 |
Pos Position C Change from last round P Played W Won L Lost D Drawn F Points for
A Points against % Percentage Form Past five results Next Next opponent Pts Points
Note: Collingwood, Adelaide, Carlton, St Kilda, Richmond, and Gold Coast had byes |
Monday, June 20, 2016
2016: LADDER ROUND 13
Saturday, June 18, 2016
Mid-Season Report Card
Roar - Finn Devlin
Great things were expected of Collingwood this year. Bringing in Adam Treloar, who rated their side as better than Richmond’s – who finished fifth – and with a list beginning to enter into its prime years, there were those who predicted the Magpies would run deep into September.
Fast forward to Round 13. Collingwood sits 4-8 heading into the bye, with wins over lowly Richmond, Essendon and Brisbane complimented by a surprise win over Geelong.
Their season has been fraught with inconsistency. Awful losses to Carlton have been followed by comprehensive wins over Brisbane and Geelong, while a last-gasp victory over the Tigers became a damaging defeat to St Kilda in just eight days.
Opinion, however, is split over who is to blame for the losses. Some are blame coach Nathan Buckley, calling for his head over the manner of the defeats, while others are placing the spotlight firmly on the players, too often found wanting at critical moments.
The reality is that it is probably a bit of both.
There is no doubt the Magpies have declined under Buckley. Since the ex-Collingwood captain and club hero took over the reins from Premiership coach Mick Malthouse in 2012, Collingwood has fallen down the ladder every single year.
A preliminary final in 2012 was followed by an elimination-final defeat in 2013, before sliding to 11th in 2014 and 12th last season, having been in the finals mix at the bye in both seasons. This season they sit 14th.
With a high list turnover, Buckley can be somewhat forgiven for trying to rebuild. But considering he inherited such a young side, on the back of two grand finals and set for a prolonged era of success, surely questions must be asked of the senior coach.
List management, and Buckley’s involvement in the decision to regenerate after a home final defeat to Port Adelaide in 2013, are particular talking points, but the real worry has too often come on game day.
Collingwood don’t try to play any particular brand of football. Hawthorn are known for their precision kicking, the Dogs for their contested ball prowess and high disposal game, Fremantle for their defensive zone and boundary line play, and Sydney for their ‘bash and crash’ style, complimented by a classy forward line.
Collingwood does not appear to stand for any football philosophy. It does not excel at any key statistic. It is neither an attacking, nor defensive side.
Even the cellar dwellars of the AFL – John Worsfold at Essendon and Justin Leppistich at Brisbane – have clearly defined game plans. They are not always executed with precision (Brisbane are particularly deficient at this), but at the very least, players are given an end goal to build towards. At the Holden Centre, their does not appear to as yet be an end goal, a utopian style.
Of course, the other side of this conundrum is that Collingwood lack the players to play any style of football. This suggestion has merit when you analyse their list.
Of course, injuries hurt any side, but even a fully fit Collingwood may have been over-estimated to a great extent.
Their back six is lightweight, and collapses when put under pressure. Nathan Brown is out of form and confidence, and Ben Reid has not returned, as yet, to his pre-injury(ies) days, although in his defence he has been solid since stringing more than three or four games together.
What the lack most, however, is a reliable kick coming out of defence. Too often we see their half-backs – currently the most important attacking position in AFL in this article’s opinion – butchering the ball, gifting central, front-half turnovers for their opposition to feast on.
At best, that backline is second rate. At worst, it is dead wood.
The Magpies midfield is their strong point, but has deficiencies. Pendlebury is the only properly elite A-grade midfielder. Steele Sidebottom and star recruit Adam Treloar can press their cases, while Dane Swan will probably retire at seasons end. If not, he will spend his final season forward.
But who else is there? Jack Crisp and Levi Greenwood are good, but not great, while Taylor Adams is a ball-winner with a poor disposal. He costs goals. The game has passed Macaffer, while it hasn’t reached Josh Smith or Tom Phillips yet, though both look like they could be something. And finally, James Aish is statistically the worst midfielder in the game right now.
While there’s talent in that midfield, it’s lightweight compared to the best midfields in the AFL: The Bulldogs, Cats and Swans. Their ruck stocks lack a true elite player in the form of a Max Gawn or Todd Goldstein, too. It hurts the Pies.
The forward line is missing stars in Swan and Elliot. That hurts. It’s missing a key forward too. Moore looks like a real talent, but needs time, while Cox is still very raw. Other than that, it doesn’t look great up front for the Magpies. No one else has claims to being anything more than second or even third-rate.
While Collingwood has a list with some promise on it, a combination of poor coaching, poor list management and a lack of elite level players has led to a slide down the ladder. Perhaps they were overhyped at the start of the season, but for the current side, finals are out of the question.
It does, however, remain to be seen how the biggest club in the AFL arrests its decline in the current decade. If Collingwood are to break their cycle of being perennial also-rans, significant change is needed, for both the playing list and coaching staff.
Great things were expected of Collingwood this year. Bringing in Adam Treloar, who rated their side as better than Richmond’s – who finished fifth – and with a list beginning to enter into its prime years, there were those who predicted the Magpies would run deep into September.
Fast forward to Round 13. Collingwood sits 4-8 heading into the bye, with wins over lowly Richmond, Essendon and Brisbane complimented by a surprise win over Geelong.
Their season has been fraught with inconsistency. Awful losses to Carlton have been followed by comprehensive wins over Brisbane and Geelong, while a last-gasp victory over the Tigers became a damaging defeat to St Kilda in just eight days.
Opinion, however, is split over who is to blame for the losses. Some are blame coach Nathan Buckley, calling for his head over the manner of the defeats, while others are placing the spotlight firmly on the players, too often found wanting at critical moments.
The reality is that it is probably a bit of both.
There is no doubt the Magpies have declined under Buckley. Since the ex-Collingwood captain and club hero took over the reins from Premiership coach Mick Malthouse in 2012, Collingwood has fallen down the ladder every single year.
A preliminary final in 2012 was followed by an elimination-final defeat in 2013, before sliding to 11th in 2014 and 12th last season, having been in the finals mix at the bye in both seasons. This season they sit 14th.
With a high list turnover, Buckley can be somewhat forgiven for trying to rebuild. But considering he inherited such a young side, on the back of two grand finals and set for a prolonged era of success, surely questions must be asked of the senior coach.
List management, and Buckley’s involvement in the decision to regenerate after a home final defeat to Port Adelaide in 2013, are particular talking points, but the real worry has too often come on game day.
Collingwood don’t try to play any particular brand of football. Hawthorn are known for their precision kicking, the Dogs for their contested ball prowess and high disposal game, Fremantle for their defensive zone and boundary line play, and Sydney for their ‘bash and crash’ style, complimented by a classy forward line.
Collingwood does not appear to stand for any football philosophy. It does not excel at any key statistic. It is neither an attacking, nor defensive side.
Even the cellar dwellars of the AFL – John Worsfold at Essendon and Justin Leppistich at Brisbane – have clearly defined game plans. They are not always executed with precision (Brisbane are particularly deficient at this), but at the very least, players are given an end goal to build towards. At the Holden Centre, their does not appear to as yet be an end goal, a utopian style.
Of course, the other side of this conundrum is that Collingwood lack the players to play any style of football. This suggestion has merit when you analyse their list.
Of course, injuries hurt any side, but even a fully fit Collingwood may have been over-estimated to a great extent.
Their back six is lightweight, and collapses when put under pressure. Nathan Brown is out of form and confidence, and Ben Reid has not returned, as yet, to his pre-injury(ies) days, although in his defence he has been solid since stringing more than three or four games together.
What the lack most, however, is a reliable kick coming out of defence. Too often we see their half-backs – currently the most important attacking position in AFL in this article’s opinion – butchering the ball, gifting central, front-half turnovers for their opposition to feast on.
At best, that backline is second rate. At worst, it is dead wood.
The Magpies midfield is their strong point, but has deficiencies. Pendlebury is the only properly elite A-grade midfielder. Steele Sidebottom and star recruit Adam Treloar can press their cases, while Dane Swan will probably retire at seasons end. If not, he will spend his final season forward.
But who else is there? Jack Crisp and Levi Greenwood are good, but not great, while Taylor Adams is a ball-winner with a poor disposal. He costs goals. The game has passed Macaffer, while it hasn’t reached Josh Smith or Tom Phillips yet, though both look like they could be something. And finally, James Aish is statistically the worst midfielder in the game right now.
While there’s talent in that midfield, it’s lightweight compared to the best midfields in the AFL: The Bulldogs, Cats and Swans. Their ruck stocks lack a true elite player in the form of a Max Gawn or Todd Goldstein, too. It hurts the Pies.
The forward line is missing stars in Swan and Elliot. That hurts. It’s missing a key forward too. Moore looks like a real talent, but needs time, while Cox is still very raw. Other than that, it doesn’t look great up front for the Magpies. No one else has claims to being anything more than second or even third-rate.
While Collingwood has a list with some promise on it, a combination of poor coaching, poor list management and a lack of elite level players has led to a slide down the ladder. Perhaps they were overhyped at the start of the season, but for the current side, finals are out of the question.
It does, however, remain to be seen how the biggest club in the AFL arrests its decline in the current decade. If Collingwood are to break their cycle of being perennial also-rans, significant change is needed, for both the playing list and coaching staff.
