Cam Hooke’s Collingwood Life 2026: Review Round 9 / Preview Round 10

 

Greetings to all, True Believers.

 

That was not a whole lot of fun. We should learn some serious lessons from that game, particularly about never giving up / to fight to the end.

 

We’ve been a bit unlucky in the last two games with key injuries – Perryman, as a counter to Hawthorn’s Wizard, and Moore tying in the team defence. Each is replaceable, though the specific challenge of replacement during the game is acknowledged.

 

Go Pies

Round 9
Geelong v Collingwood
Saturday 9 May 2026
MCG 

 

Round 9 Result:

 

Collingwood 9.14.68 were defeated by Geelong 18.14.122

Scoring shots – 23 (us) / 32 (them). More on that below.

 

Goals scored:

• Q1????????3 (us) / 5 (them). Up and down until they got away with a couple of sequential goals. Check the Timeline and scores at www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/8119 to see the flow of the game. It included that period when we were leading by a whole, single Point – not                             for long. Margin at Quarter time – 11 Points;
• Q2????????2 / 2. Statistically, we Won this Quarter. It included a period when we got very close to Geelong, also only for a short period. First Half scoring reinforced scoring shot accuracy – 5.8 / 7.6. Margin reduced to – 10 Points;
• Q3????????0 / 4. From late in Q2 to very early in Q4 they scored 7 unanswered goals. In Q3 we scored 0.4; not our greatest Quarter of football. Margin at the final break – 32 Points;
• Q4????????4 / 7. The game opened up, each side scoring mor freely; them, more freely than us. We scored 4.0 to their 7.4. See comments below. Final Losing margin 54 Points; and
• Total?????? 9.14 / 18.14. They Won.

 

Match Report – www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/8119.

 

Coach’s Report –  www.afl.com.au/video/1516958/full-post-match-r9-magpies?videoId=1516958&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1778334741001&references=AFL_MATCH:8119.  His discussion of the importance of the defensive system mechanics, and credit to Geelong for usefully countering these, is interesting; as is the impact of the loss of key players mid-game. He very clearly acknowledged the need to get the Centre bounce (actually Centre ball-up) under better control.  Worth watching.

 

Game Statistics

 

Numbers sourced from the AFL website.

 

Statistic	Us / Them	Remarks
Disposals	413 / 427	Includes handball numbers – 191 / 192. Included just to highlight the substantial difference in ball-possession in their favour. Note that the game was close to even to Half Time.
Hit Outs	37 / 26	Remember – Not a factual statistic. Needs HO to advantage. Both Steene and Cameron were impressive but, in my view, Cameron is better used as a forward target or intercepting defender – particularly to augment the talls in Defence following Moore’s removal.
Clearances	35 / 35	Includes 13 / 13 Centre clearances and 22 / 22 stoppage clearances. I simply don’t believe these numbers. Clearance numbers are not recorded by Quarter. While not counting them, their rampant clearances (and goals) in Q4 appeared dominant. Using scoring shots as an indicator reflecting the clearances it is difficult to see this equivalence.
Inside 50s	59 / 52	Also really hard to see as dominance by us. However, a key statistic.
Goals scored	9 / 18	Does not reflects the Clearances or Inside 50s statistics, above. So what else influences things? See DE Inside 50, below.
Disposal Efficiency	71.2% / 74.7%	Not too different but not particularly important. Across the entire game.
Disposal Efficiency Inside 50	49.2% / 57.7%	The other Key statistic. Their substantial domination here of efficiency counters their domination of Inside 50s, resulting in the goals scored difference. See later comments.
Contested Possessions	123 / 126	UCP – 263 / 286. Reflects their marginal ownership of the ball, and hence, the game and their style of play – keep’ens off.
Possession	42% / 43%	Marginal difference.
Marks	101 / 118	Includes Marks inside 50 – 18 / 21.
Tackles	56 / 46	Includes Tackles inside 50 – 13 / 9.
1%’ers	43 / 44	Reflects effort, particularly by Backline. See later comment, below, regarding the strategy applied by the Defensive 6 (or frequently 7).
Individual DE > 80%		Also individual player numbers with DE less than or equal to 60% – 3 / 4. Not too different.
Free Kicks	15 / 11	Again, without counting them, this statistic is hard to believe. Seriously requires clarity regarding the award for ‘caught with the ball’ and ‘incorrect disposal’. While I, and the bulk of the watchers around me, understand the Umpire’s decision rests very much on his / her view of ‘opportunity’, the First Half decision-making was really awful and highly prejudiced against the Pies’ players. My usual criticism of the 50m penalty similarly applies (again).

