that anyone is getting comfortable at Collingwood. Buckley knows much improvement is required with former Collingwood premiership coach Mick Malthouse's record-breaking match at the MCG the Magpies' next assignment. Buckley said Malthouse deserves the praise he will get in the coming week but he is confident the event will not distract the Magpies' focus. "There are always external hooks that we look to but in the end we want to play our footy and take the next test and Carlton will be a test," Buckley said. |
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Round 4: The Team
Collingwood v Essendon
MCG 7mate / Fox Footy 2.30pm Weather: Min 10 Max 16 Chance of rain 90%: 5-10mm Wind: WSW 24kph Betting: Collingwood $2.90 Essendon $1.42 |
HB: Tom Langdon, Jack Frost, Jackson Ramsay
C: Travis Varcoe, Dane Swan, Jack Crisp
HF: Jamie Elliott, Jesse White, Tim Broomhead
F: Tyson Goldsack, Travis Cloke, Jarryd Blair
Foll: Brodie Grundy, Taylor Adams, Scott Pendlebury
Int: Sam Dwyer, Paul Seedsman, Adam Oxley, Corey Gault
Emerg: Darcy Moore, Patrick Karnezis, Jordan De Goey
IN: Taylor Adams
OUT: Patrick Karnezis (omitted)
Fast Fact
Travis Cloke and Dane Swan are set to become Collingwood's most experienced ANZAC Day players. The pair has each played 10 times on 25 April, equal with former teammates Scott Burns, Josh Fraser, Ben Johnson and Anthony Rocca. Essendon's Dustin Fletcher is set to line up for his 18th ANZAC Day match, ahead of the famous forward duo of Matthew Lloyd and Scott Lucas (13 and 12 respectively).
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Collingwood has named a team comprising eight ANZAC Day debutants for Saturday’s blockbuster against Essendon. The eight – Taylor Adams, Tim Broomhead, Corey Gault, Adam Oxley, Jackson Ramsay, Marley Williams and new recruits Jack Crisp and Travis Varcoe – will run out in front of a crowd of more than 90,000 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Of the six who were on Collingwood’s list prior to 2015, none have played in front of more than 79,000 people. Adams is the only inclusion for Saturday’s match, returning from a toe injury to replace Patrick Karnezis. It’s a timely return for the 21-year-old who cited the prospect of playing in front of big crowds at the home of football as one of the key factors behind his move to Collingwood in the October of 2013. The solitary change is indicative of a settled side following the Magpies’ 74-point win over St Kilda last Friday night. In fact, the match committee has named the exact same 25-man combination as it did ahead of the Saints match seven days ago. As a result, Karnezis joins teenage pair Jordan De Goey (one game) and Darcy Moore (yet to debut) as emergencies. The team is without 10 members from its last meeting with Essendon, which resulted in a 64-point loss in round 17, 2014, a full 286 days prior to Saturday’s match. To emphasise how much has changed in the months since, two players have retired while others are playing for clubs elsewhere. It’s a reflection of the way several new faces have taken hold on their spots in the senior side during the early weeks of the season. Collingwood enters the match with recent history on its side, having won seven of the past nine ANZAC Day encounters between the two clubs. In 20 meetings since 1995, the head-to-head ledger stands at 11-8 (one draw) in Collingwood’s favour. |
Preview Round 4: Collingwood v Essendon
Collingwood News - David Natoli
Whilst a number of other matches will be played on the Saturday, there is no doubting that all eyes will remain on the MCG for the traditional match which will likely be played in front of between 90,000 and 100,000 fans.
Both Collingwood and Essendon enter round four in good form, each sitting on two wins and one loss. With such an even competition, the winner will establish itself in the topper echelon of the ladder, while the loser remains right in the middle of the pack.
Starting with Collingwood, and I have been very impressed with the early season form despite the injury list remaining very high. Although the Magpies have very good depth, the majority of the injuries have struck in the midfield, meaning coach Nathan Buckley has had to find four to five new players to fill holes.
It can be said that Collingwood has not beaten a top eight team of last year as yet, but its wins have been convincing and have been important considering the lack of senior midfielders available for selection. More than half of the 22 last week had played under 50 games of footy, highlighting the real youthful mix in the Collingwood line-up at the moment.
Turning the focus onto Essendon, and I have been equally impressed with its start to the year.
Whilst the ASADA dramas appear to be behind the Bombers, it was always going to be interesting to see how they would start the year considering the majority of the senior players had no match practice in the pre-season due to interim suspensions.
The early fixture was not kind, either, with Sydney and Hawthorn as their opponents in the opening two rounds. Amazingly, the Bombers gave the Swans a real scare in round one, while they were able to cause a massive upset in round two against the Hawks. This form carried through last week with a comfortable victory over Carlton.
The only concern for Essendon so far this season has been the drastic fadeouts in last quarters. In each match this season, the Bombers have squandered big leads. At this stage, these fadeouts are likely due to the lack of match practice over the pre-season and the fact that far too many players may have entered the year without the requisite match fitness. With three rounds behind us, these players should now be fully match fit and the fadeouts should stop.
On the other hand, Collingwood has been impressive in last quarters over the past fortnight. I was particularly impressed by the fact that the Magpies really punished St Kilda last week and had a massive victory.
Putting sides away has been a real weakness for Collingwood for the past year, and the round three victory was the first time since round eleven last year that the Magpies scored over 100 points. Considering the youth in the side, it is good to see the Magpies are running out games strongly.
While Collingwood has finished strongly in the past fortnight, the same can’t be said about its starts. In round two, Adelaide was able to put the game away early before the Pies could get into the game. It also took the Magpies the majority of the first quarter to settle against St Kilda, and they risked getting blown away early. In contrast, Essendon has being starting games really strongly.
Essendon is a very strong outfit, and therefore Collingwood does not want to start slowly this round and rely on a comeback, despite the last quarter fadeouts discussed above. Buckley will be putting a lot of emphasis on getting the structures right from the outset this week.
At this stage, a chilly and wet day is forecast for Saturday. I don’t think the wet weather really benefits either side considering both sides enjoy contested footy. It might slightly favour Collingwood considering it leads the competition for contested disposals so far in 2015.
Recent History
A few months can be an enormously long time in football. In last year’s ANZAC Day match, the Magpies overcame a terribly slow start to pile on nine unanswered goals and run away with the match. But in round seventeen when these sides last met, the Bombers absolutely smashed the Magpies by 64 points. The Pies were only able to register five goals for the whole match.
In this match, Jake Carlisle polled the three Brownlow votes by booting four goals. Cale Hooker polled two votes with 23 disposals and nine marks and Brent Stanton was the leading disposal winner on the ground with 32 which earned him the one vote.
In last year’s ANZAC Day game, Dane Swan stole the show with four goals from 26 disposals. It was enough to earn him the ANZAC Day Medal and the three Brownlow votes. Steele Sidebottom was equally as influential, kicking three goals in the second quarter to turn the game. This earned him the two votes. Dyson Heppell was Essendon’s best with 33 disposals which earned him one vote. Scott Pendlebury was also prolific with 30 disposals.
At the Selection Table
It will be an interesting week for both coaches at selection. Everyone wants to be selected for the big ANZAC Day game and a number of players have performed strongly at VFL level.
Nathan Buckley will be hesitant to make too many changes to the side that beat St Kilda last week, as it was such an even team performance across the board.
He may have considered Ben Reid after two solid VFL hitouts, but it has since been revealed he received a knock to his quad. During his press conference, Buckley admitted Reid might need more time in the VFL before he really presses for senior selection.
Taylor Adams was a late withdrawal from last week’s game but has trained strongly so far this week. He will be keen to play his first ANZAC Day game for the club, but needs to prove his fitness during training on Thursday. Even if he does, it will be tough to break back into the side, but there is no doubt the midfield would be bolstered by his presence.
Other players pushing for selection include Collingwood’s two top 10 picks from last season in Jordan De Goey and Darcy Moore. Both have been fantastic at VFL level. Collingwood has a history of debuting promising players on ANZAC Day and I would not be surprised to see one of these guys get a chance this week. Moore, in particular, could be a smokey to debut considering Reid will be unavailable.