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Mid-Season Report Card
Herald Sun - Jon Anderson
IT was to be a dynasty to match the Hawks and the Lions, the Collingwood class of 2010 that had both youth and skill on its side.
So what went wrong with a group that won a premiership in 2010 when their average age was 24.17 (the youngest since 1978), made a Grand Final the year after and have been on a slippery slide since?
One that looked set to enjoy an era of sustained finals action at the very least rather than struggling to keep in touch with the eight while watching rivals go past them.
And right now that is the most galling aspect of Collingwood's demise, that their position of perceived strength has been eroded to the point where the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne have gone past them, and St Kilda may be pointed towards more immediate happiness.
Even
their long-term hated rivals Carlton sit above them on the ladder, a
Blues side that has achieved very little of note in the past 15 years.
But who would you rather barrack for right now, Carlton or Collingwood?
That it's even a matter for debate is surprising given where the respective clubs were expected to be in 2016. Yes, the Pies have been badly hurt by injury to irreplaceable players in Jamie Elliott and Dane Swan, and a variety of others causing them to use 38 players this season.
But that's now. What about the group that was going to springboard their era? Aren't Nathan Brown, the 2010 kid who did such a fine job on Nick Riewoldt, their go-to man up forward Travis Cloke, running defender Alan Toovey, promising forward/on baller Brent Macaffer and swingman Tyson Goldsack all still at the club?
Correct, the problem being they are shadows of the 2010 versions and spent last weekend in the VFL. It's unprecedented that five players of that ilk should lose form to the degree of this quintet.
Then there are the players they traded out, or in the case of Jonathon Ceglar, delisted. Would Ceglar have played against Melbourne on Monday? In a heartbeat, as would Dayne Beams, Heath Shaw and Sharrod Welllingham. You could also make a case for Chris Dawes, Heritier Lumumba, Paul Seedsman and Dale Thomas, all of whom were traded for differing reasons.
That is the case with every AFL club, although when you trade champions such as Shaw, you put your "judgment hat" right on the chopping block.
Shaw was a popular and influential member of the 2010 team, just as he is now with GWS.
And the value he is providing to Zac Williams, Nathan Wilson, Nick Haynes and Matt Buntine up back is invaluable, just as it would be if providing the same to Marley Williams, Tim Broomhead, Adam Oxley, Matthew Scharenberg and Tom Langdon.
WHAT HAPPENED?
The Pies won the flag in 2010, but the list they began the 2011 season with, poised for a "mini dynasty" according to some, has been turned on it's head.
TRADED
Dayne Beams (Brisbane), Jonathon Ceglar (Hawthorn)*, Chris Dawes (Melbourne), John McCarthy (Port Adelaide), Heritier Lumumba (Melbourne), Paul Seedsman (Adelaide), Heath Shaw (GWS), Dale Thomas (Carlton), Sharrod Wellingham (West Coast), Cameron Wood (Carlton) *Delisted
SUSPENDED
Lachlan Keeffe, Josh Thomas
DELISTED
Daniel Farmer, Luke Rounds, Trent Stubbs, Kirk Ugle, Tom Young
RETIRED
Luke Ball, Leigh Brown, Simon Buckley, Leon Davis, Brad Dick, Alan Didak, Ben Johnson, Andrew Krakouer, Nick Maxwell, Chris Tarrant, Darren Jolly.
STILL THERE BUT PLAYING VFL
Nathan Brown, Travis Cloke, Tyson Goldsack, Brent Macaffer, Alan Toovey.
PLAYED IN LOSS TO MELBOURNE
Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom, Ben Reid, Jarryd Blair, Ben Sinclair.
INJURED
Alex Fasolo, Dane Swan.
IT was to be a dynasty to match the Hawks and the Lions, the Collingwood class of 2010 that had both youth and skill on its side.
So what went wrong with a group that won a premiership in 2010 when their average age was 24.17 (the youngest since 1978), made a Grand Final the year after and have been on a slippery slide since?
One that looked set to enjoy an era of sustained finals action at the very least rather than struggling to keep in touch with the eight while watching rivals go past them.
And right now that is the most galling aspect of Collingwood's demise, that their position of perceived strength has been eroded to the point where the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne have gone past them, and St Kilda may be pointed towards more immediate happiness.
 |
| Collingwood was on the verge of a "mini dynasty" according to some after winning the 2010 premiership. |
That it's even a matter for debate is surprising given where the respective clubs were expected to be in 2016. Yes, the Pies have been badly hurt by injury to irreplaceable players in Jamie Elliott and Dane Swan, and a variety of others causing them to use 38 players this season.
But that's now. What about the group that was going to springboard their era? Aren't Nathan Brown, the 2010 kid who did such a fine job on Nick Riewoldt, their go-to man up forward Travis Cloke, running defender Alan Toovey, promising forward/on baller Brent Macaffer and swingman Tyson Goldsack all still at the club?
Correct, the problem being they are shadows of the 2010 versions and spent last weekend in the VFL. It's unprecedented that five players of that ilk should lose form to the degree of this quintet.
Then there are the players they traded out, or in the case of Jonathon Ceglar, delisted. Would Ceglar have played against Melbourne on Monday? In a heartbeat, as would Dayne Beams, Heath Shaw and Sharrod Welllingham. You could also make a case for Chris Dawes, Heritier Lumumba, Paul Seedsman and Dale Thomas, all of whom were traded for differing reasons.
That is the case with every AFL club, although when you trade champions such as Shaw, you put your "judgment hat" right on the chopping block.
Shaw was a popular and influential member of the 2010 team, just as he is now with GWS.
And the value he is providing to Zac Williams, Nathan Wilson, Nick Haynes and Matt Buntine up back is invaluable, just as it would be if providing the same to Marley Williams, Tim Broomhead, Adam Oxley, Matthew Scharenberg and Tom Langdon.
 |
| Nathan Brown was dropped, and then suffered an injury, after a poor performance against West Coast. Picture: Daniel Wilkins |
WHAT HAPPENED?
The Pies won the flag in 2010, but the list they began the 2011 season with, poised for a "mini dynasty" according to some, has been turned on it's head.
TRADED
Dayne Beams (Brisbane), Jonathon Ceglar (Hawthorn)*, Chris Dawes (Melbourne), John McCarthy (Port Adelaide), Heritier Lumumba (Melbourne), Paul Seedsman (Adelaide), Heath Shaw (GWS), Dale Thomas (Carlton), Sharrod Wellingham (West Coast), Cameron Wood (Carlton) *Delisted
 |
| Travis Cloke is struggling for form and playing in the VFL. Picture: Mark Dadswell |
SUSPENDED
Lachlan Keeffe, Josh Thomas
DELISTED
Daniel Farmer, Luke Rounds, Trent Stubbs, Kirk Ugle, Tom Young
RETIRED
Luke Ball, Leigh Brown, Simon Buckley, Leon Davis, Brad Dick, Alan Didak, Ben Johnson, Andrew Krakouer, Nick Maxwell, Chris Tarrant, Darren Jolly.
STILL THERE BUT PLAYING VFL
Nathan Brown, Travis Cloke, Tyson Goldsack, Brent Macaffer, Alan Toovey.
PLAYED IN LOSS TO MELBOURNE
Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom, Ben Reid, Jarryd Blair, Ben Sinclair.
INJURED
Alex Fasolo, Dane Swan.
Collingwood Women's Team
Collingwood News
Collingwood Football Club will mark it's 125th year with the introduction of a women's AFL team in the inaugural national women's league.
The club was one of eight to be granted a team in the new league kicking off in 2017.
President Eddie McGuire described the announcement as a landmark moment for the club and the wider AFL community.
"In our 125th year we'll have a men's team and a women's team playing our indigenous game," McGuire told Collingwood Media from the MCG.
"This is a great day for our football club. It's everything that we want. We want young boys and young girls to dream of wearing the black and white stripes on the MCG, and from this day on, they can."
The Collingwood women's team will utilise the club's $25 million state-of-the art facilities at The Glasshouse as well as Olympic Park Oval, all in the heart of Melbourne's sporting precinct.
CEO Gary Pert said the club's vision of providing men and women with the same opportunities at the elite level has now been realised.
"Collingwood members will look back on this historic day as the day Collingwood evolved into a modern sporting club that is diverse and inclusive for the entire community."
"We have already had strong interest from our existing corporate partners who are proud to be aligned with a more diverse sporting club."
In a league-first, the club appointed highly respected female footballer Meg Hutchins to the full-time role of Women's Football Operations Manager to oversee the growth of women's football at both Collingwood and the grassroots level. Hutchins said today's announcement will forever change the way young women view the game.
"It's such an exciting time for women's football and all the little girls running around. They're dreams are alive now and they can pursue something that they love," she said.
"We'll go through the AFL's briefing with a fine-tooth comb and prioritise what we need to do from here. It'll be about securing the best coaches, players, support staff – getting all of that in place to make sure when the first day of pre-season comes, we can hit the ground running."
Collingwood will now work with the AFL in planning for the new women's league.
Links
 |
| Collingwood have been granted a licence to compete in the national women's league in 2017. |
Collingwood Football Club will mark it's 125th year with the introduction of a women's AFL team in the inaugural national women's league.
