G’day True Believers.
It may be strange to say but I never lost faith, even when we were 1 / 6 goals down; I have evidence of this if anyone doesn’t believe it. I must admit some misgivings, however, when they scored the first two goals in Q2. Then, eight straight. And I did enjoy Bobby’s distribution of the ball so others could score; and his great smile.
This report will be a bit shorter because I’m away from home and we’ve less time between games.
Round 6
Collingwood 17.21.123 defeated Port Adelaide 12.9.81
Match Report : www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/5943#match-report
Coach Interview: www.afl.com.au/video/1112098/full-post-match-r6-magpies?videoId=1112098&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1713597760001.
Goals:
Q1. 3 (us) / 6 (them) leaving us with a 17 Point deficit;
Q2. 6 / 2 quite a remarkable turnaround giving us a HT lead of 12 Points;
Q3. 5 / 2 for a final change surplus of 35 Point; and
Q4. 3 / 2 resulting in a solid Win totalling
Totals: 17 / 12.
Numbers
The following numbers should be treated with extreme caution because they are a record across the whole game. What would be better would be the ability to report Q1, Q2 and the rest. PA demolished us in Q1. We reciprocated in Q2 and then maintained the skill advantage for the rest of the game increasing the lead. However, with some comments, they are interesting:
Disposals: 369 (us) / 319 (them). Included only because of the substantial difference. See CP, below.
Hit Outs: 32 / 40. A bit of a surprise. I thought Cameron did okay; Cox did better as a Forward target,
Clearances: 39 / 33 Centre: 19 / 12; Stoppages – 20 / 21. This difference implies our Mids were sharking the ball, particularly in the Centre. Well done.
Inside 50s: 66 / 47. A really important difference – we got the ball into a scoring position far more frequently than they did. See DE inside 50, below.
Disposal Efficiency: 68.0% / 73.7%. Across the whole game. Not that important. But, see next.
Disposal Efficiency inside 50: 56.1% / 57.4%. This is critical. A team can have a comparable reduced Inside 50 number counteracted with a superior DE number. This was not the case here. We had a much higher number of Inside 50s offset, only marginally, by the DE difference. These are the game-winning statistics.
Marks: 69 / 83. Just a description of how the game was played – individual to individual.
Marks inside 50: 15 / 14. Important as a contributor to DE.
Tackles: 62 / 66. Measure of how hard they were working.
Tackles inside 50: 8 / 13. Also important in terms of DE.
Individual players with DE of 80%: 7 / 9.
Free Kicks: 21 / 21. Whatever. They are still missing too many.
Goals scored: 17 / 12. Says it all, actually.
Your views?
Best. The AFL website identifies the following as the Best: Hoskin-Elliott, De Goey, Cameron, Nick D, Lipinski and Mitchell. I note that I’ve been a bit harsh on some of these, so well done to each. I could be convinced to add Maynard (22 Disposals albeit @ 63.6DE, 8 Marks, 3 Tackles and, most critically, 494 metres gained), Noble (18d @ 88.9% DE, 4m, 3t and 294mG) and Moore (14d @85.7%DE, 5m, 1t and 311 mG). Any comments?
The Game.
As per the acknowledgement above, this game was about pressure. Port applied immense pressure for Q1 and it seemed, we took a while to get going. But, we did, and the game turned around, suddenly and completely. It was a pleasure to see the smiles back.
***
Round 7
Essendon. Anzac Day. Always a ‘biggie’, regardless of Ladder position. It’s the event – the biggest game of the Season except for the Grannie. Believe it.
Thursday, 25 April – Essendon versus Collingwood at the MCG; bounce 3.20pm.
Essendon are sitting 7th on the Ladder with a percentage of 92.7% compared with our position 10th and 97.6%. Current betting is $1.50 for a Pies Win; $2.60 for a Pies Loss.
Them:
Essendon were supposed to be the ‘big mover’ last year. Didn’t happen. This year? Well they’ve had a reasonable start to the Season with four Wins, so far. Like we did looking at Port, their Wins and Losses are not hugely convincing. Their record, so far? Wins over Hawthorn by 24 Points, WB by 29, St Kilda by 4 and, most recently, over Adelaide by 3. The AFL has acknowledged the failure to award a Free at the death in that game was a mistake, so this game should be counted a Loss. Their Losses, in addition to Adelaide, include by 30 Points to Sydney and by 69 Points to Port. Not sure what that means.
Players to watch (based on their games, so far this year):
- Merrett Rover / RR;
- Gresham. FP / CHF
- 3. Martin. HB
- Langford? CHF / FP;
- Caldwell. RR / HF; and
- Durham. HB.
The Essendon 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):
- Team? The addition of Macrae and Allan into the Backline may be useful (but don’t drop Noble) and maybe Begg into the ruck role but I’m not sure who to rest / manage. A couple of taskings, below? Your thoughts?
- Application? Possession of the ball lets you win the match – lose possession and you are fighting backwards. Let’s crank up the motivation and keep it there? Apply as per Q2, last game. 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.
- 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.
- Be happy? Let’s see some chatter. Better each week, but there’s still room for improvement.
Necessary Actions?
- Close attention to their Midfield – tag Merrett (Pendles?);
- Close attention to selected Forwards – Gresham & Langford;
- Win the Midfield battle – use the measures of Clearances and Inside 50s to assess;
- Note the number of kicks or handballs by our team members that are passed directly to an opponent; and
- Enjoy the Win.
Weather. Shower or two are forecast on Match Day and the day before. Boots with stops essential.
TV: Free to Air TV on 7mate.
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 Essendon and working effectively together we should dominate the play and the scoring.
- Collingwood to Win by 31 Points. BOG De Goey – 27 Disposals, 10 Clearances, 2 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?
- R8 – Friday, 3rd 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;
- R9 – Sunday, 12 May – Collingwood versus West Coast at ; bounce at 1.00pm
Other?
- VFL: A close Loss to Coburg last week. They are now sitting 10thon the Ladder.
- R5 – Saturday, 27 April – Collingwood versus Essendon at Victoria Park; bounce at 2.05. Note, this follows immediately after the girls’ game (see below). Remember to send some feedback if you are able to be there and watch.
- VFLW:
- A solid win over Darebin; well done.
- R6 – Saturday, 27thApril – Collingwood versus Essendon at Victoria Park; bounce at 11.00am. Good luck, ladies. See above.
Always believe. Go Pies.
Cam
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