Cam Hooke’s Collingwood Life 2024: Round 23 Review / Round 24 Preview

August 19, 2024 by Almanac Admin Leave a Comment

Fellow True Believers, another strange weekend. And I’m not enjoying writing this given the other results this past weekend. But it does reinforce a range of ‘what if’ questions. What issues should we address for next year? Are there any examples of team play worth emulating? What do you think?

Remember, as Pies’ supporters, we’ve been here before. I frequently remind the critics, who seem to numerically explode in parallel with any Pies’ backward step, that it is easier to support a winning team than one less successful. We know how to celebrate our Wins, but also how to lament the Losses. It is our team that is the focus of our support.

A great performance on the weekend noting that this was between the team placed 5^th on the Ladder (a week before it’d been in 2^nd place) and us sitting at 11^th. You just knew they were going to actually get there in the end. And they did. Pity the other results didn’t help us. In reality, the pity is that our results during the season largely took our position on the Ladder out of our control. As the coach has said on many occasions, we can only focus on what we can influence. More below.

But, as always,

Go Pies.

Round 23

Collingwood 11.13.79 defeated Brisbane 11.12.78.

Scoring shots 24 (us) / 23 (them).

Possession percentage: 41% (us) / 40% (them).

Match Report. www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/6084#match-report

Coach’s interview. www.afl.com.au/video/1198398/full-post-match-r23-magpies?videoId=1198398&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1723889214001. Worth watching.

Goals:

Q1 2 (us) / 6 (them) – A quite incredible start where they got the first four goals. They dominated comprehensively until a goal by us, our second, to be followed in Q2 by three more, started to put some respectability onto the scoreboard. We faced a 24-Point deficit at the first break;
Q2 3 / 0 – This Q is being regarded as the best Quarter of football by an individual. The individual? NickD, of course, including a favourite Goal of the Year contender. This led to a 5-Point deficit at Half Time;
Q3 2 / 3 – Up and down a bit resulting in a final change deficit of 14-Points; and
Q4 4 / 2 – Okay, after an exchange of goals at the start of the Q, we hit the ground running – Q4 scores were 4.5.29 (us) / 2.2 14 (them). Final result?
Total: 11 / 11; a Win by 1-Point.

Numbers (some statistics taken, with comments). The numbers should be treated with some caution because they are a record across the whole game. In this game Brisbane dominated Q1; broadly speaking, we were pretty fortunate to be reasonably close at each break. The exception? We exploded into Q2 and 4. With some comments, the statistics are interesting:

Statistic	Numbers Us / Them	Comments
Disposals	330 / 352	Previously not normally included (but I think I’ll include them from now on), but here the difference was minimal unlike many of our recent Losing games. We have been swamped by our opponents in the last few weeks – they have controlled the games. Of note, something we pride ourselves on, the handball component – 126 / 144.
Hit Outs (HO)	45 / 35	Again, I simply don’t believe these numbers. Isn’t Cameron doing well, generally, but particularly around the ground? I still don’t think he isn’t carrying an injury. The relevance of the HO number is highly suspect because it is not a measure of the effectiveness of the rucking – that would be ‘HO to advantage’ or, more accurately, Clearances.
Clearances	35 / 37	Includes: 12 / 8 Centre clearances and 23 / 29 stoppage clearances. This is, potentially, hugely significant, but note the difference between the HO comparison numbers and the Clearance comparison numbers. Our Midfield was marginally dominated to a degree unaligned with the HO comparison that the HO numbers would indicate. ‘Clearance to Inside 50 to Goal’ is the ideal progression.
Inside 50s	47 / 44	This is critical because of the flow-through of the Clearance dominance – we did well. Given the numbers are a comparison of the number of times the ball is in a position from where a score can result, it usually flows from these Clearance numbers. The challenge? How effectively did each side then use it? See below.
Disposal Efficiency (DE)	69.7% / 69.6%	Not too different. Not particularly useful, anyway, across the whole game.
DE inside 50	61.7% / 59.1%	This is, potentially, a critical difference relating to Clearances and Inside 50s, identified above. This is where you see how effectively the teams use their entry into the 50 – and we somehow recorded a small level of dominance. Our advantage of Inside 50 numbers should have been further emphasised by this.
Goals scored	11 / 11	The fundamental result.
Players with DE of 80%	6 / 4	Reflecting the marking and passing game by both sides, I suspect.
Contested Possessions (CP)	118 / 138	Okay, we had a serious deficiency in this score. The measure of how hard each team is working – CP, Tackles and Turnovers combined.
Turnovers	56 / 62	Really important, above, but not too different.
Marks (M)	93 / 86	Across game both sides used shorter passes to unmanned team mates to move the ball, keeping possession. We were more direct when we produced results. Impacts on CP.
M inside 50	14 / 11	Impacts on DE inside 50 numbers.
Tackles (T)	70 / 40	Important – see above. Across game. Pies’ significant domination.
T inside 50	16 / 7	Also impacts on DE inside 50 numbers.
1 %’ers	39 / 47	Really important and the deficiency is something of a surprise. This also something we pride ourselves on.
Free kicks	23 / 20	This number comparison surprised me. There were periods when there was a huge gap between the team Frees. I thought the umps again did a generally poor job, principally because of the lack of consistency, particularly relating to missed infringements.