The club was one of eight to be granted a team in the new league kicking off in 2017.
President Eddie McGuire described the announcement as a landmark moment for the club and the wider AFL community.
"In our 125th year we'll have a men's team and a women's team playing our indigenous game," McGuire told Collingwood Media from the MCG.
"This is a great day for our football club. It's everything that we want. We want young boys and young girls to dream of wearing the black and white stripes on the MCG, and from this day on, they can."
The Collingwood women's team will utilise the club's $25 million state-of-the art facilities at The Glasshouse as well as Olympic Park Oval, all in the heart of Melbourne's sporting precinct.
CEO Gary Pert said the club's vision of providing men and women with the same opportunities at the elite level has now been realised.
"Collingwood members will look back on this historic day as the day Collingwood evolved into a modern sporting club that is diverse and inclusive for the entire community."
"We have already had strong interest from our existing corporate partners who are proud to be aligned with a more diverse sporting club."
 |
| The team behind the 2017 Collingwood national women's league team. |
In a league-first, the club appointed highly respected female footballer Meg Hutchins to the full-time role of Women's Football Operations Manager to oversee the growth of women's football at both Collingwood and the grassroots level. Hutchins said today's announcement will forever change the way young women view the game.
"It's such an exciting time for women's football and all the little girls running around. They're dreams are alive now and they can pursue something that they love," she said.
"We'll go through the AFL's briefing with a fine-tooth comb and prioritise what we need to do from here. It'll be about securing the best coaches, players, support staff – getting all of that in place to make sure when the first day of pre-season comes, we can hit the ground running."
Collingwood will now work with the AFL in planning for the new women's league.
Links
Mid-Season Report Card
REAL FOOTY - Jon Pierik
Pre-season expectations: By their own admission, the Pies were expected to contend for the finals. Taylor Adams said the season would be a "100 per cent fail" if they don't feature in September.
Record: 14th (4-8)
What's gone right
Little. They were expected
to seriously challenge for the top eight, and some commentators thought
they were good enough to even finish top four. Darcy Moore, until he
fractured his collarbone against the Western Bulldogs, had shown
glimpses of the player he will become, booting 14 goals. Ben Reid is
finally enjoying a sustained run after terrible soft-tissue injuries,
while former American basketballer Mason Cox has been a revelation as a
marking forward since making his debut on Anzac Day. So good has Cox
been that he took Travis Cloke's spot in the side. Jeremy Howe, after a
frisbee incident over summer, has emerged as a solid defender. Alex
Fasolo, the Pies' leading goalkicker (22), started the season strongly
but is now sidelined with a fractured scapula.
What's gone wrong
Plenty. Finals now appear over. From the opening minutes of the season when Dane Swan's leg and foot crumbled against the Swans, the Pies have been under siege. They have missed his on-field presence and bullocking play. Travis Cloke has endured the toughest year of his career, and it increasingly appears he will be traded at season's end. He has been dropped twice but continues to fight hard in the VFL. The heavy loss to Carlton in round seven even prompted president Eddie McGuire to question his position. He was persuaded to stay by his two boys, who urged him to fight on. Nathan Buckley's pre-season contract extension until the end of 2017 has also been regularly questioned publicly – but Buckley has remained process-driven and of the belief his methods will work. Such was the heat on the Pies after the defeat to the Blues that McGuire said he wouldn't hesitate to sack Buckley if that was the right thing to do for the club. Injuries and the poor form of the team's leaders, including Nathan Brown, Taylor Adams (hamstring) and Brent Macaffer, have also been an issue, and have been highlighted by using 37 players. The Pies have barely had their best six defenders on the field together, and their set-up behind the ball has suffered as a result. Tactically, they have often been opened up when opponents have switched play, exposing their lack of pace and defensive positioning. The plan to counter Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn on Monday with three talls also failed. The Pies have won fewer games each season under Buckley – 17 to 14 to 11. Anything less this year and ... we hold grave fears for anyone associated with the Holden Centre.
Stand-out star
Hard to split Adam Treloar, Steele Sidebottom and Scott Pendlebury. The captain had a tough start to the year when he was forced to play more of a sweeping role across half-back because of a rib injury, but he has been in strong form in the past month, averaging about 30 disposals for the season. However, he has been criticised by former Magpie Mick McGuane for chasing "easy ball". Treloar, the high-priced recruit from Greater Western Sydney, has added much drive through the middle, and also averages 30 touches. Sidebottom is one of the league's best, averaging about 28 disposals, but was beaten by Demons' tagger Tomas Bugg on Monday.
Who is under the pump
Nathan Brown, 27, Alan Toovey, 29, Tyson Goldsack, 29, Brent Macaffer, 28, Cloke, 29, and Jesse White, 28, all face uncertain futures. White has enjoyed a rebirth of sorts as a forward and defender since being recalled for the second time this season. James Aish, the former Lion, will be with the Pies next year but more had been expected of him.
The run home
The Pies will need to win at least eight but, more likely, nine of their last 11 matches to be alive come September. That seems unlikely. They will resume against Fremantle at the MCG, and must win this. Then comes a rematch against the Blues, and even more imposing clashes against Greater Western Sydney (Spotless Stadium), the Crows (Adelaide Oval) and North Melbourne (Etihad Stadium). That's a potentially harrowing run. The Pies have capitulated after the bye in recent seasons, including winning only two matches from round 13 last year. Should that happen again, expect the pressure gauge on Buckley to hit code red.
What coach Nathan Buckley says: "We have got a vision of where we want to go and we have to embody that more often. You're either learners or losers and in many ways we're in that position."
Grading: D
Pre-season expectations: By their own admission, the Pies were expected to contend for the finals. Taylor Adams said the season would be a "100 per cent fail" if they don't feature in September.
 |
| Very little has gone right for Collingwood this season. |
What's gone right
 |
Bad start: Dane Swan went down in round one. Photo: Getty Images
|
What's gone wrong
Plenty. Finals now appear over. From the opening minutes of the season when Dane Swan's leg and foot crumbled against the Swans, the Pies have been under siege. They have missed his on-field presence and bullocking play. Travis Cloke has endured the toughest year of his career, and it increasingly appears he will be traded at season's end. He has been dropped twice but continues to fight hard in the VFL. The heavy loss to Carlton in round seven even prompted president Eddie McGuire to question his position. He was persuaded to stay by his two boys, who urged him to fight on. Nathan Buckley's pre-season contract extension until the end of 2017 has also been regularly questioned publicly – but Buckley has remained process-driven and of the belief his methods will work. Such was the heat on the Pies after the defeat to the Blues that McGuire said he wouldn't hesitate to sack Buckley if that was the right thing to do for the club. Injuries and the poor form of the team's leaders, including Nathan Brown, Taylor Adams (hamstring) and Brent Macaffer, have also been an issue, and have been highlighted by using 37 players. The Pies have barely had their best six defenders on the field together, and their set-up behind the ball has suffered as a result. Tactically, they have often been opened up when opponents have switched play, exposing their lack of pace and defensive positioning. The plan to counter Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn on Monday with three talls also failed. The Pies have won fewer games each season under Buckley – 17 to 14 to 11. Anything less this year and ... we hold grave fears for anyone associated with the Holden Centre.
Stand-out star
Hard to split Adam Treloar, Steele Sidebottom and Scott Pendlebury. The captain had a tough start to the year when he was forced to play more of a sweeping role across half-back because of a rib injury, but he has been in strong form in the past month, averaging about 30 disposals for the season. However, he has been criticised by former Magpie Mick McGuane for chasing "easy ball". Treloar, the high-priced recruit from Greater Western Sydney, has added much drive through the middle, and also averages 30 touches. Sidebottom is one of the league's best, averaging about 28 disposals, but was beaten by Demons' tagger Tomas Bugg on Monday.
Who is under the pump
Nathan Brown, 27, Alan Toovey, 29, Tyson Goldsack, 29, Brent Macaffer, 28, Cloke, 29, and Jesse White, 28, all face uncertain futures. White has enjoyed a rebirth of sorts as a forward and defender since being recalled for the second time this season. James Aish, the former Lion, will be with the Pies next year but more had been expected of him.
The run home
The Pies will need to win at least eight but, more likely, nine of their last 11 matches to be alive come September. That seems unlikely. They will resume against Fremantle at the MCG, and must win this. Then comes a rematch against the Blues, and even more imposing clashes against Greater Western Sydney (Spotless Stadium), the Crows (Adelaide Oval) and North Melbourne (Etihad Stadium). That's a potentially harrowing run. The Pies have capitulated after the bye in recent seasons, including winning only two matches from round 13 last year. Should that happen again, expect the pressure gauge on Buckley to hit code red.
What coach Nathan Buckley says: "We have got a vision of where we want to go and we have to embody that more often. You're either learners or losers and in many ways we're in that position."
Grading: D
Mid-Season Report Card
Fox Sports - Ben Waterworth
THIS season was never supposed to be the one where Collingwood pushed for a premiership. With the 12th-youngest list in the competition but a solid group of senior players, the Pies were expected to push for the top eight, maybe even cement a finals berth.
Twelve rounds into the 2016 season, however, and the Magpies' chances of featuring in September are as likely as a white Christmas in Cairns.
Injuries have decimated them, but the Pies, on paper, are better than a 4-8 side.
