Cam Hooke’s Collingwood Life 2024: Round 6 Preview

G’day all.

 

What a sad day for the team with the announcement of Nathan Murphy’s retirement. I don’t think there is anyone that would begrudge his decision or not wish him well for the future. He has been a notable presence in our team and his importance in our Backline has been clearly evident this year. For his farewell speech go towww.collingwoodfc.com.au/video/1532128/nathan-murphys-powerful-speech-to-teammates?videoId=1532128&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1713259051001. And if you need a reminder as to his career highlights, including his phenomenal marking and spoiling, go to www.collingwoodfc.com.au/video/1531704/its-been-an-amazing-journey-murohy?videoId=1531704&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1713228038001. Thet are each worth watching. “Good luck, Murph!”

 

We’re back, hopefully recovered a bit after our Bye break. No message from Bali, thankfully. I hope everyone is raring to go? Certainly I am.

 

Keep the faith. Go Pies.

 

Round 6

 

Saturday, 20^th April; bounce at 1.45 – Collingwood versus Port Adelaide at the MCG.

 

Port have a difficult history against Collingwood in recent years, both at the MCG and Adelaide Oval. They have Lost the last three encounters, two with margins of 6 Points or less, the other in the March 2023 battle, they Lost by 71 Points. They can be expected to be pretty highly motivated, though the game being at the MCG will figure in their confidence. Their Club can also tend to focus on apparel rather than playing footy – “go get em”, Eddie.

 

Port have had a good start to the Season with four Wins from five games, though on closer inspection, the Wins have been against WCE, Richmond, Essendon and Freo. Of those, only Freo would be considered as having Finals’ potential and Port Won that by only 3 Points, at the Adelaide Oval. And they Won two of the other Wins, also at Adelaide Oval, something that seems to have a huge positive affect on them. Their Loss was to Melbourne by 7 Points, albeit at Adelaide Oval. We, on the other hand have faced teams likely to be in the Top Four. It explains, sort of, why we, placed 13^th on the Ladder with an 87.9% percentage are game favourites against a team placed 3^rd with a percentage of 139.9%.  Current ‘Sportsbet’ betting is $1.77 (for a  Pies’ Win) / $2.10 (for a Pies’ Loss). Your views?

 

Them:

 

Port went into the Finals last year from 3^rd position. But that meant they ran into Brisbane at the Gabba, which they Lost in Week 1. Then they Lost to a rampant GWS at Adelaide Oval in a Semi-Final. And their Season was over.

 

Port have augmented their Midfield and their Backline since last year. Rozee (bonafide Brownlow contender) and Butters, supported by Horne-Francis, have been highly active in the Midfield this Season and the addition of Zerk-Thatcher, to assist Alir Alir, have been highly effective in defence. Port has used long kicks out of the Midfield to move the ball to a scoring position. Up Forward, Port have used their “tall Forward attack” made up of Marshall, Finlayson, Dixon and Georgiades, to provide the avenue to scoring. Against many of their opponents, Port has recovered from a late deficiency to Win, based on a tactic of quick counter-punches to turn defence into attack. Where does Rioli fit? The description of “weaving wizardry” (Howard Kimber – AAP/AFL website) applies to his exploits in the Forward line. Port also tends to score goals early in each Quarter. What they haven’t done routinely is establish control of the game for the whole game. With exceptions, the margin can fluctuate by only a couple of kicks.

 

Players to watch (based on our games against each other over the last couple of years and their games, against anyone, so far this year):

 

1. Rozee – Centre / HB. Absolutely critical. May need to be tagged;
2. Boak – Midfield / 350 games plus experience, if he is playing – currently ‘Test’;
3. Butters – Rover;
4. Houston – HB;
5. Horne-Francis – RR;
6. Alir Alir – BP – a major obstacle at times in the passage of the ball into a scoring position; and
7. Wines – Rover (also).

 

Also watch Charlie Dixon – FP / FF, Rioli – HF and Ratugolea (previously from Geelong) – BP, each of whom can substantially affect a game for periods.