 

 

The Game

 

We attended the game. The game was really highlighted by the pressure applied by each team. The resulting apparent numbers of skill errors and turnovers was very high. The light rain late in the game didn’t help.

 

The first Half was very close to even with the lead rarely exceeding ‘two kicks’. As identified above, our Q3 scoring was abysmal – 0.6 to 4.4. The hope that we’d fight back was strongly negated with Geelong’s two goals in the first two minutes of Q4. We looked slow and tired as the game wore on. Not sure how accurate this assessment is.

 

I am pleased to report that while a number of Pies’ fans did leave early, this was only a small number.

 

As the Coach reported, the team has a few things to work on (a ‘blinding glimpse of the obvious’ might be an acceptable view of that comment). There is, however, also a real need for some restructuring, particularly but not exclusively regarding the Backline. Some suggested observations:

 

• The kick-in is still not working reliably – plan and execute;
• Close-defence tags are working but the highly aggressive (high risk / high reward) strategy where Defenders push far forward has / had the consequence of leaving Geelong attackers undefended in the context of Midfield dominance and fast ball delivery forward. Good idea, just needs to be balanced with the Midfield success. NickD was tagged out of the game – only 29 Disposals, 4 Tackles, 6 Clearances and 517 metres Gained. Tactics need to be applied to reverse this;
• Avoid the ‘impossible’ kicks at goal. Be willing to pass to a better position; and
• My criticism in the past of Defenders seemingly spoiling each other in packs was not evident. Well done.

 

This was not an enjoyable game to watch, particularly Q3 and Q4.

 

I said last week that the Geelong game and the upcoming Sydney game, in Sydney, will give us a fair guide as to how our season is going. Geelong showed that they are real contenders. We didn’t show anything in that game. Next week is now absolutely critical.

 

Crowd. 83,116. I was a bit disappointed in the crowd. Heavily dominated by Pies’ supporters, there was a pretty engaging approach by those watching.

 

GEELONG                   5.3     7.6     11.10     18.14     (122)
COLLINGWOOD     3.4     5.8     5.14     9.14     (68)

 

GOALS
Geelong: O.Henry 4, Mannagh 3, Close 2, Martin 2, Dangerfield 2, Neale 2, Dempsey, Cameron, Bowes
Collingwood: McStay 3, Buller 2, J.Daicos, Pendlebury, Schultz, Anderson

 

BEST
Geelong: Smith, Holmes, Mullin, Dempsey, Neale, O.Henry
Collingwood: De Goey, Crisp, Pendlebury, J.Daicos, N.Daicos, McStay

 

INJURIES
Geelong: Nil
Collingwood: Moore (concussion)

 

Crowd: 83,166 at the MCG

 

To read all Round 9 match reports click HERE

 

Best: AFL website reporting identified the Best as:

• De Goey;
• Crisp;
• Pendles;
• JoshD;
• NickD; and
• McStay.

 

Coaches’ Votes: Coaches’ votes not out yet. Go to https://www.afl.com.au/news/1517952/coaches-votes-r9-three-way-tie-for-lead-bizarre-split-for-giants-bombers on Monday / Tuesday.

 

I don’t really have any issues with the Best selections though might have included Elliott, with selective statistics, (3 Goal Assists, 7 Score Involvement and 176 Metres Gained), Cameron (1 GA, 4 SI, 3 Clearances and 127 mG) and McCreery (3 Cl, 6 SI and 230 mG). Buller also had a pretty good innings with 2.1 scored and 8 SI. Each had a pretty fair day at the office.

 

Injuries? There are an injury and an offence req2uitring resolution:

 

• Moore – concussion protocol – unavailable for Sydney; and
• Schultz – contact with an umpire – fined / available.

 

VFL Worth a quick look-see regarding the VFL performance www.afl.com.au/vfl/matches/8415, unfortunately a pretty substantial Loss to Geelong at Victoria Park. The Best identified are Swadling (HF), Allan (RR), De Mattia (Centre), West (Forward) and Bobby Hill (also Forward; had a quiet game against Geelong, but was acknowledge the week before as ‘sparkling’). See later comments below.

 

Round 10:

 

Friday, 15 May – Sydney versus Collingwood at the SCG. Ball-up at 7.30pm.

 

Betting: After R9, while Sydney are still favourites, the odds have shortened (slightly) from $3.80 (Pies Win) / $1.27 (Swans Win) to $4.35 / $1.22. reflecting Sydney success and our recent result. As with North’s game against Geelong where they were very competitive to late in Q3, North was even more competitive against Sydney taking them to the last minute, albeit at Marvel finishing Losing by 8 Points. At different times during that game North had led by a substantial score.