Ahead of their Round 13 bye, we reflect on Collingwood's 2016 campaign to date in our mid-season report card.
Pre-season expectations
After two consecutive near finals misses and such busy exchange periods over the past two off-seasons, Collingwood was expected to push for finals, if not sneak into the top eight, this year. In fact, midfield young gun Taylor Adams declared to the Herald Sun that it would be a "100 per cent failure" if the Pies didn't feature in the finals in 2016.
Have they been met? (4-8, 14th)
Certainly not. Halfway through the season — and coming off a humiliating defeat courtesy of the Demons on Queen's Birthday — the Pies sit 14th on the ladder with a 4-8 record. It's a far cry from where the Pies sat at this stage last year (fourth with an 8-3 record) before tumbling out of the top eight.
Best win so far
Collingwood couldn't have been more impressive in its gutsy, morale-boosting win over Geelong at the MCG in Round 9. The Pies gave their fans hope that a top-eight spot was a genuine possibility as they blitzed the Cats in the first term, booting 7.5 to 0.3. They also won the disposals (124-99), inside 50s (20-12), (tackles 24-13) and centre clearances (5-0) in the first quarter. Perhaps the most impressive aspect about their win was how they held their ground when the Cats challenged in the final term, kicking five of the last seven goals of the match to walk away 24-point winners.
Worst loss so far
A few to choose from, but the Pies' 67-point loss to Port Adelaide two rounds ago was as humiliating as it gets. The Pies gave Port countless end-to-end goals as their defensive system and mechanisms were exposed by Ken Hinkley's men on the MCG. Of Port's 19 goals, 12 came directly in front from within 40m, with seven majors kicked from the goalsquare. The Power kicked 4.0 (24) from kick-ins, while they outscored the Pies by 25 points in scores from turnover differential. What made it so disappointing was that Nathan Buckley's men had just put up three brilliant performances, including wins over Brisbane and Geelong and a gallant loss to the Western Bulldogs the week before.
Greatest asset
We haven't seen it enough this season, but Collingwood's defensive pressure on the ball carrier is second to none when the playing group is fully switched on. The Pies are ranked fourth in the competition for tackle differential, proving how damaging they can be without the footy. The midfield group is still full of class, led so wonderfully by Scott Pendlebury, Adam Treloar, Taylor Adams and Steele Sidebottom. And the Pies have found a great little one-two defensive combination in Ben Reid and Jeremy Howe, who have been excellent at intercepting the ball this season.
Greatest weakness
The boys on Fox Footy's On The Couch this year have been all over the Magpies' defensive setup and zone — or lack thereof. The modern game is all about locking the ball in your forward half, intercepting the ball and scoring from there. And the Pies aren't doing that well in 2016, with Buckley's brigade -35 on their opposition for total forward half intercepts — ranked 13th in the competition. Only Fremantle, Brisbane, Richmond, Gold Coast and Essendon are ranked lower than the Pies in this stat. Also, they have a bloke called Travis Cloke — a much-maligned player on a hefty pay packet — unable to get into the senior side at the moment. It's too much cash sitting on the sidelines.
All-Australian chances
Not too many this season. Again the club's ultra-consistent skipper Scott Pendlebury will be in the discussion at the halfway mark, averaging 29 disposals (ranked ninth in the competition), 120 Champion Data ranking points (second) and eight score involvements so far. Former Giant Adam Treloar, who has fitted in at the Pies with aplomb, is the other Pie who should also be in calculations, averaging a career-high 31 disposals, 19 uncontested possessions and six tackles.
How draftees/recruits have fared
If it wasn't for Patrick Dangerfield at Geelong, Treloar would probably be the recruit of the year to date. Despite his new team's poor start, Treloar couldn't have done much more to date, racking up 30 or more touches in eight of his 12 games to date. Jeremy Howe arrived at Collingwood with a preference of playing in the forward line. Injuries have forced the former Dee to defence from Round 7 onwards — and he's thrived, averaging 22 disposals, nine marks, nine intercepts and 108 ranking points from his past six games. Elsewhere, James Aish (five games) has been an early-season flop, while Ben Crocker (six) and Tom Phillips are the only draftees to be blooded to date.
Medical Room
Which Collingwood official keeps walking under a ladder? The medical room is where the Pies have been crucified this season and has undoubtedly played a part in their inconsistent performances. They've been forced to use 38 players to date — the most in the competition — due to the array of injuries they've suffered, particularly to key players. Dane Swan (leg), Jamie Elliott (back), Jackson Ramsay (knee) and Matt Scharenberg (knee) are all out for the rest of the season, while Travis Varcoe (hamstring), Marley Williams (foot), Taylor Adams (hamstring/knee), Tim Broomhead (ankle), Darcy Moore (collarbone) and Tom Langdon (ankle) have all missed stints across the opening half of the season.
Coach pressure gauge
From an external perspective, Buckley is situated towards the high-pressure end of the scale. Since taking them to a preliminary final in 2012, the Pies have slid down the ladder year by year — and are currently heading for another decrease in 2016. Yes the Pies have barely had any continuity about their 22-man line-up throughout the season. But footy is a win-loss industry — and a 4-8 record isn't pretty viewing. After the loss to Melbourne, Steele Sidebottom said he felt "sorry" for Buckley, claiming it was "unfair" Buckley had to bear the brunt of criticism. But if the win-loss ledge doesn't even up, the pressure might start to come for Buckley internally.
Back-half expectations
With a tough draw ahead — they play six top-eight teams in their remaining 10 matches — and finals now close to an impossibility, Collingwood fans must adjust their focus. Most importantly, the Pies must try and accumulate some continuity among their personnel. But if there are players who aren't 100 per cent, it's not worth risking them. Hopefully the likes of Phillips and Crocker continue to get games, while Brayden Sier and Rupert Wills also receive senior opportunities — only if they have earnt them, though.
THIS season was never supposed to be the one where Collingwood pushed for a premiership. With the 12th-youngest list in the competition but a solid group of senior players, the Pies were expected to push for the top eight, maybe even cement a finals berth.
Twelve rounds into the 2016 season, however, and the Magpies' chances of featuring in September are as likely as a white Christmas in Cairns.
Injuries have decimated them, but the Pies, on paper, are better than a 4-8 side.
Ahead of their Round 13 bye, we reflect on Collingwood's 2016 campaign to date in our mid-season report card.
Pre-season expectations
After two consecutive near finals misses and such busy exchange periods over the past two off-seasons, Collingwood was expected to push for finals, if not sneak into the top eight, this year. In fact, midfield young gun Taylor Adams declared to the Herald Sun that it would be a "100 per cent failure" if the Pies didn't feature in the finals in 2016.
Have they been met? (4-8, 14th)
Certainly not. Halfway through the season — and coming off a humiliating defeat courtesy of the Demons on Queen's Birthday — the Pies sit 14th on the ladder with a 4-8 record. It's a far cry from where the Pies sat at this stage last year (fourth with an 8-3 record) before tumbling out of the top eight.
Best win so far
Collingwood couldn't have been more impressive in its gutsy, morale-boosting win over Geelong at the MCG in Round 9. The Pies gave their fans hope that a top-eight spot was a genuine possibility as they blitzed the Cats in the first term, booting 7.5 to 0.3. They also won the disposals (124-99), inside 50s (20-12), (tackles 24-13) and centre clearances (5-0) in the first quarter. Perhaps the most impressive aspect about their win was how they held their ground when the Cats challenged in the final term, kicking five of the last seven goals of the match to walk away 24-point winners.
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| Mason Cox starred in Collingwood's win over Geelong. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia |
Worst loss so far
A few to choose from, but the Pies' 67-point loss to Port Adelaide two rounds ago was as humiliating as it gets. The Pies gave Port countless end-to-end goals as their defensive system and mechanisms were exposed by Ken Hinkley's men on the MCG. Of Port's 19 goals, 12 came directly in front from within 40m, with seven majors kicked from the goalsquare. The Power kicked 4.0 (24) from kick-ins, while they outscored the Pies by 25 points in scores from turnover differential. What made it so disappointing was that Nathan Buckley's men had just put up three brilliant performances, including wins over Brisbane and Geelong and a gallant loss to the Western Bulldogs the week before.
Greatest asset
We haven't seen it enough this season, but Collingwood's defensive pressure on the ball carrier is second to none when the playing group is fully switched on. The Pies are ranked fourth in the competition for tackle differential, proving how damaging they can be without the footy. The midfield group is still full of class, led so wonderfully by Scott Pendlebury, Adam Treloar, Taylor Adams and Steele Sidebottom. And the Pies have found a great little one-two defensive combination in Ben Reid and Jeremy Howe, who have been excellent at intercepting the ball this season.
Greatest weakness
The boys on Fox Footy's On The Couch this year have been all over the Magpies' defensive setup and zone — or lack thereof. The modern game is all about locking the ball in your forward half, intercepting the ball and scoring from there. And the Pies aren't doing that well in 2016, with Buckley's brigade -35 on their opposition for total forward half intercepts — ranked 13th in the competition. Only Fremantle, Brisbane, Richmond, Gold Coast and Essendon are ranked lower than the Pies in this stat. Also, they have a bloke called Travis Cloke — a much-maligned player on a hefty pay packet — unable to get into the senior side at the moment. It's too much cash sitting on the sidelines.