The Game

This game started with their four goals unanswered. I couldn’t work out what was happening – were we going to be on the end of a hammering? The Brisbane lead was out to 31 Points in this period. Just before the first break the Pies scored their second goal. Adding to their first three in Q2 reduced the margin to 5 Points. NickD’s performance cannot be overstated. His individual actions and, more importantly, his contribution to effective teamwork were simply outstanding. If you didn’t watch the game, watch the Q2 and Q4 replays. Brisbane applied further pressure in Q3, broadly matched. Q4 was simply extraordinary. It was a pleasure to watch.

The end? Q4 included Collingwood having the last four CP, the last three Clearances, the last four Inside 50s and the last three goals. Importantly, the last goal was scored at the 19.46 time mark, necessitating a fair degree of Defensive action.

Our ball handling and our decision-making regarding where and when to pass was much better, particularly compared with some weeks back. There are still passes that went directly to an opponent. We also need to be smarter getting the ball out of a melee, using hand-passes rather than attempted kicks which have got us into serious trouble sometimes. And people were spinning out of tackles continues. An observation from the last few weeks – when our players received the ball particularly close-in, there was almost a total disregard to anyone following or coming in from the side, about to tackle.

The result: The Pies are now sitting 10^th on the Ladder outside the Eight by a Win and percentage. If we were to achieve point equality with a number of teams, which need to Lose, their percentages are way beyond ours.

Best: The AFL website identifies the following as Best – NickD, Sidebottom, Howe, Cameron and JoshD. Don’t disagree their inclusions but I might have added Maynard (428 mG, 5 IP & 3 GA) and Noble (398 mG & 8 IP).

Injuries: McStay is recorded in the text as injured, though not identified formally. I am still concerned at Cameron’s fitness.

Crowd – 61,218. Okay given the inter-State nature of the competition. Certainly it sounded like a strong Collingwood crowd.

Round 24

Friday, 23^rd August – Melbourne versus Collingwood at the MCG; bounce at 7.40pm. Another Friday night game. I’m sure the benefits to the local Melbourne community and the TV rights are huge. Unfortunately, if you work or live a little out of town, getting to the games is difficult.

Melbourne are sitting below us on the Ladder in 12^th place based on their 11 Wins and 11 Losses with a 101.1% percentage, below our 10^th place based on 11 Wins, 2 Draws and 9 Losses with a 100.1% percentage.

