Cam Hooke’s Collingwood Life – 2018 Round 17: Winners all round

A confession. I was unable to see or even follow the game being somewhere in the Andaman Sea yesterday (and, yes, very similar position on Thursday when the two dive boats capsized leaving about 40 dead – I think our crew were both competent and we were not trying to cross the prevailing storm – just slightly concerning as we headed for home). As such this is based totally on the media reporting. I’d love it if some of you who there or watched it on TV gave us your views?

 

AFL: 

Okay, Essendon – done.

 

A pretty good performance against a tenacious foe. Onward and upward.

  • Match Reporthttp://www.afl.com.au/match-centre/2018/16/ess-v-coll.Buck’s comments: Not http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-07-08/buckley-spray-helps-deliver-the-goods-for-pies and http://www.afl.com.au/video/2018-07-08/full-postmatch-magpies.Numbers:
    • Frees: 26 (us) to 17 (them). John, any comment?
    • Hit-outs: 41 / 36. Well done, Brodie.
    • Clearances: 42 / 35. A pretty fair transition from the Hit Outs. Well done, Mids.
    • Inside 50’s: 47 / 46. A fair transition – we did not dominate, according to the numbers.
    • Marks inside 50: 12 / 12. A pretty poor conversion rate by both sides.
    • Scoring shots: 18 / 17. Note the closeness of these numbers. But, of course, it is the next steps that wins the game.
    • Goals: 12 / 9.

    Competitiveness?

    • Contested Possessions 152 (us) / 135 (them) – a significant difference; and Tackles 56 each.

    Lessons:

    • What a great performance by Sidebottom – 200 games and still amongst the Best. Well done.
    • Without Quarter by Quarter numbers, and without even seeing the game, there’s not much I can usefully say. Buck’s comments, above, are worth a read, particularly noting the Coaches’ Box influence on the game – something I’ve mentioned in passing before.
    • Always, we need to play for Four Quarters.
    • FF selection? Your thoughts?

    Next: Sunday, 15 July vs West Coast (importantly) at the MCG; bounce 3.20 (AEST); bounce:

    • Preview: http://www.afl.com.au/match-centre/2018/17/coll-v-wce. It is worthwhile noting that we are favourites $1.46 to $2.75. This game is between 2nd and 3rd; 122.2% cf 120.6%; 11 Wins and 4 Losses each. It should be close, but I think we are overdue for a demolition job over the Eagles at our home – see my Picks, below.
    • Them: After a pretty good start to their season where they had 10 Wins in a row to Round 11 (including Round 11) it seems the Eagles’ season is in tatters with a series of Losses since their Round 12 Bye – Round 13 – Loss to Sydney (in Sydney), 14 – Essendon  in Perth and Adelaide (in Adelaide). Last weekend they defeated GWS in Perth in a close Win. So they are coming off a Win, just not an impressive history.
    • Who to watch for? Their Best list is pretty limited – watch for the WCE Captain, Hurn, with McGovern in the Backline and their Midfield Naitanui (of course), Gaff and Yeo. I’ve not picked up any notables in their Forward Line.
    • Us: I have no issues with the team or the Game Plan – play for four Quarters and don’t play safe. Interestingly for the Club we have a number of players coming back from injuries critical at this stage of the season. The VFL Bye has not come at a particularly useful time. Who to replace Hoskin-Elliott with, if necessary – there are a bunch.


    TV?
    No FTA TV (in Canberra); find a friend with Fox.

    My Picks: Pies by 57 points; BOG – Grundy – outpoints Naitanui with 28 Disposals @ 87% DE. Also gets two goals. De Goey gets five goals.

    VFL:

    VFLW:

    Netball:

    • Well done, ladies. The Magpies overcame a dogged Thunderbirds 58 to 48. The Pies’ finals hopes remain alive.
    • Match Report: https://supernetball.com.au/2018/07/08/magpies-given-almighty-scare-by-thunderbirds/
    • Next: Round 11 – Saturday, 14 July vs the Sunshine Coast Lightning away; tip-off at 6.00pm. Lightning are only a couple of spots above us on the Ladder; we need to keep winning. Onward and upward, ladies; we are all behind you.

    VWFL

    Other sports, Canberra:

    • GWS at Manuka – Saturday, 11 August; bounce 7.25pm vs Adelaide.
    • Raiders – Next game Saturday, 14 July versus NQ Cowboys; kick off 7.35pm. Perhaps go and watch young Fensom revisiting Canberra.
    • Brumbies – Next game Saturday, 14 July – away – Waratahs.

    Other:

    • Personal circumstances? Another vague confession – I commenced Leave (combined Long Service Leave and Recreation Leave) a couple of weeks ago. It finishes on 8 January next year; and I retire wef 9 January 2019. I sort of thought more than 46 years was long enough.


      Go Pies
      .

      Cam

       

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