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| Scott Pendlebury is one of Collingwood's rare All-Australian contenders this season. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia |
All-Australian chances
Not too many this season. Again the club's ultra-consistent skipper Scott Pendlebury will be in the discussion at the halfway mark, averaging 29 disposals (ranked ninth in the competition), 120 Champion Data ranking points (second) and eight score involvements so far. Former Giant Adam Treloar, who has fitted in at the Pies with aplomb, is the other Pie who should also be in calculations, averaging a career-high 31 disposals, 19 uncontested possessions and six tackles.
How draftees/recruits have fared
If it wasn't for Patrick Dangerfield at Geelong, Treloar would probably be the recruit of the year to date. Despite his new team's poor start, Treloar couldn't have done much more to date, racking up 30 or more touches in eight of his 12 games to date. Jeremy Howe arrived at Collingwood with a preference of playing in the forward line. Injuries have forced the former Dee to defence from Round 7 onwards — and he's thrived, averaging 22 disposals, nine marks, nine intercepts and 108 ranking points from his past six games. Elsewhere, James Aish (five games) has been an early-season flop, while Ben Crocker (six) and Tom Phillips are the only draftees to be blooded to date.
Medical Room
Which Collingwood official keeps walking under a ladder? The medical room is where the Pies have been crucified this season and has undoubtedly played a part in their inconsistent performances. They've been forced to use 38 players to date — the most in the competition — due to the array of injuries they've suffered, particularly to key players. Dane Swan (leg), Jamie Elliott (back), Jackson Ramsay (knee) and Matt Scharenberg (knee) are all out for the rest of the season, while Travis Varcoe (hamstring), Marley Williams (foot), Taylor Adams (hamstring/knee), Tim Broomhead (ankle), Darcy Moore (collarbone) and Tom Langdon (ankle) have all missed stints across the opening half of the season.
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| Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley is facing the brunt of external criticism. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia |
From an external perspective, Buckley is situated towards the high-pressure end of the scale. Since taking them to a preliminary final in 2012, the Pies have slid down the ladder year by year — and are currently heading for another decrease in 2016. Yes the Pies have barely had any continuity about their 22-man line-up throughout the season. But footy is a win-loss industry — and a 4-8 record isn't pretty viewing. After the loss to Melbourne, Steele Sidebottom said he felt "sorry" for Buckley, claiming it was "unfair" Buckley had to bear the brunt of criticism. But if the win-loss ledge doesn't even up, the pressure might start to come for Buckley internally.
Back-half expectations
With a tough draw ahead — they play six top-eight teams in their remaining 10 matches — and finals now close to an impossibility, Collingwood fans must adjust their focus. Most importantly, the Pies must try and accumulate some continuity among their personnel. But if there are players who aren't 100 per cent, it's not worth risking them. Hopefully the likes of Phillips and Crocker continue to get games, while Brayden Sier and Rupert Wills also receive senior opportunities — only if they have earnt them, though.
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Injury List
| Injury Update Tuesday, June 14, 2016 | |||
| Player | Injury | Status | Round 13 B Y E |
| Taylor Adams | Hamstring | 3-4 weeks | |
| Tim Broomhead | Ankle | 1-2 weeks | |
| Jamie Elliott | Back | Season | |
| Alex Fasolo | Fractured scapula | 3-4 weeks | |
| Jack Frost | Shoulder | TBC | |
| Tom Langdon | Ankle | 1-2 weeks | |
| Darcy Moore | Fractured collarbone | 2-3 weeks | |
| Scott Pendlebury | Ankle | TBC | |
| Jackson Ramsay | Knee | Season | |
| Ben Reid | Knee | TBC | |
| Matt Scharenberg* | Knee | Season | |
| Dane Swan* | Broken leg/foot | Season | |
| * Placed on the club's long-term injury list | |||
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COLLINGWOOD coach Nathan Buckley was unable to shed any light on an ankle injury to captain Scott Pendlebury after the Magpies' loss to Melbourne on Queen's Birthday. Pendlebury spent time off the field in the second quarter after his ankle was stomped on and he had it heavily iced after the game. "There was a contest on half-forward. I'm not sure exactly what's come of it," Buckley said. The Pies limp in to next week's bye with a 4-8 record and several players sore, while Melbourne emerged from Monday's 46-point win with a clean bill of health. ON THE BLOCK: Does it even matter any more? Jack Frost (shoulder), Scott Pendlebury (ankle) and Ben Reid (knee) all copped knocks against Melbourne, but don't none look overly serious. Jarrod Witts was poor, Mason Cox did little and Ben Crocker was quiet. But it's a bit like the deck chairs on the Titanic isn't it? ON THE CUSP: Some good news in the rezzies. Travis Cloke was described as "outstanding" by the Collingwood website in the win over Casey Scorpions, while James Aish was prolific and hungry with 34 possessions. Adam Oxley responded to his omission by laying a team-high 12 tackles and being among his side's better players. SAM EDMUND'S FORECAST: Another game, another train wreck. What on earth is going on at Collingwood? Against Melbourne they were again they were sliced open in transition, again gave up goals out the back and again the midfield was beaten. This time there was a new problem - a horribly top-heavy forward line that made keeping the ball in its forward line virtually impossible. The bye arrives after two consecutive thrashings and the season well and truly done at 4-8. |
2016: LADDER ROUND 12
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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
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Round 12: Melbourne 104 Collingwood 58
MELBOURNE 2.4.16 9.6.60 11.7.73 16.8.104
COLLINGWOOD 4.4.28 5.4.34 6.6.42 8.10.58
GOALS - Collingwood: Cox 2, Maynard, White, Sidebottom, Varcoe, Greenwood, Grundy
BEST - Collingwood: Treloar, Pendlebury, Howe, De Goey, Varcoe
INJURIES - Collingwood: J Frost (shoulder), Reid (left knee), Pendlebury (left ankle)
REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil
OFFICIAL CROWD - 60,158 at the MCG
COLLINGWOOD 4.4.28 5.4.34 6.6.42 8.10.58
GOALS - Collingwood: Cox 2, Maynard, White, Sidebottom, Varcoe, Greenwood, Grundy
BEST - Collingwood: Treloar, Pendlebury, Howe, De Goey, Varcoe
INJURIES - Collingwood: J Frost (shoulder), Reid (left knee), Pendlebury (left ankle)
REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil
OFFICIAL CROWD - 60,158 at the MCG
| 1. Melbourne exorcises its Demons Collingwood's hold over Melbourne on Queen's Birthday extends back to 2007. Despite regarding the marquee game as their 'Grand Final', the Demons have perennially struggled on the big stage. But not this season. Melbourne shook off a slow start to make a statement on Monday, kicking seven goals to one in the second quarter to seize control of the match. Nathan Jones (31 touches and five clearances) and Bernie Vince (42 disposals and 11 rebound 50s) had blinders, Max Gawn dominated after quarter-time (27 disposals, 31 hit-outs and three goals) and Jesse Hogan (three goals) was a beacon in attack. The Demons also received significant contributions from Christian Petracca (20 disposals and one goal) and Clayton Oliver (16 touches and eight tackles). 2. Bucks' big selection blunder It was a big call by Nathan Buckley to play Mason Cox (211cm), Jarrod Witts (209cm) and Brodie Grundy (203cm) in the same side. The move backfired spectacularly as Collingwood was unable to apply the pressure needed to trap the ball in its forward half. By overlooking Travis Cloke, the Pies had Jesse White, Witts and Cox inside 50 as their forward options. If the trio could not mark it, Melbourne could simply rush the ball out of defence and create forward forays from Collingwood's turnovers. Tom McDonald had a picnic in defence. White, Witts and Cox kicked just three goals between them on a day where the Magpies kicked just eight goals (four after quarter-time) for the afternoon. 3. Viney gives the Dees a hand Melbourne shocked many when it named Jack Viney in its team for Monday's game, just two weeks after breaking the knucklebone in his hand against Port Adelaide. Viney passed a rigorous fitness test on Saturday to prove he was ready to play. The tough midfielder played the game with a glove on his left hand. Viney was thrust straight into the thick of the action by starting in the middle and booted the Demons' opening goal with a clever soccer kick. The midfielder did not have the impact that he has generated for much of 2016 but he still played a valuable role, finishing with 30 disposals and six clearances. |
4. A win-win trade Former Demon Jeremy Howe and ex-Magpie Ben Kennedy both performed strongly against their former teams on Monday. The duo were part of a four-way trade deal that also involved Paul Seedsman moving to Adelaide and Jimmy Toumpas to Port Adelaide. Howe has been a welcome addition to a struggling Collingwood backline and held up well under immense pressure to be one of the Magpies' best. After coming back into the team following a best afield performance in the VFL last week, Kennedy hit his straps and was particularly influential in the second term. The zippy forward had 29 touches, 10 marks and a goal to cap off a very satisfying day against his old side. 5. Bugg a pain in the Sidebottom Melbourne has not generally played a run-with player in 2016, even after the success Bernie Vince and Jack Viney (to a certain extent) enjoyed last season. But after Steele Sidebottom had seven disposals and a goal in the first quarter, Paul Roos decided to revert back to the tactic. He sent the niggling Tomas Bugg to the Pies' prime mover with great success. Bugg kept Sidebottom to just 10 more disposals for the match as he applied the defensive clamps. Bugg won 21 disposals and had eight tackles to be one of Melbourne's most important players on the day. It was a big call by Nathan Buckley to play Mason Cox (211cm), Jarrod Witts (209cm) and Brodie Grundy (203cm) in the same side. The move backfired spectacularly as Collingwood was unable to apply the pressure needed to trap the ball in its forward half. By overlooking Travis Cloke, the Pies had Jesse White, Witts and Cox inside 50 as their forward options. If the trio could not mark it, Melbourne could simply rush the ball out of defence and create forward forays from Collingwood's turnovers. |