Jarrod Witts has also been in good form, but may struggle to earn a spot with Brodie Grundy dominating in the ruck playing a lone hand. Alex Fasolo responded well to his omission, kicking two goals last week at VFL level.
It’s exciting to hear that injured pair Clinton Young and Matthew Scharenberg will return the VFL over the next fortnight.
Essendon, on the other hand, will have to make at least one forced change this week with Adam Cooney ruled out for a month with a hamstring injury. It is a blow for the former Bulldog as he was starting to hit some good form for his new club. David Zaharakis is also under an injury cloud after he received a knee injury against Carlton last round. There is also some doubt over Carlisle but he is likely to play.
In their place, Jackson Merrett and Courtenay Dempsey have been solid at VFL level and look like obvious replacements at this stage. Kyle Langford is also pressing for selection, as is Will Hams. Jonathan Giles could also be an option if the Bombers want extra height or two ruckmen.
Focus on Collingwood
Despite injury, Collingwood has been able to unearth new faces to fill a few holes. It has also been impressive to see a number of players assist through the middle to help cover the void left by Sidebottom, Levi Greenwood and Brent Macaffer.
But the area of focus for me in this preview relates to the forward line.
In the opening two rounds, Buckley opted to play two tall forwards, and use Tyson Goldsack as the third tall in a defensive role. For mine, it didn’t necessarily work, with Travis Cloke and Jesse White struggling to hit the scoreboard.
Last round, Buckley played rookie Corey Gault as the third tall. Whilst Gault and White were relatively quiet, their presence drew defenders away from Cloke which meant Cloke had a number of one out opportunities.
As a result, he kicked five goals and probably could have kicked eight if he had his kicking boots on. Jamie Elliott also found space and booted four goals. Goldsack was thrown into defence where he also looked quite comfortable.
While Buckley will be looking for more from White and Gault, there is no doubt that the taller forward line worked in round three. It is just about finding the right personnel to support Cloke. It may be Jarrod Witts who comes in to support Grundy in the ruck, or youngster Darcy Moore may get his chance as he can play either end of the ground.
From my point of view, I think playing three tall forwards will be the strategy Buckley uses against Essendon as they have a terrific defence that likes to peel off and take intercept marks. Dustin Fletcher and Hooker, in particular, are the masters at this. By playing three talls, it should help keep the defenders accountable and draw attention away from Cloke. Weather may alter this strategy.
Player focus – Collingwood
Dane Swan – The Brownlow Medallist was written off at the end of 2014 as injuries began taking their toll. But Swanny has bounced back in 2015 and played a terrific game against the Saints. It was enough to earn him the perfect 10 votes from the coaches following his dominant performance. Swan is an ANZAC Day specialist and always performs well against the Bombers. The veteran continues to build as the year goes on. Importantly, he has really stepped up and lifted his game to help cover the absence of a number of key midfielders.
Adam Oxley – With the injury to Ben Reid, Oxley has been given a chance in defence and has taken it with both hands. He has had a wretched run with injuries in his first few years at the club, but finally has his body right. He was a forgotten man in many regards, and not many would have had him in their calculations for a senior position. But he has now cemented his spot with 33 disposals against the Crows and 22 against the Saints. He is a great user of the footy and has a good set of hands. At 193cm, he can play through the middle or at half back in a floating role, making him an ideal modern day footballer. The signs are very promising.
Travis Cloke – A lot of focus has been placed on Cloke’s goal kicking following a wayward display last round. While we all want to see Cloke hitting the scoreboard, I was very impressed by his game. Five goals was good reward, but it was his work rate which was most promising. On a number of occasions he led up hard at the ball to make a contest, which left crumbing opportunities for the likes of Sam Dwyer and Travis Varcoe who each kicked goals as a result. Cloke won’t get a stat for this, but his contribution is highly valuable. He is also roaming higher up the field with White and Gault able to stay closer to goal. His work rate has been the most impressive part of his game so far this season.
Brodie Grundy – In only his third year, Grundy is one of the in form ruckmen of the competition right now. He lost the mantle of number one ruck last year to Jarrod Witts but has quickly regained it after three very solid performances. He recorded career high statistics last week against St Kilda, highlighting his improved aerobic capacity to move around the ground and win the ball. His ruck work is also improving and he is having real influence in this department, giving the Magpies first use of the football. All he needs to do now is start clunking a few marks to really complete his game. It will be a terrific battle with Tom Bellchambers this weekend.
Jack Crisp – Crisp was considered merely the steak knives in the Dayne Beams deal last year and few Collingwood supporters would have had much of an idea what sort of player he was. However, he trained incredibly hard over the pre-season and was rewarded with a round one spot. His height, coupled with his terrific running ability and also his all-round game has made him a valuable asset to the side. He can play a run-with role, or also play inside if need be. Importantly, he is quick and breaks lines, and his kicking is improving as well. I look forward to seeing him on the big stage this week to see how he responds. He may get a run with role with a player such as Heppell, Stanton or even Brendon Goddard.
The Wrap Up
This should be an absolute classic ANZAC Day game. On paper, the Bombers are definitely more experienced and have the bigger names. But if the young players can all perform their roles in the same manner they did last week, and the senior players continue to lead from the front, then the Magpies have a lot of fire power and will take this game right up to Essendon. If Zaharakis and Cooney both miss, it really evens up the midfield battle as well.
Weather may have an impact. While I think both sides will deal with poor weather well, I think it ultimately benefits Collingwood as it might prefer a scrappy game.
I expect big numbers from Pendlebury and Swan, and equally high numbers from Watson and Heppell. I’m not expecting a lot of accountability through the middle and therefore centre clearances and contested footy will be crucial. Efficiency going forward will also be the key as I think both sides will give their forwards enough opportunities.
It may come down to which side converts these opportunities the best.
Collingwood by 10 points
Collingwood v Essendon
MCG 7mate / Fox Footy 2.30pm Weather: Min 10 Max 16 Chance of rain 90%: 5-10mm Wind: WSW 24kph Betting: Collingwood $2.90 Essendon $1.42 |
Both Collingwood and Essendon enter round four in good form, each sitting on two wins and one loss. With such an even competition, the winner will establish itself in the topper echelon of the ladder, while the loser remains right in the middle of the pack.
Starting with Collingwood, and I have been very impressed with the early season form despite the injury list remaining very high. Although the Magpies have very good depth, the majority of the injuries have struck in the midfield, meaning coach Nathan Buckley has had to find four to five new players to fill holes.
It can be said that Collingwood has not beaten a top eight team of last year as yet, but its wins have been convincing and have been important considering the lack of senior midfielders available for selection. More than half of the 22 last week had played under 50 games of footy, highlighting the real youthful mix in the Collingwood line-up at the moment.
Turning the focus onto Essendon, and I have been equally impressed with its start to the year.
Whilst the ASADA dramas appear to be behind the Bombers, it was always going to be interesting to see how they would start the year considering the majority of the senior players had no match practice in the pre-season due to interim suspensions.
The early fixture was not kind, either, with Sydney and Hawthorn as their opponents in the opening two rounds. Amazingly, the Bombers gave the Swans a real scare in round one, while they were able to cause a massive upset in round two against the Hawks. This form carried through last week with a comfortable victory over Carlton.
The only concern for Essendon so far this season has been the drastic fadeouts in last quarters. In each match this season, the Bombers have squandered big leads. At this stage, these fadeouts are likely due to the lack of match practice over the pre-season and the fact that far too many players may have entered the year without the requisite match fitness. With three rounds behind us, these players should now be fully match fit and the fadeouts should stop.
On the other hand, Collingwood has been impressive in last quarters over the past fortnight. I was particularly impressed by the fact that the Magpies really punished St Kilda last week and had a massive victory.
Putting sides away has been a real weakness for Collingwood for the past year, and the round three victory was the first time since round eleven last year that the Magpies scored over 100 points. Considering the youth in the side, it is good to see the Magpies are running out games strongly.
