Cam Hooke’s Collingwood Life 2026: Round 3 – Preview Collingwood v GWS

 

Hi, True Believers, all.

 

An interesting perspective presented by Matthew Lloyd on the AFL Access show at www.afl.com.au/video/1483700/access-honestly-im-so-tired-lloyds-plea-to-bombers-with-no-passion-no-intent?videoId=1483700&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1774213219001 on the changes to the game. He considers it faster, both in general play, but most significantly in the rebound. He considers a critical difference is the lack of congestion, everywhere. He and his co-host Damo Barrett considered some teams, currently performing poorly, lacked passion, based on confidence and belief. But he does lament, and blame for injuries, pre-season commitments from January plus State of Origin. The show identified seven major hamstring injuries across the competition, so far. He did reinforce that the competition is approaching Round 3, not Rounds 15 or 16. There is a way to go.

 

I watched some of the games over the weekend. Even though Sydney lost, I consider both Sydney and Hawthorn played magnificent ‘clean’ football. The Bulldogs managed their game extraordinarily well. Both our next opponent, the Giants, and the team that beat them last weekend, St Kilda, didn’t play particularly well, though GWS recovered with 3 goals to close the losing margin to 4 Points. More on this below.

 

Your views?

 

Game

Friday, 27 March Collingwood versus GWS Giants at the MCG; ball-up at 7.40pm.

 

This is between teams currently placed 9^th on the Ladder (1 Win, 1 Loss with a 98.7% percentage) and 13th (1 Win, 2 Losses with a 81.1% percentage) – not really too significant, yet. Betting? We are the favourites, reasonably substantially, $1.54 (Pies’ Win) / $2.50 (Giants’ Win).

 

Recent background. GWS and the Pies have had an interesting recent history. We started the last two Seasons with substantial Losses to GWS in the OR games each at Engie Stadium by 32 Points (2024) and 52 Points (2025). I dislike Engie Stadium nearly as much as I dislike Marvel Stadium.  We attended each of these games, resulting in great disappointment at our performance and pessimism about the future. Of course, we wrecked GWS’s pursuit of a Grannie in the Preliminary Final in 2023, when we Won by 1 Point. Nearly all of our Best in that game are still at the Club, except for Cox. I have taken account of their Best in these games identified below. Be in no doubt the Giants will be highly motivated given the history. We should be similarly prepared.

 

Them

 

GWS have started the Season with a solitary Win over Hawthorn in OR by 27 Points at Engie Stadium (noting the Hawthorn game against Sydney last weekend was very different) and two Losses, by 81 Points against WB at Marvel and a somewhat closer Loss against St Kilda by 4 Points also at Engie Stadium.

 

Game. In those games they Lost, there was an absence of pressure / desperation in all of the R1 game and much of the R2 game. In their most recent game their ball-use and accuracy in front of Goal were also poor. As examples of some coaching flexibility, in the R1 game Ash, an All Australian HB, was shifted into the Midfield for much of the 2H. Note their Q4 recovery, very close to a Win last weekend. Their ‘continue to fight’ should be noted.

 

Their Best has been a bit flexible. A number of players have been recorded in their Best in two of their games, so far. No-one has made all three listings.

 

Players to watch:

 

Greene – FP. Team Captain; major contributor in Metres gained and Clearances; poor Disposal Efficiency applied to Disposals; capable of turning a game. An All Australian. He has been moved to the Midfield on occasion. Might warrant tagging / close defence, even if for a limited period, just to excite him;

 

Callaghan – Rover – major contributor in Metres gained, Clearances  and Score involvement;

 

Himmelberg – BP – Sound defender with very high Disposal Efficiency and Intercept Possessions (and Score Involvement, not sure why);

 

Ash – Also an All Australian HB – HB, usually, noting the above comment.

 

Oliver – Centre. A recent arrival, has produced variable performances so far. Has produced results in Clearances and Disposals, and surprisingly Intercept Possessions. May need to be tagged;

 

Briggs – Ruck. Major contributor in Clearances. Has been assessed as using a ‘physical style’ of rucking. Not sure what that means – will watch carefully; and

 

Gothard – new, Forward. Not listed in Best, but getting some specific mentions

 

The interesting thing here is that, apart from Greene (and Gothard), I haven’t identified any Forwards. The focus here is very much on their Midfield. Win the Midfield Battle, Win the War. Note that Green, one of their stars last year, is injured, out for the Season.

 

Us

 

Team. We are in the early days of the season and should always pick the team that best fits our opposition – note the comments above regarding tagging / close defence and the comments following our Loss to Adelaide a couple of weeks ago – much of this is repeated in that email. We should seek to run the game we want to from the start.

 

Outs: Frampton, McStay and Lipinski.

 

Ins: Moore, Howe and from Cochran and Steene.

 

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.

 

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 Greene and respond appropriately.

 

Midfield Management. Pendles continuing guidance / on-field coaching to the collective Midfield remains critical.  His delayed onto the field has been a terrific innovation.

 

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 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 pretty good but players need to consider and apply the willingness to pass the ball inside the 50. The key players with the ability to kick the hard goal is laudable, but not always successful. 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 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.

 

Outcome? Collingwood will Win by 31 Points. BOG – De Goey (matching his performance as BOG, Prelim Final, 2023) – 34 Disposals at 91.00% DE, 7 Clearances, 4 Tackles and 513 mG. Lead goalkicker – Elliott – 4 Goals. Honourable mention – Maynard – 18 Disposals, against Greene – 7 Disposals, no goals and reported for dangerous tackle on Maynard.

 

Weather? Very light rain is forecast on match day following heavier falls on Tuesday and Wednesday in the week leading to the game. Expect a slippery ball and surface. Get the old boots with stops out.

 

TV? Free to air on 7 and 7+. As usual on Kayo, Fox Footy, et al.

 

Crisis. While I don’t consider Pendles did anything wrong in that contact, I was pleased the Club stood up for him, and with the final outcome.

 

Next:

 

Round 4 – Thursday, 2^nd April Brisbane versus Collingwood at the Gabba; ball-up at 7.30pm;

 

Round 5 – Friday, 10^th April Collingwood versus Freo at Adelaide Oval; ball-up at 7.40pm; and

 

Round 6 – Thursday, 16^th April Carlton versus Collingwood at the MCG; ‘ball-up’ at &.30pm.

 

Reporting? Please report, even if you are watching from home? And let us know if you are going. Hope to see some of you at games in the future?

 

Other?

 

‘Bobby’ is back at training. Watch this space.

 

Game preparations. A while back (several years) one of our members reported his preparations at home before watching a game. These included dress and banners appropriate to the occasion. I found the same challenge when preparing to attend the recent Adelaide game. What hat should I wear – the latest one, or something else. I have a great head dress with flowing dangling locks, but am not allowed to wear it (appropriate for a small child, apparently). Too hot for a beanie and you need to have a cap in case you are looking into the sun. My choice – my 2019 Members’ cap emblazoned with the word ‘FOREVER’ across the front. At first sight, only other Pies’ supporters recognise it. Of course, the date looks like 2079, in my view anyway. Do you have a favourite?

 

This is our year; still believe! Always believe; never, ever give up! Go Pies.

 

Cam

 

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