| THE MEDIA | |
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POOR ball use, a lack of forward pressure, an inability to support tagged teammates and a failed plan to work Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn over led to Collingwood's 46-point loss, Magpies coach Nathan Buckley says. Having slumped to 14th on the ladder with just four wins in the first 12 games, Buckley said the Magpies had to recommit to the way it wants to play after being too easy to play against in the past fortnight. "We have got a vision of where we want to go and we have to embody that more often," Buckley said. The coach said poor ball use after quarter-time ensured the Magpies weren't able to take advantage of matching the Demons in the inside 50 count (46-45 in Collingwood's favour). "Their contested method versus ours was the difference in the game," Buckley said. "Their forwards got the benefit of that and our forwards weren't able to take advantage of the haphazard ball that was coming the other way." The lack of flow helped the Demons dominate when the ball hit the ground inside Collingwood's forward 50 with Tom McDonald, Bernie Vince and Josh Wagner exiting the back half of the ground too easily. "Their ability to get back on groundball in our forward line was pretty effective," Buckley said. "[They were] able to find that first kick out of our forward 50 too easily." Buckley conceded selecting Jarrod Witts as a second ruckman in an effort to beat Gawn into submission had failed, with the presence of three ineffective talls in Witts, Brodie Grundy and Mason Cox giving the Demons an advantage. "The intent was to try to work Gawn over," Buckley said. "I think it happened the other way ... he schooled a few of our boys in that process." He was also disappointed that Steele Sidebottom's teammates didn't make life difficult for Demons tagger Tomas Bugg, who took the silky midfielder's effectiveness away. Buckley said that battle was a snapshot for how Collingwood played. "The question asked post-match was 'How many of Steele's teammates got across to help him? How many of Steele's teammates made life more uncomfortable for Tom Bugg?'" Buckley said. "When we were up and about we had the opposition having to throw ice-packs on left, right and centre because we are hard to play against." Buckley said the Magpies had a chance to regroup over the bye and said the little things were hurting the team in big ways. He said the line St Kilda coach Alan Richardson had used to describe the Saints also applied to Collingwood's plight. "You're either learners or losers and in many ways we're in that position." RUCKMAN Max Gawn has laid claim to being the game's best ruckman after leading Melbourne to its first win on Queen's Birthday since 2007, with the Demons destroying Collingwood by 46 points. As the Demons kicked seven goals in the second quarter, Gawn had 10 disposals and kicked two goals. Such was his presence and influence, he made the Magpies' decision to add Jarrod Witts to the line-up to support Brodie Grundy and Mason Cox a failure. Melbourne dominated uncontested possession and had 125 more disposals than Collingwood to win 16.8 (104) to 8.10 (58). After wasting opportunities early, Jack Trengove started the ball rolling for Melbourne in the second quarter with his first goal since round 19, 2013. The Demons kicked seven of the next eight goals until Levi Greenwood broke the run and kicked one for the Magpies five minutes into the third quarter. Demons skipper Nathan Jones - the only remaining Demon from that Queen's Birthday win in 2007 - inspired the turnaround, breaking Greenwood's tag and using his muscle around the stoppages to win vital contests. He then watched on as Gawn and midfielder Bernie Vince exposed Collingwood's weaknesses to be the best two players on the ground. Gawn finished with a career-high 27 disposals and three goals, ensuring he cashed in on the exposure gained by being on the front cover of the AFL Record. Vince was relentless with an amazing 42 disposals and he had good support from Tomas Bugg, who restricted Steele Sidebottom to just 17 disposals, while Dom Tyson (29 disposals) was excellent from start to finish. Tom McDonald was brilliant, erasing the memory of last Queen's Birthday when the absent Travis Cloke kicked seven goals against the defender. He took nine marks and restricted the Magpies' attack to just 13 marks inside 50. His brother Oscar was also very good in defence, playing his best game for Melbourne, outpointing the Magpies' tall forwards when the football hit the ground. Melbourne's forward line looked potent with key forward Jesse Hogan good in the air, taking six marks and kicking three goals. He enjoyed good support from Chris Dawes who ran hard to create space, Jack Watts kicked two goals and Dean Kent had three majors. Collingwood had few winners with Travis Varcoe battling hard as Scott Pendlebury and Adam Treloar put in their normal serviceable performances, but they could not compete with Melbourne after quarter-time. Melbourne now has six wins and six losses after 12 rounds while Collingwood's finals hopes are gone with just four wins as it heads into the bye in 14th position. MEDICAL ROOM Collingwood: Scott Pendlebury had his foot iced after the game but Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley was vague after the game on whether the captain had suffered an injury. He played out the game and did not appear in discomfort during the match. Ben Reid had ice on his left knee too but should be fine, while Jack Frost returned to the ground after having his shoulder assessed. The Magpies don't have any players of note returning from injury and the bye will help teammates recover from niggles. |
COLLINGWOOD stacked its side with big men and Melbourne's ruckman Max Gawn went through them like a wrecking ball. The All-Australian contender was best-afield in the Demons' 46-point win at the MCG, leaving Collingwood's coach Nathan Buckley to lament a strategy that went horribly wrong. "It was probably the lack of impact in the ruck that hurt us more than anything else," Buckley said. The Magpies mentor said Jarrod Witts' form in the VFL meant it was "hard to deny him any further". However the Magpies were blown away by Gawn's 27-possession, three-goal performance as Witts and Brodie Grundy failed to limit the bearded big man's impact. "The intent was to try to work Gawn over. I think it happened the other way," Buckley said. "He had more than 30 hit-outs, 27 touches and kicked three goals." Collingwood's key forwards also failed to dominate although Buckley said "haphazard" delivery into the inside-50 zone didn't help. "We had one more inside-50. We didn't dominate aerially the way we might have," he said. "Mainly our ball use was really poor. We're capable of better than what we dished up today." Collingwood faces a fortnight of soul-searching, sitting 14th with a 4-8 win-loss record and a bye to come this weekend. Buckley rated Collingwood's effort as "OK". "We were just that one or two per cent off and Melbourne took full toll," he said. Buckley said Collingwood couldn't match Melbourne's tackling pressure which was "through the roof". "We weren't able to put enough pressure on that ball carrier," Buckley said. Buckley said Tomas Bugg's shutdown role on Steele Sidebottom, who had 17 touches and didn't have a major impact, was a snapshot of what happened in the game. "We've got two senior leaders out there, Steele Sidebottom and Pendles (skipper Scott Pendlebury), and one of them gets sat on from the opposition," Buckley said. "How many of Steele's teammates made life more uncomfortable for Tom Bugg? "When we're up and about, we have the opposition having to throw ice packs on left, right and centre because we're hard to play against. "The last two weeks in particular, I don't think we've been that. It was too easy for the opposition to do a job on one of our senior leaders. "We can't be just expecting that he's going to get himself out of it. "It's a team game and we've got help each other out a bit more." Collingwood's tactical ploy to use two rucks to tag team Melbourne big man Max Gawn failed utterly at the MCG on Sunday with the ruckman turning the tables on Collingwood with a best-on-ground performance that prompted Magpies coach Nathan Buckley to admit his side had not been hard to play against for two weeks. Collingwood were solidly beaten for a second successive week by a team out of the top eight - losing by 46 points at the MCG - and enter the bye with just four wins and eight losses, a long injury list that will not shorten in the short term and a season on the cusp. "We are capable of better than what we dished up today," Buckley said. The Magpies dropped Travis Cloke and brought in second ruck Jarrod Witts to alternate forward and in the ruck with Brodie Grundy. Buckley admitted the pair were worked over by Gawn who was best on ground, winning the Neale Daniher Trophy. "The intent was to try to work Gawn over and it happened the other way. We have had a ruckman opposing us who has had more than 30 hitouts, 27 touches and kicked three goals so I think he has scored a few of our boys in that process," Buckley said. "We didn't dominate aerially the way we might have with those (tall forwards and rucks: Witts, Grundy, Mason Cox and Jesse White). "It was the lack of impact in the ruck that hurt us more than anything else." While Collingwood has a long injury list that leaves little scope for changing the list, Buckley said the first concern was not changing players but getting players in the team to perform better. "We have got to improve our output first," he said. Buckley said a microcosm of the game was that Collingwood had done nothing to help Steele Sidebottom when he was being heavily tagged out of the match by Tom Bugg. "When we are up and about, we have the opposition throwing ice packs on left, right and centre because we are hard to play against and the last two weeks, in particular, I don't think we have been that. Ultimately, that comes home to roost with all of us," he said. "When we have come to play, we have looked all right and when we haven't and been a little bit off you can see how tough this game is. The weight of numbers has hurt us at times." The senior players brought back into the team prematurely illustrated the gulf in the senior and reserve grade. "We find out the difference between AFL and VFL when Marsh and Williams come in and Wittsy for that matter and there is still a big gap, a big jump-up. It is the capacity of enough of us to be able to play at AFL standard for four quarters and we are just too inconsistent at the moment." Buckley pointed to an uncontested mark by Jack Trengove at the start of the second quarter when Brayden Maynard was unable to effect the contest, a missed spoil from Jack Frost that led to a goal as among the rookie errors that undid Collingwood. NEXT UP Collingwood has a bye this week before it meets Fremantle in a danger game at the MCG in round 14. NEXT FIVE BYE, Fremantle, Carlton, GWS Giants, Adelaide Crows, North Melbourne |