While Collingwood has finished strongly in the past fortnight, the same can’t be said about its starts. In round two, Adelaide was able to put the game away early before the Pies could get into the game. It also took the Magpies the majority of the first quarter to settle against St Kilda, and they risked getting blown away early. In contrast, Essendon has being starting games really strongly.
Essendon is a very strong outfit, and therefore Collingwood does not want to start slowly this round and rely on a comeback, despite the last quarter fadeouts discussed above. Buckley will be putting a lot of emphasis on getting the structures right from the outset this week.
At this stage, a chilly and wet day is forecast for Saturday. I don’t think the wet weather really benefits either side considering both sides enjoy contested footy. It might slightly favour Collingwood considering it leads the competition for contested disposals so far in 2015.
Recent History
A few months can be an enormously long time in football. In last year’s ANZAC Day match, the Magpies overcame a terribly slow start to pile on nine unanswered goals and run away with the match. But in round seventeen when these sides last met, the Bombers absolutely smashed the Magpies by 64 points. The Pies were only able to register five goals for the whole match.
In this match, Jake Carlisle polled the three Brownlow votes by booting four goals. Cale Hooker polled two votes with 23 disposals and nine marks and Brent Stanton was the leading disposal winner on the ground with 32 which earned him the one vote.
In last year’s ANZAC Day game, Dane Swan stole the show with four goals from 26 disposals. It was enough to earn him the ANZAC Day Medal and the three Brownlow votes. Steele Sidebottom was equally as influential, kicking three goals in the second quarter to turn the game. This earned him the two votes. Dyson Heppell was Essendon’s best with 33 disposals which earned him one vote. Scott Pendlebury was also prolific with 30 disposals.
At the Selection Table
It will be an interesting week for both coaches at selection. Everyone wants to be selected for the big ANZAC Day game and a number of players have performed strongly at VFL level.
Nathan Buckley will be hesitant to make too many changes to the side that beat St Kilda last week, as it was such an even team performance across the board.
He may have considered Ben Reid after two solid VFL hitouts, but it has since been revealed he received a knock to his quad. During his press conference, Buckley admitted Reid might need more time in the VFL before he really presses for senior selection.
Taylor Adams was a late withdrawal from last week’s game but has trained strongly so far this week. He will be keen to play his first ANZAC Day game for the club, but needs to prove his fitness during training on Thursday. Even if he does, it will be tough to break back into the side, but there is no doubt the midfield would be bolstered by his presence.
Other players pushing for selection include Collingwood’s two top 10 picks from last season in Jordan De Goey and Darcy Moore. Both have been fantastic at VFL level. Collingwood has a history of debuting promising players on ANZAC Day and I would not be surprised to see one of these guys get a chance this week. Moore, in particular, could be a smokey to debut considering Reid will be unavailable.
Jarrod Witts has also been in good form, but may struggle to earn a spot with Brodie Grundy dominating in the ruck playing a lone hand. Alex Fasolo responded well to his omission, kicking two goals last week at VFL level.
It’s exciting to hear that injured pair Clinton Young and Matthew Scharenberg will return the VFL over the next fortnight.
Essendon, on the other hand, will have to make at least one forced change this week with Adam Cooney ruled out for a month with a hamstring injury. It is a blow for the former Bulldog as he was starting to hit some good form for his new club. David Zaharakis is also under an injury cloud after he received a knee injury against Carlton last round. There is also some doubt over Carlisle but he is likely to play.
In their place, Jackson Merrett and Courtenay Dempsey have been solid at VFL level and look like obvious replacements at this stage. Kyle Langford is also pressing for selection, as is Will Hams. Jonathan Giles could also be an option if the Bombers want extra height or two ruckmen.
Focus on Collingwood
Despite injury, Collingwood has been able to unearth new faces to fill a few holes. It has also been impressive to see a number of players assist through the middle to help cover the void left by Sidebottom, Levi Greenwood and Brent Macaffer.
But the area of focus for me in this preview relates to the forward line.
In the opening two rounds, Buckley opted to play two tall forwards, and use Tyson Goldsack as the third tall in a defensive role. For mine, it didn’t necessarily work, with Travis Cloke and Jesse White struggling to hit the scoreboard.
Last round, Buckley played rookie Corey Gault as the third tall. Whilst Gault and White were relatively quiet, their presence drew defenders away from Cloke which meant Cloke had a number of one out opportunities.
As a result, he kicked five goals and probably could have kicked eight if he had his kicking boots on. Jamie Elliott also found space and booted four goals. Goldsack was thrown into defence where he also looked quite comfortable.
While Buckley will be looking for more from White and Gault, there is no doubt that the taller forward line worked in round three. It is just about finding the right personnel to support Cloke. It may be Jarrod Witts who comes in to support Grundy in the ruck, or youngster Darcy Moore may get his chance as he can play either end of the ground.
From my point of view, I think playing three tall forwards will be the strategy Buckley uses against Essendon as they have a terrific defence that likes to peel off and take intercept marks. Dustin Fletcher and Hooker, in particular, are the masters at this. By playing three talls, it should help keep the defenders accountable and draw attention away from Cloke. Weather may alter this strategy.
Player focus – Collingwood
Dane Swan – The Brownlow Medallist was written off at the end of 2014 as injuries began taking their toll. But Swanny has bounced back in 2015 and played a terrific game against the Saints. It was enough to earn him the perfect 10 votes from the coaches following his dominant performance. Swan is an ANZAC Day specialist and always performs well against the Bombers. The veteran continues to build as the year goes on. Importantly, he has really stepped up and lifted his game to help cover the absence of a number of key midfielders.
Adam Oxley – With the injury to Ben Reid, Oxley has been given a chance in defence and has taken it with both hands. He has had a wretched run with injuries in his first few years at the club, but finally has his body right. He was a forgotten man in many regards, and not many would have had him in their calculations for a senior position. But he has now cemented his spot with 33 disposals against the Crows and 22 against the Saints. He is a great user of the footy and has a good set of hands. At 193cm, he can play through the middle or at half back in a floating role, making him an ideal modern day footballer. The signs are very promising.
Travis Cloke – A lot of focus has been placed on Cloke’s goal kicking following a wayward display last round. While we all want to see Cloke hitting the scoreboard, I was very impressed by his game. Five goals was good reward, but it was his work rate which was most promising. On a number of occasions he led up hard at the ball to make a contest, which left crumbing opportunities for the likes of Sam Dwyer and Travis Varcoe who each kicked goals as a result. Cloke won’t get a stat for this, but his contribution is highly valuable. He is also roaming higher up the field with White and Gault able to stay closer to goal. His work rate has been the most impressive part of his game so far this season.
Brodie Grundy – In only his third year, Grundy is one of the in form ruckmen of the competition right now. He lost the mantle of number one ruck last year to Jarrod Witts but has quickly regained it after three very solid performances. He recorded career high statistics last week against St Kilda, highlighting his improved aerobic capacity to move around the ground and win the ball. His ruck work is also improving and he is having real influence in this department, giving the Magpies first use of the football. All he needs to do now is start clunking a few marks to really complete his game. It will be a terrific battle with Tom Bellchambers this weekend.
Jack Crisp – Crisp was considered merely the steak knives in the Dayne Beams deal last year and few Collingwood supporters would have had much of an idea what sort of player he was. However, he trained incredibly hard over the pre-season and was rewarded with a round one spot. His height, coupled with his terrific running ability and also his all-round game has made him a valuable asset to the side. He can play a run-with role, or also play inside if need be. Importantly, he is quick and breaks lines, and his kicking is improving as well. I look forward to seeing him on the big stage this week to see how he responds. He may get a run with role with a player such as Heppell, Stanton or even Brendon Goddard.
The Wrap Up
This should be an absolute classic ANZAC Day game. On paper, the Bombers are definitely more experienced and have the bigger names. But if the young players can all perform their roles in the same manner they did last week, and the senior players continue to lead from the front, then the Magpies have a lot of fire power and will take this game right up to Essendon. If Zaharakis and Cooney both miss, it really evens up the midfield battle as well.