Melbourne have had a dynamic season starting well apart from Losses to Sydney in Sydney and Brisbane, admittedly at the MCG, until they ran into Carlton at the MCG and WCE in Perth. By R8, they were sitting 4^th in the Ladder, dropping to 10^th by R13, 8^th by R18 and 12^th currently. Since the great start they’ve put together five Wins and 7 Losses. Most significantly, in their last five games they have only Won the last against GC. It is, however, significant that the other four were against Ladder-leading teams. Essentially, Melbourne have Won against teams below them on the Ladder and Lost to those above them. With the exceptions of Sydney, we have nearly done the reverse – lost to those below us and beaten those above us.

Current betting is $1.57 / $2.42. Again, just to clarify, we are the favourites but, interestingly, not by much.

Them

Melbourne successfully used Neal-Bullen to counter NickD at their first game against us. Watch for a repeat. Gawn is particularly effective around the ground, if he is playing. It is worthwhile noting the ‘expert’ commentary identifying our Cameron as a potential All Australian. He has had a great year.

The list of Players to Watch, below, indicates their reliance particularly on their Midfield. As always, win the Midfield battle, win the war. Plus others elsewhere.

This will be our second clash with Melbourne this Season. The first was on Monday, 10^th June – King’s Birthday holiday. Emails before and following were sent out on 2^nd and 12^th June, respectively. If you can’t find the past emails the easiest location is the on-line ‘Footy Almanac’. Just type ‘Hooke’ into the search engine.

Injuries. They have a number of key players out because of injury – Oliver, Petracca. And Gawn is no certainty to play.

Players to watch:

Gawn – Ruck, if playing;
Viney – Centre;
Neal-Bullen – Wing / Rover / FP / tagger;
Rivers – Rover; and
Van Rooyen, if playing.

Not too much needs to change from last week except a couple of suggested changes:

Team?
Consider need to replace Cameron. Need for Smit in Ruck?
Consider inclusion of Kruger, Richards, Dean and Macrae in place of Frampton, Cox and Lipinski plus one other;

Who to replace? Your thoughts?

Application?Possession of the ball lets you win the match – lose possession and you are fighting backwards. No change.
Game Plan?A few points:
In general, no change to the current plan;
Work on kick-in plan – the Behind score is a transfer of possession and, accordingly, the kick-in should not be wasted by simply giving it back to our opposition. We need a plan;
Work on a Plan that runs for four Quarters, particularly how to halt an opponent’s momentum – see the last few weeks (and not just involving us);
Work on coordination of the Forward line and the Backline. Avoid disrupting the Backline to ease the burden on the Forwards. Continue to better arrange and coordinate delivery into and across the 50 – plans; and
Speed up the movement out of the Backline – establish plans to execute this.

Your assessment?

Practice talking to each other– how to let team-mates know they are “hot”?
Practice tacklingand holding and countering spinning?
Be happy?

Necessary Actions?

Close attention to their Midfield, particularly countering any tagging, particularly by Neal-Bullen. Win the Midfield battle – use the measures of Clearances and Inside 50s to assess;
Close attention to their Forwards; and
Enjoy the Win.

TV. Free to air coverage on TV on 7mate. Also on Kayo, whose commentators I prefer.

Weather. Light rain is forecast on the days leading to the game with light showers forecast on the day. It will be wet and slippery. Get the old boots with stops out.

My prediction. Collingwood to Win by 27 Points.

BOG – NickD (again) with 37 Disposals @ 90.0% DE, 10 Cl and 3 GA.

McStay scores 4 goals; Elliot and Hill get two each.

——————————————————————————————————————————-

The Future

Finals. Not going to happen this year.

Other

VFL. Way to go, guys; a great way to finish Winning from the 20^thposition on the Ladder against Brisbane, placed 3rd. Really great performances by Kruger, Richards, Dean and Macrae were recorded.But we won’t make the Finals. Well done, boys, a great effort by all.
VFLW. No more, ladies.
AFLW. About to start. To follow go to www.afl.com.au/aflw/tickets.

Ground Reports? Did anyone go to the Brisbane game? Is anyone going to the final H & A game next? I’d like to hear from the armchair warriors watching from afar? More please.

Always believe. Never give up. Go Pies.

Cam

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