Thursday, June 09, 2016
Round 12: The Team
| Round 12 COLLINGWOOD v MELBOURNE Time, Place, TV: Monday June 13, 3:20pm MCG 7mate / Fox Footy 3:00pm Weather: Min 5 Max 14 Chance of rain 5%: <1mm Wind: N 24kph Betting: Collingwood $2.15 Melbourne $1.72 |
HB: Marley Williams, Jack Frost, Josh Smith
C: Tom Phillips, Adam Treloar, Steele Sidebottom
HF: Jordan De Goey, Jesse White, Travis Varcoe
F: Ben Crocker, Mason Cox, Jarryd Blair
Foll: Brodie Grundy, Scott Pendlebury, Jack Crisp
Int: Jarrod Witts, Jonathon Marsh, Levi Greenwood, Ben Sinclair
Emg: Alan Toovey, Nathan Brown, Matthew Goodyear
IN: Jarrod Witts, Jonathon Marsh, Tom Phillips, Marley Williams
OUT: Travis Cloke, Matthew Goodyear, Adam Oxley, Alan Toovey (omitted)
NEW: Tom Phillips (20, Oakleigh Chargers)
Two players, Jonathon Marsh and Tom Phillips, will appear for their first game of the season, taking the number of players used to 38 after just 12 rounds. They will be joined by Marley Williams and Jarrod Witts, who will play his first match since the opening round loss to Sydney. Alan Toovey and Matthew Goodyear join Travis Cloke and Adam Oxley as the four players omitted. Phillips, who will debut at the age of 20, was recruited with pick No. 58 in last November's National Draft. A left-footed wingman, Phillips' consistency has been a feature of the VFL season to date. He collected 33 disposals and kicked three goals in last week's win over Werribee, and has been on the match committee's radar since ANZAC Day, when he was first named as an emergency. Travis Cloke is one of two omissions from a Collingwood squad named to take on Melbourne in Monday's annual Queen's Birthday clash. Cloke and defender Adam Oxley have been left out of a side which lost to Port Adelaide by 69 points last Sunday. Oxley had 13 disposals against the Power. Cloke also had 13 touches in a match that was described by coach Nathan Buckley post game as "serviceable". The two omissions provide opportunity for a number of Collingwood players previously sitting outside the starting 22. Marley Williams and Tom Phillips are in line to take on the Demons, while Jarrod Witts, Nathan Brown and Jonathon Marsh have been added to the Magpies' extended bench. If selected, Phillips will to become the fifth Collingwood player to debut this season. Selected with pick 58 in the 2015 National Draft, the 19-year-old was a pre-season bolter during his first summer at the Holden Centre. He dethroned Steele Sidebottom as Collingwood's 2km time-trial champ in November before getting his first AFL experience against North Melbourne in round three of the NAB Challenge. Phillips most recent game caught the attention of many as he won 33 disposals and kicked three goals in a best-on-ground VFL performance against Werribee. In the same match, defender Williams played his best game since coming back from a toe injury a fortnight prior. He has been named on the half-back flank, in a backline also consisting of former Demon Jeremy Howe. Howe didn't train with Collingwood's main group on Thursday as he continued to struggle to overcome minor knee and abductor injuries. "(Howe) was sore, there's no doubt," Buckley said before training. "He's been pretty important for us in the last month in that defensive role." Collingwood will train for the final time on Saturday before the final team to take on the Demons is named at 5pm on Saturday night. |
Wednesday, June 08, 2016
Preview Round 12: Collingwood v Melbourne
SportsMatt
Collingwood won't play finals this year, that much is clear now. That's a stark reality considering the very public preseason expectations of the Magpies. The aim was finals, it was supposed to be the pass mark this season yet after 11 rounds the Pies sit with a 4-7 win/loss record. The dam wall burst open on Sunday at the M.C.G. when Collingwood were completely and utterly destroyed by Port Adelaide to the tune of 67 points. The Power aren't even a top rated team, yet they toyed with the Magpies for most of the game, scoring some of the easiest goals you'll ever see at this level. The problems exist for the Magpies on so many levels. Their defense is leaking big scores, the midfield while still breaking even most weeks can't dominate, and their forward line has been ravaged by injury. It leaves the Pies with a makeshift lineup going into the Queen's Birthday holiday matchup against Melbourne this week.
The Demons themselves sit one win and one spot on the ladder above Collingwood. It's probably leaves Melbourne about on par with preseason expectations. They could be sitting a lot better though, with 3 losses in their last 4 games undoing some of the good early season work. These two have faced off already this season, with Melbourne taking a 35 point win over Collingwood back in round 4. In that win for the Demons, Jack Watts starred with 4 goals while Viney, Bugg and Jones gained almost 100 possessions between them. It was one of the more dominant Melbourne performances in recent memory. This game will be the 16th season in a row that the Pies and Demons have met on the Queen's Birthday Monday holiday, with Melbourne not saluting on this day since 2007. The Dees will start favourites in this one though as they seem to possess a side in form and healthier at the moment.
COLLINGWOOD PREVIEW
Where to now for the Magpies? Do they put the cue in the rack and get games into the kids? Or do they persist with selecting the absolute best 22 based on form and performance each week? I dare say it's the latter, at least for a few more rounds. There are some positives for Collingwood during these tough times. The ruck combination of Mason Cox and Brodie Grundy seems to be working well and together they dominated the hitouts last week. The midfield is still performing quite well also with Pendlebury, Sidebottom, Crisp and Treloar carrying the team most weeks. Down back Ben Reid and Jeremy Howe have formed a strong partnership and seem to be holding together a rather makeshift Pies defense under extreme pressure. That's about it though. There wasn't much to write home about out of the big loss to Port really so it's a matter of looking forward, rather than looking back.
Going into this game against the Demons the Pies will look to get back to the consistency of effort that had seen them win 2 of their last 3 games before the capitulation last Sunday. They seem to have got through the game relatively unscathed with ex Demon Jeremy Howe the major concern with abductor and knee injuries. When Howe went down in the first term it looked like it may have been season over for him, but after several minutes off the ground he came back on and played the game out. That's a bonus for the Pies as Howe has been very good down back the last few weeks. Outside of the 22 selected on Sunday there are numerous players who are pushing their claim for selection. The VFL Magpies had yet another big win, this time over Werribee, and the likes of Phillips, Aish, Williams, Witts, Goldsack and Marsh will all consider themselves a chance of promotion. Of them the most interesting player is Tom Phillips. The first year midfielder has excelled at VFL level in recent times and gathered 33 disposals and 3 goals on Saturday. The most impressive part of Phillips' game is his accurate ball use, something that the senior side is screaming out for. You'd think he will make his senior debut on Monday, maybe at the expense of a fellow youngster in Crocker or Goodyear.
Whatever the final 22 is (we won't know till Saturday night) the Pies effort has to be more consistent if they are to be any chance on Monday. Their game plan relies on it, heck most teams do, but it seems Collingwood more than anyone else relies on a high intensity of effort or they fall away quite quickly. If the Pies can bring that higher level of effort and intensity on Monday they can win this game.
MELBOURNE PREVIEW
Melbourne are somewhat of a strange team to assess. They are still a work in progress with all planning leading towards the coaching handover at seasons end from Roos to Goodwin. Melbourne hasn't played finals since 2007 (the last time they defeated the Pies on QB too) and since that year haven't finished above 12th on the ladder at seasons' end. So for the Demons to be sitting 11th halfway through this season shows that maybe, just maybe there is finally on field improvement. Four weeks back they were in an even better position after the win over the Suns left them with a 4-3 record. The last four games haven't been as impressive as those first few but the Demons playing group will take confidence from their last performance against the Pies. That win was arguably the Dees best performance of the season.
If Melbourne have a distinct area of strength it has to be their midfield. Even with Jack Viney out injured for this game the Dees central core is still strong, led by maybe the most dominant ruckman in the game today, Max Gawn. Only the Eagles average more hitouts a game than Melbourne and the majority of those hitouts come from Gawn (he has 457, the next best is 30 at the club). Gawn gives first service to a talented group that includes Vince, Jones, Tyson, Kent, Petracca and Trengove. Melbourne rank in the top 3 for clearances and contested possessions showing just how strong this midfield is at the moment. They face off on Monday against a Collingwood midfield that ranks last, dead last for clearances in the AFL. A lot of that is down to the ruck too, with youngster Brodie Grundy still learning his craft, and the inexperienced Mason Cox backing him up. The Dees will look to use Gawn's skills to their advantage and dominate in the middle.