Weather may have an impact. While I think both sides will deal with poor weather well, I think it ultimately benefits Collingwood as it might prefer a scrappy game.
I expect big numbers from Pendlebury and Swan, and equally high numbers from Watson and Heppell. I’m not expecting a lot of accountability through the middle and therefore centre clearances and contested footy will be crucial. Efficiency going forward will also be the key as I think both sides will give their forwards enough opportunities.
It may come down to which side converts these opportunities the best.
Collingwood by 10 points
Preview Round 4: Collingwood v Essendon
SPORTAL
Both sides have enjoyed promising starts to the season, but there are still many critics to answer for both teams. For Collingwood, the statistics paint a generally positive picture. They lead the competition for inside 50s in 2015, which was finally reflected on the scoreboard in Round 3 against St. Kilda. In addition to this, the Pies lead the competition in contested possession, a prized scalp considering sides such as Fremantle, Sydney, Port Adelaide and Hawthorn pride themselves in this area. Despite this, in the cold light of day, the Pies wins so far in 2015 have come against sides not predicted to feature in September in Brisbane and St. Kilda, and they were taken apart by a genuine top four prospect in Adelaide in Round 2. Pressure is also mounting on coach Nathan Buckley, who one would think would need to lead the Pies to the finals this year if he is to keep his job. This is a massive game for the Magpies if they are to be considered genuine finals contenders in season 2015. For Essendon, their start to the season has surprised many, considering they have pushed both Grand Finalists from last year to the end, having managed to knock off the defending premier in Hawthorn in Round 2. They looked in control against Carlton, and were never genuinely threatened by the Blues last Saturday. They sit 13th in the competition for contested possessions, but this may be a little misleading. Their inside and outside midfield compliment each other perfectly, finding the balance between brute strength, and outside run. The have played a strong, fast and attacking style of football in the first few rounds, bringing quality opposition unstuck with their precise ball movement. Carlisle and Zaharakis seem to be finding early form (despite both being lean last weekend in terms of disposals). Their only downfall seems to be their inability to close out games, which should come as no surprise considering their pre-season ASADA dramas, but this will get better throughout the year. Key Match-Ups Travis Cloke v Cale Hooker This will be the biggest match-up of the day, with Travis Cloke holding the key to Collingwood’s success. Cloke loves playing against the Dons, having kicked more goals against them, than any other club. He squandered a lot of easy opportunities last week, but despite this, still finished with five majors – a scary proposition for any defender. Cale Hooker on the other hand, has shut down the likes of Roughead, Franklin and Tippett (to an extent) in previous weeks. He’ll need to be at his best to ensure Cloke has a quiet day. Jobe Watson v Dane Swan This is a finger-licking match-up for all the midfield enthusiasts out there, with two of the game’s best big-bodied midfielders going head-to-head. Both are coming off massive efforts last week, with Watson gathering 36 and Swan 39 possessions. With both sides having plenty of outside running options, it may come down to which of these players can give these runners first use of the ball. In another twist, the weather is expected to turn nasty throughout the game, and a wet ball would only amplify the inside role that these men may have to play in order to lead their side to victory. Result It’s very tough to judge form on ANZAC Day, with emotion and momentum often the game’s driving factors. Both are coming off solid wins, and will be looking to have an early influence, through physicality and outside run. Essendon will start favourites, and so they should, having played quality football against quality opposition so far this season. It’s tough to see their balanced midfield succumbing to the streakiness of Collingwood, who may turn up on fire, or wilt under Essendon’s ball-movement and pressure. Bombers by 24. |
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| ROAR There have been so many memorable moments in the Anzac Day showpiece match, including the 1995 draw, the breath-taking performance of Andrew Lovett in 2005, and match-winning goals by David Zaharakis (Essendon) and Jarryd Blair (Collingwood) in 2009 and 2012 respectively. The Bombers entered this season having had 34 of their past and present players cleared of using a banned drug as part of the club’s controversial supplements program, and could so easily have been 3-0 to start the year. They led the Sydney Swans by 41 points deep in the third quarter in the opening round before capitulating to lose by 12 points. They went on to upset Hawthorn by two points in Round 2 and then defeat Carlton by 25 in Round 3. It puts them in good stead ahead of the match against the Pies, who will have the advantage of an eight-day break after having thrashed St Kilda by 74 points last Friday night, bouncing back from a poor showing against Adelaide in Round 2. The Pies’ only other victory for the season was a 12-point win over the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba in Round 1. In an interesting footnote, Essendon development coach and former Melbourne coach Mark Neeld will once again be involved in the Anzac Day match, having spent four years as an assistant coach at Collingwood between 2008 and 2011. Prediction: Essendon by 20 points. |
Preview Round 4: Collingwood v Essendon
SportMatt
ANZAC Day, the 25th of April, has become as revered as any date on the Australian and New Zealand calendar. It’s the day that we, as Australians, remember those who fought for us, and honour their deeds and sacrifices. Since 1995, the Collingwood and Essendon football clubs have had the distinct honour of representing Australia’s indigenous code, Australian Rules, in a game played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. That first game, some 20 years ago now, came about from meetings between then Victorian RSL (Returned Services League) President Bruce Ruxton and Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy. For years the RSL hadn’t supported games played on ANZAC day, but Ruxton and Sheedy saw it as a way to honour the day as well as raising awareness. 20 years on and ANZAC day is the national day for Australian’s and New Zealanders, with sport, and this game in particular playing a large role in raising the respect and interest in this day. That first game was a cracker, with scores level at the final siren in front of a sell out MCG crowd.
As important as the day is, there is a game to be played too, and it’s a vital game for both clubs seasons. Essendon, free of the ASADA saga that has weighed them down for almost three seasons, have made a remarkable start to season 2015 with two wins and a narrow loss to the Sydney Swans. Collingwood, a side many didn’t expect to even play finals this year, also sit on 2 wins and 1 loss after success against the Lions and Saints. This game therefore gives one of these clubs an opportunity to get a head start on many in the competition, and really put them on their way to playing finals in season 2015. Usually these ANZAC day clashes are close and hard fought regardless of ladder position, with some epic upsets having occurred, such as 2002 when the Pies shocked a Bombers side coming off a Grand Final defeat, and 2009 when a struggling Essendon side defeated one of the premiership favourites with almost the last kick of the game. It’s a great occasion, and honour for both clubs and the game itself usually stands up well on it’s own.
PREVIOUS FORM
Collingwood as expected have been inconsistent so far this season, even with only three rounds completed. The Pies started the season in style, holding off a fast finishing Brisbane Lions at the GABBA. The Magpies then ventured to Etihad in round 2 against one of the in form teams of the competition, the Adelaide Crows, and were never in the game losing by 27 points. Last Friday night Collingwood lined up against St Kilda in their first home game of the season at the mighty MCG. Some had picked the Saints to upset the Pies and when St Kilda kicked the first three goals those selections didn’t look so silly. The Saints took a 1 point lead into the first break but from then on the Magpies really did dominate. Led by Dane Swan, Scott Pendlebury, Brodie Grundy and Tim Broomhead the Pies ripped the Saints apart and by three quarter time held a 52 point lead. The Collingwood forward line clicked for the first time this season also with Travis Cloke kicking 5 goals from 11 shots and Jamie Elliott taking a mark of the year contender as well as booting 4 majors on his own. It was an impressive performance from the Magpies indeed.
Essendon started the season up in Sydney and at three quarter time of that game looked like coming away with an improbable win. The Bombers led by 34 points at that final change but didn’t score in the final quarter as the Swans came over the top of them to win by 12 points. The following week there was enough grand finalist facing up against them, the Hawks. This time they didn’t fade late though as they recorded one of the clubs best wins in recent history. Last Saturday the Bombers had a relatively easy win over Carlton at the M.C.G. Despite the Blues attempting a late comeback and getting within 14 points Essendon looked like winning the whole day as they improved to a 2-1 win/loss record. Captain Jobe Watson led from the front once again and had able support in the form of Heppell, Goddard, Hooker and Zaharakis. Those 2 wins have made for a good start to the season for Essendon, especially considering the difficulty of their draw so far.