 

Finally, their ruck, Ivan Soldo, new in that role at Port (previously from Richmond) has been performing well of late.

Note, following on from the above, the Port emphasis (focus) of their Best (players to watch, above) in their Midfield, with a scattering elsewhere. Leads to the common statement “Win the Midfield battle to Win the Game”.

 

Us:

 

Not too much needs to change (very nearly the same as previous weeks):

 

1. Team? A few changes are suggested in my previous email following our last game and following the VFL game recently – look at the performances of Macrae, Allan and Begg in the VFL? Who to rest? I’d suggest consideration be given to resting (managing) Howe, Hoskin-Elliott and McCreery. The addition of Macrae and Allan into the Backline may be useful (but don’t drop Noble) and maybe Begg into the ruck role. A couple of taskings, below? Your thoughts?

 

1. Application? Let’s crank up the motivation and keep it there? Apply as per Q2, last game, not 2H. No change to this general requirement – Application for four full Quarters. Hold the tackles. Establish and maintain control of the game (possessions). Look to where the ball is going before passing it. Keep it up and make it even better.

 

1. Game Plan? No change to the current plan. Use varied entry to the 50 and be willing to move the ball to a better-placed goal scorer than setting packs. Crumb around packs, particularly defensively, importantly in front and behind the packs. Fix the kick-in plan – We need to keep possession, so it’s not immediately turned around. So, avoid the long kicks to packs; look to passing the ball between teammates, more generally, but particularly in the kick-in.

 

1. Be happy? Let’s see some chatter. Better each week, but there’s still room for improvement.

 

Necessary Actions?

 

1. Close attention to their Midfield – tag Rozee;
2. Close attention to selected Forwards – Charlie Dixon;
3. Note the Port emphasis in their Midfield. Win the Midfield battle – use the measures of Clearances and Inside 50s to assess;
4. Identify how many end-to-end goals are scored starting with a kick in from Port’s goal;
5. Note the number of kicks or handballs by our team members that are passed directly to an opponent; and
6. Enjoy the Win.

 

Weather. Mostly clear. No rain forecast on match day but some light rain is forecast on the preceding days. Subject to how much rain falls, particularly on Friday, it may lead to a wet and slippery game – boots with stops essential.

 

TV:      No Free to Air TV.

            Kayo or FOXTEL – Best for every game anyway.

 

My assessment?

 

• This will not be an easy Win, but Collingwood is a much better side than Port and working effectively together we should dominate the play and the scoring.
• Collingwood to Win by 23 Points. BOG De Goey – 31 Disposals, 12 Clearances, 4 Goal Assists and 1 Goal.

• Bobby gets 5 goals.
• Mihocek has 5 Goal Assists.

 

Ground Reports? Guys, Reports please? I’d like to hear from other armchair warriors watching from afar?  I’ll be there, so watch for reporting, and I know some of you are going to the Anzac Day game. More please.

 

The Future?

 

• R7 – Thursday, 25^th April (Anzac Day) – Essendon versus Collingwood at the MCG; bounce at 3.20pm; and
• R8 – Friday, 3^rd May – Carlton versus Collingwood at the MCG; bounce at 7.40pm. ‘The olde enemy’ – Let’s see if we can follow the lead set by our VFL and VFLW teams recently (see below).

 

Other?

 

• VFL:

• A great Pies Win last week over the traditional enemy, Carlton, by a solitary Point. It doesn’t get much better than that. They are now sitting 7^thon the Ladder.
• R4 – Sunday, 21^stApril – Coburg Lions versus Collingwood at Piranha Park, Coburg; bounce at 1.05pm. We are always interested in how individuals are going. If you can get to a match, send us a Report please.

• VFLW:

• After a pretty ordinary start to the Season, they bounced back last week with a 17 Point Win over Carlton at Victoria Park (of course). Currently sitting 13^thon the Ladder.
• R5 – Saturday, 20^thApril – Darebin Falcons versus Collingwood at the Genis Steel Oval in Preston; bounce at 2.15pm. Good luck, ladies.

 

Always believe. Go Pies.

 

Cam

 

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