 

Following the completion of R9 Sydney are sitting at the top of the Ladder based on their 8 Wins and single Loss and 157.2% percentage. We have slipped to 10^th place based on 4 Wins, 4 Losses and single Draw and 99.9% percentage.

 

Them

 

Sydney Finished the H&A season last year in 10^th place on the Ladder based on 12 Wins, 11 Losses and 97.0% percentage and were excluded from the Finals. They are doing better this year.

 

Their season, so far, is:

 

• OR       Win      versus Carlton             by 63 Points    at the SCG
• R1       Win      Brisbane                      44 Points         SCG
• R2       Loss     Hawthorn                    17 Points         MCG
• R3       Bye
• R4       Win      WCE                           128 Points       Perth
• R5       Win      GC                              32 Points         Adelaide
• R6       Win      GWS                           41 Points         SCG
• R7       Win      WB                              66 Points         Marvel
• R8       Win      Melbourne                   17 Points         SCG
• R9       Win      NM                              8 Points           Marvel

 

So, a fairly impressive results’ list.

 

But there have been challenges. Their last game against North was a very close-run thing. While Sydney are an impressive team, they are not unbeatable.

 

Players to watch:

 

• Grundy – Ruck, ex- Pie;
• Heeney – RR / FP / Centre;
• Mills – CHB;
• Curnow – FF, if available coming off injury;
• Blakey – CHB;
• McCartin – FB, also if available returning from injury;
• Papley – CHF; and
• Jordan – RR / Rover. Likely to be tasked to tag NickD – need to counter.

 

Note the strength of their Best along the corridor, including their Midfield.

 

Us

 

Team. As always, we should always pick the team that best fits our defeat of our opposition. We should seek to run the game we want to from the start, like last week:

 

• Out: Moore (injured), Pendles (managed), plus others from Lipinski, Sidebottom and Steele.?

 

• In, as required: From Swadling (HF), Allan (RR), De Mattia (Midfield), West (Forward), Ryan (Back) and Hill (Forward).

 

Game Plan. Same as always: No changes of substance from past. A couple of points:

 

• Application. Nothing is more important. Attitude is King. Pursuit needs to continue; not stopping when an opponent has passed. Loved Q1 and Q4 last week.

 

• Taggers. Tagging roles might be useful, including an occasional hard lock-down role on their Forwards / Midfield? And protecting our players? That should also be key – watch and protect NickD.

 

• Midfield Management. Pendles’ absence will be significant. Replacement of continuing guidance / on-field coaching to the collective Midfield?

 

• Passing. Accuracy of passes by foot and hand is critical. Remember a misdirected pass resulting in a turnover of the ball gives possession to our opponent, immediately shifting control of the game to them.

 

• Drive. Drive out of the Backline is a key part of our game plan.

 

• Kick-ins are a continuing issue – we still need to have a plan that everyone knows and is able to implement. It is critical because it is the means of maintaining control of the ball, and the game.

 

• Kicking for Goal. This has been hugely improved in recent games. Ball delivery needs to be to the best goal-kicking position. Importantly, scoring a Behind is a waste – for 1 Point you hand over ball-possession to the opposition. It’s not worth it – get the ball into a better position.

 

• Tackles. Still a failing with some opponents spinning out of tackles or brushing off the tackler. This has been one of our strengths and we need to get it back. Love the multiple tacklers.

 

Our Aim? Be happy. Worth reinforcing – our team, yes, we are part of it, everyone, players and supporters, need to get the smile back. Fly reinforced during his post-game interview the place the Fans sit in the game – what the team does is for the fans.

 

Outcome? Collingwood will Win by 19 Points. BOG – De Goey with 39 Disposals @ 81.6% DE, 6 Clearances and 497 metres Gained; Regular Goalkicker – Hill – 4 goals; and welcome back; we missed you.

 

Weather? Light rain is forecast on match day and days leading to it. Expect a slippery ball and surface. Get the old boots with stops out.

 

TV? FTA on 7mate and 7+, as usual on Kayo, Fox Footy, et al.

 

Next. We’ve got a few serious challenges coming up:

 

• Saturday, 23 May versus WCE. Note there is a move afoot – the AFL is considering changing the time of this game. Wait and see;
• Saturday, 30 May versus WB; and
• Monday, 8 June versus Melbourne (King’s birthday).

 

Attendance. We are going to the WCE game. Give me a call?

 

Reporting. Now I know some of you went to the last game. Look forward to your reporting Please? And Reports from TV-watchers are equally welcome? I find it useful to listen to the commentators (prefer Kayo to FTA) who (mostly) know more about the game than we, mortals. Reports?

 

Other. Any feedback? Anything else?

 

Never Lose confidence. This is our year. Go Pies.

 

Cam