COLLINGWOOD PREVIEW
Collingwood have started the season well for a team that many tipped to miss the final eight quite easily. The two wins have been dominant at times while the loss to Adelaide showed the inconsistency that both youth and inexperience brings. The Pies midfield has been badly effected by injuries so far in 2015 with the loss of Levi Greenwood and Steele Sidebottom to long term injuries. Taylor Adams missed last week’s win over the Saints but he is almost certain to return and provide plenty of assistance to Swan, Pendlebury, Crisp, Dwyer and Broomhead. That’s one area that Collingwood will look to exploit Essendon in, the midfield, especially with Adam Cooney certain to be missing and David Zaharakis likely to be out injured also. Third year ruckman Brodie Grundy is also starting to enforce himself onto games and should be an adequate match up for Tom Bellchambers.
Collingwood will have to be efficient when they go inside forward 50 though if they are to win this game and the new look three pronged tall forward line should do just that. Whether Corey Gault or Jarrod Witts are selected as ruck relief for Grundy, their mere presence up forward takes pressure of Cloke, White and Elliott. Essendon’s backline has improved in recent seasons but this new look Magpies forward structure may stretch it to it’s limits. Collingwood’s backline has held up fairly well in the first few games of the season, even under intense pressure against Adelaide they didn’t concede 100 points. Nathan Brown and Jack Frost have held down the key positions in defense quite well so far but it’s been the youngsters that have improved this area for the Pies. Jackson Ramsay, Adam Oxley and Tom Langdon have all been impressive with Langdon already drawing comparisons to Nick Maxwell and James Clement, an honour indeed.
The Magpies VFL side had a season opening loss up at North Ballarat on Sunday but there were some players who staked claims for promotion. Alex Fasolo was the Pies best forward while Jarrod Witts was the dominant ruckman on the ground. Youngsters Darcy Moore, Jonathan Marsh, Jordan De Goey and Nathan Freeman also pushed their cases for senior selection.
The Pies can win this game, the recent injuries that have weakened Essendon’s midfield really gives them a chance of starting the season with a 3 win and 1 loss record, something very few so called experts gave them a chance of achieving.
OPPOSITION ANALYSIS
Essendon came into season 2015 hoping that for once their football would be talked about and not the long running drugs controversy. Their first 3 performances have started to tip the scale that way indeed, especially the win over the Hawks in round 2. They kept the Hawks total to 76 points, that’s almost certainly going to be a season low for the reigning premiers, and was the most impressive aspect of a great win for the Bombers. Last week’s game win over the lowly Blues wasn’t as impressive but it was still a win. It did come at a cost though with Adam Cooney certain to miss with a hamstring injury and David Zaharakis likely to miss with a slight knee injury. Essendon at their best could contend for a top 4 spot, but it will be interesting to see how they cope now their midfield has been weakened.
With the absence of Cooney, Winderlich, Hocking, Myers and probably Zaharakis the Essendon midfield has been weakened severely. So has Collingwood’s though, with no Sidebottom or Greenwood to call upon on ANZAC day. Essendon still has some elite talent in the middle though with Watson Heppell and Goddard set to lead the way against the Pies. To even match the Magpies midfield though some of the Bombers lesser lights will have to greatly assist their stars, and that’s where Stanton, Merrett and Melksham come in. Stanton has a great recent record against the Pies and if he steps up the missing players won’t be missed as much. Tom Bellchambers is a capable ruckman who does his best work around the ground, and this week he comes up against the best young ruckman in the AFL, Brodie Grundy, who was close to best on ground last week. Games can be won or lost in the midfield if one team can get a dominance, but it seems as if this game will be fairly even in the middle.
Essendon’s defense has grown in strength and effectiveness over the past few seasons. The versatility of Carlisle and Hurley has allowed the Bombers to pick their best matchups down back each week, something that is so important in today’s football. Cale Hooker is the main stay in defense and is a reliable full back for Essendon. Against a Magpies offence that is still finding it’s form Mark Baguley may be a crucial player, as he is almost certain to take the close to elite small forward Jamie Elliott, who burst back into form last week with 4 goals and a mark of the year contender. The Bombers will have to be an effective defensive unit against a Pies forward line that does seem to be improving week by week.
The Essendon forward line at first glance seems to be a work in progress. Led by third year father/son recruit Joe Daniher, a player of great potential, the Bombers attack has shown that it can be dangerous if everything clicks. Of course having Paul Chapman down their helps too, and he’s another who has a good record against Collingwood, all be it as a Cat more then a Bomber. The Magpies backline is solid without being spectacular and as Adelaide showed if you can get the ball in their quickly it can be exposed for a lack of pace on transition. This might be the one area of the ground that Essendon will look to dominate, although the probable absence of Zaharakis, their best goal kicking midfielder, does hurt the attack a fair bit.
If you played this game 10 times the Bombers best 22 would win 7-8 of those contests, but with injuries to both teams Essendon will have to rely on depth, and it’s yet to be determined how strong their depth is. ANZAC day games are always hard fought, and usually come down to the last quarter with very little between the two sides. There in lies a problem for the Bombers, they haven’t run games out well so far this season, so for their sake hopefully three full games under their belts means they are ready for a four quarter effort.
TIP
After round two very few would have given the Magpies a chance in this game, especially given what had just happened. Essendon had just defeated the reigning premiers in a classic while the Pies looked limp and lifeless versus an improving Adelaide outfit. Fast forward one week though and things have changed, Collingwood absolutely dominated a weak St Kilda team while Essendon themselves struggled to overcome their own bottom four opponent, Carlton.
On form Essendon still hold the advantage but the injuries to Cooney and Zaharakis do bring them back to the back, that’s for sure. Add the absence of Myers, Winderlich and Hocking and Collingwood for once may have an advantage on the injury front. I can see the Bombers starting this game very quickly, in an aim to pressure the younger Pies into mistakes and build a match winning lead. If however Collingwood can stay in the game early, I can see them over running an Essendon team that is as depleted as it has been at any point in this short season. Collingwood to win in another classic ANZAC day clash is my tip.
MAGPIES BY 7 POINTS.
Collingwood v Essendon
MCG 7mate / Fox Footy 2.30pm Weather: Min 10 Max 16 Chance of rain 90%: 5-10mm Wind: WSW 24kph Betting: Collingwood $2.90 Essendon $1.42 |
As important as the day is, there is a game to be played too, and it’s a vital game for both clubs seasons. Essendon, free of the ASADA saga that has weighed them down for almost three seasons, have made a remarkable start to season 2015 with two wins and a narrow loss to the Sydney Swans. Collingwood, a side many didn’t expect to even play finals this year, also sit on 2 wins and 1 loss after success against the Lions and Saints. This game therefore gives one of these clubs an opportunity to get a head start on many in the competition, and really put them on their way to playing finals in season 2015. Usually these ANZAC day clashes are close and hard fought regardless of ladder position, with some epic upsets having occurred, such as 2002 when the Pies shocked a Bombers side coming off a Grand Final defeat, and 2009 when a struggling Essendon side defeated one of the premiership favourites with almost the last kick of the game. It’s a great occasion, and honour for both clubs and the game itself usually stands up well on it’s own.
PREVIOUS FORM
Collingwood as expected have been inconsistent so far this season, even with only three rounds completed. The Pies started the season in style, holding off a fast finishing Brisbane Lions at the GABBA. The Magpies then ventured to Etihad in round 2 against one of the in form teams of the competition, the Adelaide Crows, and were never in the game losing by 27 points. Last Friday night Collingwood lined up against St Kilda in their first home game of the season at the mighty MCG. Some had picked the Saints to upset the Pies and when St Kilda kicked the first three goals those selections didn’t look so silly. The Saints took a 1 point lead into the first break but from then on the Magpies really did dominate. Led by Dane Swan, Scott Pendlebury, Brodie Grundy and Tim Broomhead the Pies ripped the Saints apart and by three quarter time held a 52 point lead. The Collingwood forward line clicked for the first time this season also with Travis Cloke kicking 5 goals from 11 shots and Jamie Elliott taking a mark of the year contender as well as booting 4 majors on his own. It was an impressive performance from the Magpies indeed.