From an area of strength to the weakest are on the ground for Melbourne, the defense. It's still a work in progress but the Dees backline does struggle to stop teams from scoring. This defense has conceded scores of 135, 114 and 121 in 3 of their last 4 losses, and that has to be of major concern to coach Paul Roos. The reliance on Tom McDonald is massive, he's one of the better key position defenders in the AFL for sure, but has very little consistent support around him. Frost, Hunt, Wagner and Bugg seem to be the popular choices at the moment to give that support but it's not working out so well. The good news for Melbourne is they run into a decimated Collingwood forward line. The Pies will be missing Moore, Fasolo, Elliott and Swan on Monday all who would start in any teams attack. McDonald may not even be given the task on the out of form Travis Cloke as Port used smaller and more mobile defenders to expose his lack of pace. If there's one week that the Demons defense can perform well, it's this one.
The Demons forward line on paper looks quite strong and it is delivering on it's promise most weeks. This Melbourne attack ranks 7th for total points despite only having the 9th most inside 50 entries through 11 rounds. Jesse Hogan and Jack Watts have been the two focus points for Melbourne in 2016 and they are on target to kick 100 goals combined. Watts destroyed the Pies in the first game and he and Hogan, as well as the supporting cast of small and medium options, will come against a weakened Pies backline. Injury has also hit the Collingwood defense with several first choice options out at the moment. Where the Pies look to struggle also is with small forwards and this is where Garlett, Stretch and Hunt can do some damage. Of course the Dees also have 2010 Collingwood premiership player Chris Dawes who has just returned from injury, to provide another headache for a struggling Pies backline.
On paper Melbourne should win this game. Their squad is talented enough in the middle and up forward to cause enough problems for a struggling Pies team. To do that though they will have to snap out of the little funk they are in. Their form from the first 7 games would win this game, and the hope will be that with Dawes, Trengove and a few others having a few runs under their belts now, the Dees consistency of effort and production will increase. There shouldn't be too many changes at selection with Ben Kennedy and Cam Pederson the two most likely to come in. Kennedy, another ex Magpie, started the season well but had a shocker against Port two weeks back. This is a game an improving Melbourne really should win, so it's a good test to see just how far they've come.
TIP
Melbourne hasn't defeated Collingwood twice in one season since 1988, so they have a chance to create some history on Monday. To do so they will have to play better than they have the past few weeks. They have shown glimpses in the past two losses of the form that got them to a positive win/loss record after 7 games but haven't been able to produce it for four quarters. The Pies are the same. They have been good at times but were over run late by the Dogs and were insipid at times against Port. Using Port as a form guide there's not a lot in this game really. Both teams kicked terribly at goal in heavy losses to the Power but were never really in the contest.
You would expect a better effort from both clubs this week though, with the Demons big day always bringing out a rise in performance, even if they haven't won one of these QB games since 2007. The Pies though have bounced back well after big losses this year, and with the return of a few experienced heads likely, I can see Collingwood getting the better of Melbourne in a close game.
PIES BY 9 POINTS.
| Round 12 COLLINGWOOD v MELBOURNE Time, Place, TV: Monday June 13, 3:20pm MCG 7mate / Fox Footy 3:00pm Weather: Min 7 Max 14 Chance of rain 20%: <1mm Wind: N 23kph Betting: Collingwood $2.35 Melbourne $1.59 |
The Demons themselves sit one win and one spot on the ladder above Collingwood. It's probably leaves Melbourne about on par with preseason expectations. They could be sitting a lot better though, with 3 losses in their last 4 games undoing some of the good early season work. These two have faced off already this season, with Melbourne taking a 35 point win over Collingwood back in round 4. In that win for the Demons, Jack Watts starred with 4 goals while Viney, Bugg and Jones gained almost 100 possessions between them. It was one of the more dominant Melbourne performances in recent memory. This game will be the 16th season in a row that the Pies and Demons have met on the Queen's Birthday Monday holiday, with Melbourne not saluting on this day since 2007. The Dees will start favourites in this one though as they seem to possess a side in form and healthier at the moment.
COLLINGWOOD PREVIEW
 |
Going into this game against the Demons the Pies will look to get back to the consistency of effort that had seen them win 2 of their last 3 games before the capitulation last Sunday. They seem to have got through the game relatively unscathed with ex Demon Jeremy Howe the major concern with abductor and knee injuries. When Howe went down in the first term it looked like it may have been season over for him, but after several minutes off the ground he came back on and played the game out. That's a bonus for the Pies as Howe has been very good down back the last few weeks. Outside of the 22 selected on Sunday there are numerous players who are pushing their claim for selection. The VFL Magpies had yet another big win, this time over Werribee, and the likes of Phillips, Aish, Williams, Witts, Goldsack and Marsh will all consider themselves a chance of promotion. Of them the most interesting player is Tom Phillips. The first year midfielder has excelled at VFL level in recent times and gathered 33 disposals and 3 goals on Saturday. The most impressive part of Phillips' game is his accurate ball use, something that the senior side is screaming out for. You'd think he will make his senior debut on Monday, maybe at the expense of a fellow youngster in Crocker or Goodyear.
Whatever the final 22 is (we won't know till Saturday night) the Pies effort has to be more consistent if they are to be any chance on Monday. Their game plan relies on it, heck most teams do, but it seems Collingwood more than anyone else relies on a high intensity of effort or they fall away quite quickly. If the Pies can bring that higher level of effort and intensity on Monday they can win this game.
MELBOURNE PREVIEW
 |
If Melbourne have a distinct area of strength it has to be their midfield. Even with Jack Viney out injured for this game the Dees central core is still strong, led by maybe the most dominant ruckman in the game today, Max Gawn. Only the Eagles average more hitouts a game than Melbourne and the majority of those hitouts come from Gawn (he has 457, the next best is 30 at the club). Gawn gives first service to a talented group that includes Vince, Jones, Tyson, Kent, Petracca and Trengove. Melbourne rank in the top 3 for clearances and contested possessions showing just how strong this midfield is at the moment. They face off on Monday against a Collingwood midfield that ranks last, dead last for clearances in the AFL. A lot of that is down to the ruck too, with youngster Brodie Grundy still learning his craft, and the inexperienced Mason Cox backing him up. The Dees will look to use Gawn's skills to their advantage and dominate in the middle.
From an area of strength to the weakest are on the ground for Melbourne, the defense. It's still a work in progress but the Dees backline does struggle to stop teams from scoring. This defense has conceded scores of 135, 114 and 121 in 3 of their last 4 losses, and that has to be of major concern to coach Paul Roos. The reliance on Tom McDonald is massive, he's one of the better key position defenders in the AFL for sure, but has very little consistent support around him. Frost, Hunt, Wagner and Bugg seem to be the popular choices at the moment to give that support but it's not working out so well. The good news for Melbourne is they run into a decimated Collingwood forward line. The Pies will be missing Moore, Fasolo, Elliott and Swan on Monday all who would start in any teams attack. McDonald may not even be given the task on the out of form Travis Cloke as Port used smaller and more mobile defenders to expose his lack of pace. If there's one week that the Demons defense can perform well, it's this one.
The Demons forward line on paper looks quite strong and it is delivering on it's promise most weeks. This Melbourne attack ranks 7th for total points despite only having the 9th most inside 50 entries through 11 rounds. Jesse Hogan and Jack Watts have been the two focus points for Melbourne in 2016 and they are on target to kick 100 goals combined. Watts destroyed the Pies in the first game and he and Hogan, as well as the supporting cast of small and medium options, will come against a weakened Pies backline. Injury has also hit the Collingwood defense with several first choice options out at the moment. Where the Pies look to struggle also is with small forwards and this is where Garlett, Stretch and Hunt can do some damage. Of course the Dees also have 2010 Collingwood premiership player Chris Dawes who has just returned from injury, to provide another headache for a struggling Pies backline.
On paper Melbourne should win this game. Their squad is talented enough in the middle and up forward to cause enough problems for a struggling Pies team. To do that though they will have to snap out of the little funk they are in. Their form from the first 7 games would win this game, and the hope will be that with Dawes, Trengove and a few others having a few runs under their belts now, the Dees consistency of effort and production will increase. There shouldn't be too many changes at selection with Ben Kennedy and Cam Pederson the two most likely to come in. Kennedy, another ex Magpie, started the season well but had a shocker against Port two weeks back. This is a game an improving Melbourne really should win, so it's a good test to see just how far they've come.
TIP
Melbourne hasn't defeated Collingwood twice in one season since 1988, so they have a chance to create some history on Monday. To do so they will have to play better than they have the past few weeks. They have shown glimpses in the past two losses of the form that got them to a positive win/loss record after 7 games but haven't been able to produce it for four quarters. The Pies are the same. They have been good at times but were over run late by the Dogs and were insipid at times against Port. Using Port as a form guide there's not a lot in this game really. Both teams kicked terribly at goal in heavy losses to the Power but were never really in the contest.
You would expect a better effort from both clubs this week though, with the Demons big day always bringing out a rise in performance, even if they haven't won one of these QB games since 2007. The Pies though have bounced back well after big losses this year, and with the return of a few experienced heads likely, I can see Collingwood getting the better of Melbourne in a close game.
PIES BY 9 POINTS.
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