Essendon started the season up in Sydney and at three quarter time of that game looked like coming away with an improbable win. The Bombers led by 34 points at that final change but didn’t score in the final quarter as the Swans came over the top of them to win by 12 points. The following week there was enough grand finalist facing up against them, the Hawks. This time they didn’t fade late though as they recorded one of the clubs best wins in recent history. Last Saturday the Bombers had a relatively easy win over Carlton at the M.C.G. Despite the Blues attempting a late comeback and getting within 14 points Essendon looked like winning the whole day as they improved to a 2-1 win/loss record. Captain Jobe Watson led from the front once again and had able support in the form of Heppell, Goddard, Hooker and Zaharakis. Those 2 wins have made for a good start to the season for Essendon, especially considering the difficulty of their draw so far.
COLLINGWOOD PREVIEW
Collingwood have started the season well for a team that many tipped to miss the final eight quite easily. The two wins have been dominant at times while the loss to Adelaide showed the inconsistency that both youth and inexperience brings. The Pies midfield has been badly effected by injuries so far in 2015 with the loss of Levi Greenwood and Steele Sidebottom to long term injuries. Taylor Adams missed last week’s win over the Saints but he is almost certain to return and provide plenty of assistance to Swan, Pendlebury, Crisp, Dwyer and Broomhead. That’s one area that Collingwood will look to exploit Essendon in, the midfield, especially with Adam Cooney certain to be missing and David Zaharakis likely to be out injured also. Third year ruckman Brodie Grundy is also starting to enforce himself onto games and should be an adequate match up for Tom Bellchambers.
Collingwood will have to be efficient when they go inside forward 50 though if they are to win this game and the new look three pronged tall forward line should do just that. Whether Corey Gault or Jarrod Witts are selected as ruck relief for Grundy, their mere presence up forward takes pressure of Cloke, White and Elliott. Essendon’s backline has improved in recent seasons but this new look Magpies forward structure may stretch it to it’s limits. Collingwood’s backline has held up fairly well in the first few games of the season, even under intense pressure against Adelaide they didn’t concede 100 points. Nathan Brown and Jack Frost have held down the key positions in defense quite well so far but it’s been the youngsters that have improved this area for the Pies. Jackson Ramsay, Adam Oxley and Tom Langdon have all been impressive with Langdon already drawing comparisons to Nick Maxwell and James Clement, an honour indeed.
The Magpies VFL side had a season opening loss up at North Ballarat on Sunday but there were some players who staked claims for promotion. Alex Fasolo was the Pies best forward while Jarrod Witts was the dominant ruckman on the ground. Youngsters Darcy Moore, Jonathan Marsh, Jordan De Goey and Nathan Freeman also pushed their cases for senior selection.
The Pies can win this game, the recent injuries that have weakened Essendon’s midfield really gives them a chance of starting the season with a 3 win and 1 loss record, something very few so called experts gave them a chance of achieving.
OPPOSITION ANALYSIS
Essendon came into season 2015 hoping that for once their football would be talked about and not the long running drugs controversy. Their first 3 performances have started to tip the scale that way indeed, especially the win over the Hawks in round 2. They kept the Hawks total to 76 points, that’s almost certainly going to be a season low for the reigning premiers, and was the most impressive aspect of a great win for the Bombers. Last week’s game win over the lowly Blues wasn’t as impressive but it was still a win. It did come at a cost though with Adam Cooney certain to miss with a hamstring injury and David Zaharakis likely to miss with a slight knee injury. Essendon at their best could contend for a top 4 spot, but it will be interesting to see how they cope now their midfield has been weakened.
With the absence of Cooney, Winderlich, Hocking, Myers and probably Zaharakis the Essendon midfield has been weakened severely. So has Collingwood’s though, with no Sidebottom or Greenwood to call upon on ANZAC day. Essendon still has some elite talent in the middle though with Watson Heppell and Goddard set to lead the way against the Pies. To even match the Magpies midfield though some of the Bombers lesser lights will have to greatly assist their stars, and that’s where Stanton, Merrett and Melksham come in. Stanton has a great recent record against the Pies and if he steps up the missing players won’t be missed as much. Tom Bellchambers is a capable ruckman who does his best work around the ground, and this week he comes up against the best young ruckman in the AFL, Brodie Grundy, who was close to best on ground last week. Games can be won or lost in the midfield if one team can get a dominance, but it seems as if this game will be fairly even in the middle.
Essendon’s defense has grown in strength and effectiveness over the past few seasons. The versatility of Carlisle and Hurley has allowed the Bombers to pick their best matchups down back each week, something that is so important in today’s football. Cale Hooker is the main stay in defense and is a reliable full back for Essendon. Against a Magpies offence that is still finding it’s form Mark Baguley may be a crucial player, as he is almost certain to take the close to elite small forward Jamie Elliott, who burst back into form last week with 4 goals and a mark of the year contender. The Bombers will have to be an effective defensive unit against a Pies forward line that does seem to be improving week by week.
The Essendon forward line at first glance seems to be a work in progress. Led by third year father/son recruit Joe Daniher, a player of great potential, the Bombers attack has shown that it can be dangerous if everything clicks. Of course having Paul Chapman down their helps too, and he’s another who has a good record against Collingwood, all be it as a Cat more then a Bomber. The Magpies backline is solid without being spectacular and as Adelaide showed if you can get the ball in their quickly it can be exposed for a lack of pace on transition. This might be the one area of the ground that Essendon will look to dominate, although the probable absence of Zaharakis, their best goal kicking midfielder, does hurt the attack a fair bit.
If you played this game 10 times the Bombers best 22 would win 7-8 of those contests, but with injuries to both teams Essendon will have to rely on depth, and it’s yet to be determined how strong their depth is. ANZAC day games are always hard fought, and usually come down to the last quarter with very little between the two sides. There in lies a problem for the Bombers, they haven’t run games out well so far this season, so for their sake hopefully three full games under their belts means they are ready for a four quarter effort.
TIP
After round two very few would have given the Magpies a chance in this game, especially given what had just happened. Essendon had just defeated the reigning premiers in a classic while the Pies looked limp and lifeless versus an improving Adelaide outfit. Fast forward one week though and things have changed, Collingwood absolutely dominated a weak St Kilda team while Essendon themselves struggled to overcome their own bottom four opponent, Carlton.
On form Essendon still hold the advantage but the injuries to Cooney and Zaharakis do bring them back to the back, that’s for sure. Add the absence of Myers, Winderlich and Hocking and Collingwood for once may have an advantage on the injury front. I can see the Bombers starting this game very quickly, in an aim to pressure the younger Pies into mistakes and build a match winning lead. If however Collingwood can stay in the game early, I can see them over running an Essendon team that is as depleted as it has been at any point in this short season. Collingwood to win in another classic ANZAC day clash is my tip.
MAGPIES BY 7 POINTS.
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Injury List
| Injury Update Tuesday, April 21 |
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player
|
Injury
|
Status
|
|||
| Levi Greenwood* | Fractured ankle | 7-9 weeks | |||
| Ben Kennedy | Virus | Test | |||
| Brent Macaffer* | Knee | 5-7 weeks | |||
| Ben Reid | Corked leg | TBC | |||
| Matt Scharenberg | Knee | 1-2 weeks | |||
| Steele Sidebottom | Broken thumb | 7-8 weeks | |||
| Ben Sinclair | Hamstring | 4-6 weeks | |||
| *Placed on the club's long-term injury list | |||||
|
Cloke was again wayward in booting 5.4 against St Kilda last Friday night. Despite playing an influential role in the Magpies' 74-point win, it was the forward’s two misses from directly in front, albeit on slight angles, that emerged as major talking points out of the game. But Buckley said the club was confident the work of sports psychologist Daryl Marchant would play a key role in straightening up Cloke's and the rest of the team's goal kicking. "The best goalkickers are very consistent, regardless of the circumstances," Buckley said on Tuesday morning. "Trav's improved markedly in that. So we'll back the work that he's doing and that he'll continue with." Marchant worked closely with Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd, and according to Buckley, played a key role in turning the full forward from a solid shot at goal to leading exponent of the set-shot craft. The sports psychologist has been working with the Collingwood players once a week over the past fortnight. Buckley said it was important for Cloke to stick to his routine regardless of the external distractions. "The ability to be able to stick to routine regardless of circumstances that you're in (is crucial), whether it’s 10 metres out straight in front or 50 metres out on an angle," Buckley said. "No two shots are the same, but you're wanting to have the same routine. "So it's the composure and practice of routine to be able to go and execute." Cloke has kicked 398 goals and 327 behinds during his 11-year AFL career. The Magpie forward is likely to be shooting for goal in front of close to 100,000 people as Collingwood takes on Essendon in Saturday's showpiece Anzac Day clash. According to Buckley, youngster Darcy Moore is a chance to debut after impressive form in the VFL in recent weeks. Moore, who was pick No.9 in last year's draft, has been training as a defender and Buckley said the young tall was certainly in the mix for the huge game against the Bombers. "He's playing some really good footy, Darcy," Buckley said. "We've got some boys putting their hands up for selection in the VFL week in week out. "When we're still settling and finding our best mix at the top, there will be changes. But we had some really good performers last week (against St Kilda) so I wouldn't imagine there would be too many." Midfielder Taylor Adams trained strongly on Tuesday and will need to prove his fitness on Thursday to be in consideration for Saturday's game. Buckley allayed fears of a major injury setback for Ben Reid, who underwent scans on Tuesday morning, having been unable to finish the Magpies' VFL game two days earlier. "There's no muscle disruption. We're treating it like a mild corkie," Buckley said. "He (Reid) may be running in two days. He may be a chance to play (VFL) this week. Buckley dismissed the notion Reid would never play at the top level again. "He just needs a bit of luck as much as anything, to get his hard work rewarded," he said of the 25-year-old. |
The 25-year-old took the field in Collingwood's VFL match against North Ballarat at Eureka Stadium last Sunday. Reid's experience was on display in the first half – where he took several overhead marks – but the injury-prone Magpie was rested in the final quarter. Buckley said Reid would now have scans to determine the severity of the injury. "He didn't finish the game. He hasn't had a scan today, he'll have a scan at some stage over the next couple of days," Buckley told Fox Footy on Monday night. "It is a quad nick, we think it's just superficial. "We'll have a look and see what it is, but the doctors have pretty much said that this is going to be really minor." Reid managed just four games for the Magpies last season after being troubled by quad, calf and hamstring injuries. Despite Reid's latest setback, Buckley said the versatile tall could resume training next week. "I don't reckon he'll play this week but he could be back at training in a week and then it'll be building back up," he said. "We've been really enthused by his past three months … the work that he's been able to put in, we feel like he's made great progress. "We've been at pains that we're going to take our time with him. "We have to get him up and running and when he's up, it will be for the long term. "So we're still in the same process. "We believe we're going to get an All Australian player back." |
Collingwood v Essendon: An ANZAC Day Reflection
The Age - Ian Syson*
To write about sport and war is to risk censure: Why bring sport into it? Why bring war into it? Why combine the two? Moreover, in trying to balance personal attitudes towards war and military institutions with feelings of sympathy for the individuals and families killed and maimed by war, writers invite contradiction and ambiguity into their argument. The writer's taste for one can turn sour because of the lack of appetite for the other. So why bother to struggle with this dilemma?
Like it or not, in contemporary Australia in late April, it becomes necessary, if not mandatory, to contemplate sport and war. Our leading football codes put the connection front and centre.
The AFL and NRL conduct highly publicised and highly popular Anzac Day matches. It's a new tradition to which supporters of both codes have been drawn in large numbers. Since 1995 Collingwood and Essendon have battled for Anzac supremacy at the MCG. St George and the Roosters commemorate the day in the NRL.
In recent years a cross-Tasman NRL game between Melbourne Storm and New Zealand Warriors has also been added to the Anzac Day mix.
And there's something to be said for it. Both codes provided a great number of troops who served at Gallipoli and across Europe, many of whom were never to return. Collingwood lost six players, Essendon seven. So these clubs' own histories add to the solemnity of Anzac commemorations.
Yet something is missing in these memorialisations. Many things in fact. Whole segments of a bloody and divided story are left out of the tale we are usually told.
We were not a nation united in support of Britain's prosecution of the First World War. Many Australians were set against it. The voting patterns in the conscription referendums, first in 1916 (the ''Yes'' vote lost narrowly) and again in 1917 (''Yes'' lost by a wider margin) make it clear that most Australians were against conscription. Many of them would have also been against the war.
Opponents to conscription came from many quarters. Catholics, republicans, the Irish, socialists, unionists and pacifists all had reason to be anti-war and anti-conscription. And they came together as a united force. The ANZAC Day Commemoration Committee of Queensland website claims:
''One reason why so many opposed conscription was that it provided a focus for a lot of different points of view about the war. Some people opposed the war; others were opposed to conscription as a principle; others were saying that they were hurt by the economic situation of the war, and were protesting against that; still others were voting to protect unionism; others were protesting at the British treatment of the rebels in Ireland. Normally these people might not have agreed with each other on many things, but they all agreed on the conscription question, and the issue gave them all a chance to express their opposition.''
As Melbourne's dominant sporting code, Australian rules football reflected that diversity and opposition. One of the leading figures in the anti-conscription movement, Cardinal Daniel Mannix, happened to be a cultural and spiritual powerbroker within the Irish-Catholic community of Collingwood and his opinions and instructions carried great weight for many supporters of the Collingwood Football Club.
He came increasingly to speak out against the war and conscription, especially after the Irish Easter Rising of 1916. While Mannix's influence was counterbalanced by Collingwood Football Club patron John Wren's support for conscription, this tension underlines the point that there was little collective sense of unity of purpose in relation to the war.
The problem of the contemporary remembering of Anzac is that the narrative it drives is wrong, one of an already united nation forging its identity on a Turkish beach. When we see the Collingwood and Essendon players lining up before the clash we are led to see them in unity, as different factions of one overarching national brotherhood. We are encouraged to believe in a myth.
A mature and sophisticated Anzac Day footy narrative would see the teams as representing divergent positions across the Catholic/Protestant, republican/imperial divides. It would tell stories of both protest and loyalty. We would be asked as viewers/spectators to reflect on how diverse and antagonistic communities came to see themselves as united (or not) through the sacrifices made in war. It might even encourage the radical idea that our presently diverse and divided communities are similarly capable of establishing symbols of unity.
Nowhere does the myth as it stands acknowledge that at the time of the Gallipoli landing many Collingwood supporters (and supporters from many of the Catholic inner-city football clubs in Melbourne and Sydney) would have been very strongly against what they saw as the British imperialist war. Nor does the myth reveal the fact that the Australian Imperial Force was largely made up of Protestant soldiers. The embarkation lists in 1914-15 indicate that a small percentage were Catholic. In the three nominal rolls I looked at, about 12 per cent of the initial enlistments were Catholics. Maybe I got a bad sample. But I don't think so.
Another point lost in the telling of Anzac is that between 20 and 25 per cent of troops in the very first Australian troop ships were British born, many of them recently arrived migrants. (Now revisit a crucial vehicle in the rebuilding of the legend, Peter Weir's Gallipoli and see if the soldiers' accents reflect that statistic.) The first to fall at Gallipoli (from the 11th Battalion) were in about equal measure Australian and non-Australian born.
If it is important to commemorate Anzac Day, then it is important that we remember it well and not just via slick commercialised performances. We should remember it in as much detail as we are able. We need to remember who was there, who wasn't, why they were there and why many refused. Until the commemorations do this they will remain evasive moments of myth-making. We need to remember all, or nothing.
*Ian Syson teaches literary studies and professional writing at Victoria University. He is researching the history of the football codes in Australia.
Collingwood v Essendon
MCG 7mate / Fox Footy 2.30pm Weather: Min 7 Max 14 Chance of rain 80%: 5-10mm Wind: NNE 28kph Betting: Collingwood $2.85 Essendon $1.42 |
Like it or not, in contemporary Australia in late April, it becomes necessary, if not mandatory, to contemplate sport and war. Our leading football codes put the connection front and centre.
The AFL and NRL conduct highly publicised and highly popular Anzac Day matches. It's a new tradition to which supporters of both codes have been drawn in large numbers. Since 1995 Collingwood and Essendon have battled for Anzac supremacy at the MCG. St George and the Roosters commemorate the day in the NRL.
In recent years a cross-Tasman NRL game between Melbourne Storm and New Zealand Warriors has also been added to the Anzac Day mix.
And there's something to be said for it. Both codes provided a great number of troops who served at Gallipoli and across Europe, many of whom were never to return. Collingwood lost six players, Essendon seven. So these clubs' own histories add to the solemnity of Anzac commemorations.
Yet something is missing in these memorialisations. Many things in fact. Whole segments of a bloody and divided story are left out of the tale we are usually told.
We were not a nation united in support of Britain's prosecution of the First World War. Many Australians were set against it. The voting patterns in the conscription referendums, first in 1916 (the ''Yes'' vote lost narrowly) and again in 1917 (''Yes'' lost by a wider margin) make it clear that most Australians were against conscription. Many of them would have also been against the war.
Opponents to conscription came from many quarters. Catholics, republicans, the Irish, socialists, unionists and pacifists all had reason to be anti-war and anti-conscription. And they came together as a united force. The ANZAC Day Commemoration Committee of Queensland website claims:
''One reason why so many opposed conscription was that it provided a focus for a lot of different points of view about the war. Some people opposed the war; others were opposed to conscription as a principle; others were saying that they were hurt by the economic situation of the war, and were protesting against that; still others were voting to protect unionism; others were protesting at the British treatment of the rebels in Ireland. Normally these people might not have agreed with each other on many things, but they all agreed on the conscription question, and the issue gave them all a chance to express their opposition.''
As Melbourne's dominant sporting code, Australian rules football reflected that diversity and opposition. One of the leading figures in the anti-conscription movement, Cardinal Daniel Mannix, happened to be a cultural and spiritual powerbroker within the Irish-Catholic community of Collingwood and his opinions and instructions carried great weight for many supporters of the Collingwood Football Club.
He came increasingly to speak out against the war and conscription, especially after the Irish Easter Rising of 1916. While Mannix's influence was counterbalanced by Collingwood Football Club patron John Wren's support for conscription, this tension underlines the point that there was little collective sense of unity of purpose in relation to the war.
The problem of the contemporary remembering of Anzac is that the narrative it drives is wrong, one of an already united nation forging its identity on a Turkish beach. When we see the Collingwood and Essendon players lining up before the clash we are led to see them in unity, as different factions of one overarching national brotherhood. We are encouraged to believe in a myth.
A mature and sophisticated Anzac Day footy narrative would see the teams as representing divergent positions across the Catholic/Protestant, republican/imperial divides. It would tell stories of both protest and loyalty. We would be asked as viewers/spectators to reflect on how diverse and antagonistic communities came to see themselves as united (or not) through the sacrifices made in war. It might even encourage the radical idea that our presently diverse and divided communities are similarly capable of establishing symbols of unity.
Nowhere does the myth as it stands acknowledge that at the time of the Gallipoli landing many Collingwood supporters (and supporters from many of the Catholic inner-city football clubs in Melbourne and Sydney) would have been very strongly against what they saw as the British imperialist war. Nor does the myth reveal the fact that the Australian Imperial Force was largely made up of Protestant soldiers. The embarkation lists in 1914-15 indicate that a small percentage were Catholic. In the three nominal rolls I looked at, about 12 per cent of the initial enlistments were Catholics. Maybe I got a bad sample. But I don't think so.
Another point lost in the telling of Anzac is that between 20 and 25 per cent of troops in the very first Australian troop ships were British born, many of them recently arrived migrants. (Now revisit a crucial vehicle in the rebuilding of the legend, Peter Weir's Gallipoli and see if the soldiers' accents reflect that statistic.) The first to fall at Gallipoli (from the 11th Battalion) were in about equal measure Australian and non-Australian born.
If it is important to commemorate Anzac Day, then it is important that we remember it well and not just via slick commercialised performances. We should remember it in as much detail as we are able. We need to remember who was there, who wasn't, why they were there and why many refused. Until the commemorations do this they will remain evasive moments of myth-making. We need to remember all, or nothing.
*Ian Syson teaches literary studies and professional writing at Victoria University. He is researching the history of the football codes in Australia.
Preview Round 4: Collingwood v Essendon
AFL
SUMMARY
The traditional rivals take centre stage in a jam-packed Anzac Day, and both will enter the game with some confidence. Collingwood overcame a sluggish start last week to thrash St Kilda, but will face a sterner test against Essendon, which has enjoyed a strong start to the season. Despite an unprecedented preparation for the year as they waited for a verdict from the AFL's Anti-Doping Tribunal, the Bombers are 2-1 and playing strong, fast and attacking football. The Magpies have been swiftly written off in terms of top-eight contenders by some, but have two solid wins on the board already. If they can claim the scalp of the Bombers, they will have enjoyed an excellent start to their 2015 campaign.
LAST FIVE TIMES
Travis Cloke. The Collingwood goalkicker made his debut on Anzac Day, 2005, and has played more games and kicked more goals against Essendon than any other team in the competition. He kicked 5.4 last week and if he can do that again on Saturday the Pies will be on their way.
PREDICTION: Essendon by 20 points
SUMMARY
Collingwood v Essendon
MCG 7mate / Fox Footy 2.30pm Weather: Min 7 Max 14 Chance of rain 80%: 5-10mm Wind: NNE 28kph Betting: Collingwood $2.85 Essendon $1.42 |
LAST FIVE TIMES
- R17, 2014, Essendon 16.7 (103) d Collingwood 5.9 (39), MCG
- R6, 2014, Collingwood 12.11 (83) d Essendon 8.12 (60), MCG
- R19, 2013, Collingwood 20.13 (133) d Essendon 7.12 (54), MCG
- R5, 2013, Essendon 18.13 (121) d Collingwood 10.15 (75), MCG
- R23, 2012, Collingwood 14.20 (104) d Essendon 10.12 (72), MCG
- Collingwood has taken the ball inside-50 more than any other side so far in 2015, averaging 61 entries a game. Essendon is middle of the road, averaging 51 a game.
- No player has played in more Anzac Day clashes than Essendon veteran Dustin Fletcher. The defender has featured in 17 of the Anzac Day games against Collingwood, including the first in 1995.
- The clubs have tended to share the honours on Anzac Day, but Collingwood has the edge overall. There have been 20 contests, with Collingwood winning 11 games to eight with one draw.
- The Magpies have won more contested possessions than any team so far in 2015, averaging 164.7 a game. Essendon is back in the pack, averaging 134.7 (ranked 13th).
- The Bombers' lack of energy towards the end of games must be a concern for coach James Hird. In final quarters so far this year, the Bombers have kicked five goals combined against 11 from opponents.
- Collingwood star Dane Swan was the best player of round three, according to the Official AFL Player Ratings, brought to you by Gatorade. Swan's 39-disposal effort earned him 32 ratings points.
Travis Cloke. The Collingwood goalkicker made his debut on Anzac Day, 2005, and has played more games and kicked more goals against Essendon than any other team in the competition. He kicked 5.4 last week and if he can do that again on Saturday the Pies will be on their way.
PREDICTION: Essendon by 20 points
Sunday, April 19, 2015
2015 LADDER: ROUND 3
 |
| 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 |
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