Cam Hooke’s Collingwood Life 2026: Round 3 Review and Round 4 Preview

 

Hey, all True Believers. A more positive basis for review after last Friday night.

 

But first, a couple of ‘newbies’. Welcome Amanda (and your mum, Kirsty) and Peter. Amanda and her mum are ‘died in the wool’ Pies’ supporters who accosted me when they noticed the Pies’ logo on my shirt. We had an excellent detailed discussion about the Season a few days before our Giants’ game. Peter is part of the Editorial mafia at the Footy Almanac, so I’m not sure who he supports? Regardless, this is just a bit of fun amongst our True Believer Pie-supporting family, with a couple of names added for family (relatives) reasons. We welcome everyone’s views and encourage comments. We look forward to your engagement. We value your commitment.

 

Everyone, that makes 78. Still want to make it 100. Some more?

 

More importantly, I’d welcome some reporting and / or engagement. I won’t be the least offended with alternate views or challenges. Let’s get interacting.

 

Game

 

Friday, 27 March Collingwood 13.9.87 defeated GWS Giants 7.12.54 at Marvel Stadium.

 

Scoring shots – 22 (us) / 19 (them). The pressure applied by each Backline imposed serious limits on effective scoring, though based on my usual expectation of equal numbers of Goals and Behinds scored, we did okay. And I didn’t count the OoBotF, of which there were a lot by both teams. See later comments below.

 

Goals scored:

 

Q1       5 (us) / 2 (them). A positive start by us, particularly by our Forwards (well, Membrey and Schultz’s couple in the first few minutes, followed by Membrey’s other pair and McStay’s (more on him later)). Their kicking let them down hugely and let us off – they kicked 5 Behinds in Q1. In Q1 we kicked 5 Goals and 1 Behind; they kicked 2 Goals and 5 Behinds – a significant waste of Inside 50s. Of course, our reconstituted Backline had a substantial influence (also see below regarding this due to Moore’s injury). And there was Steene – what an appearance? Margin +14 Points;

Q2       1 / 2. Up and down. Moore and Pendles went off for periods. They reduced our margin to +9 Points;

Q3       3 / 1. Pendles didn’t come back. Moore was seriously limited. The start of the end for them. Again, they were hugely wasteful kicking when looking at Scoring shots in Q3 – they scored 1 Goal and 4 Behinds against our 3 Goals and 2 Behinds. Margin back out to +19 Points;

Q4       4 / 2. Solid dominance resulting in the Final Margin +33 Points; and

Total    13 / 7. We Won against a spirited opponent noting their huge list of absentees. Note for the future

 

Match Report. www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/8064

 

Coach’s Comments. www.afl.com.au/video/1485296/full-post-match-r3-magpies?videoId=1485296&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1774616030001&references=AFL_MATCH:8064. Worth watching / listening to. Fly can be a little understated at times – his statement that “it was a nice result” doesn’t actually say much. Importantly for all of us, he highlighted that he wanted the team to be risk-takers, noting that taking risks means that you won’t always be successful (or right). He also emphasised his desire that the team play to the very last minute. He also acknowledged the short break until the next game. See more on that below. An interesting descriptive term he used to describe the Giants’ game plan – “tsunami handball game”. See numbers, below, confirming that.

 

Statistics:

 

Statistic	Quantity	Remarks
Disposals (D)	363 (us) / 425 (them)	Includes Handballs – 152 / 200 supporting Fly’s ‘tsunami’ description. Not too much else from this difference.
Hit Outs (HO)	37 / 23	Well done, Steene. Importantly this is NOT the HO to Advantage that team staff would record. By itself, this is really who touched the ball first. Where it goes, importantly, relates to the ‘advantage’ score.
Clearances (Clr)	30 / 32	Includes 12 / 12 Centre clearances and 18 / 20 Stoppage clearances. So, regardless of the HO dominance we have a broad equivalence in Clearances. I usually see this as a first-order measure of the Midfield effectiveness. Probably a pretty fair measure between the two Midfields.
Inside 50s (I50)	50 / 58	This should be, broadly, a flow-on of the Clearance difference. It is, broadly.
Goals scored	13 / 7	You would expect with similar numbers of Clearances and similar numbers of entries into a goal-kicking position (under Inside 50s) reasonably similar scoring. Not the case.
Disposal Efficiency (DE)	76.3% / 79.5%	Across the whole game.
DE I50	46.0% / 41.4%	The difference here, based on similar entries to goal-kicking positions, is the factor impacting on goals scored. This difference reflects the match-winning difference between the teams.
Team members with DE 80%	10 / 11	These numbers reflect the number of team members who are producing passes at an adequate level – 80% was arbitrarily chosen in the absence of anything else. Happy to be challenged.
Contested Possessions (CP)	119 / 114	Combined with Tackle numbers and 1%’ers, below, these numbers can give an indication of application.
Possession	42% / 45%	Across the whole game.
Marks	104 / 124	Includes 15 / 15 Marks inside 50 and 14 / 7 Contested Marks. Numbers of marks and tackles inside 50 give some advantage to the goal scoring. The equivalence here regarding Marks is indicative of no advantage. There is some advantage in Tackles, below.
Tackles	45 / 39	Includes 10 / 13 Tackles inside 50; explanation above.
1%’ers	43 / 40	Spoils, punches, smothers, etc frequently exploited by the Backline.
Free Kicks	16 / 12	It is difficult to challenge this from a broad perspective. It appeared players doing something wrong were ‘pinged’ except for the 50m penalties. They are, now, almost a guaranteed Goal. The reasons behind the award are rarely clear or understood. Need to sit down with the Umps and clarify where we are going wrong.

 

Best:

 

The AFL website lists the Best as:

NickD. He was everywhere; a quite extraordinary performance, especially in the 2H. Lesson – need for four Q game performance;

Membrey. Provided a key target – 4 is a solid day’s work at the office. Credit needs to reflect the GA ball deliverers;

Frampton. I’ve been a critical of Frampton late last year and more recently. I am nothing if not fair. He shut down the Giants major scorer, Hogan. Disposals – 15 Frampton) / 4 (Hogan); 204 / 97 metres Gained; 0 Goals scored (by either) and Frampton had 8 Intercept Possessions. He deserved his place on the list. Perhaps, importantly, it emphasises the importance of the role he is given. Coaches, note;

JoshD. Good, as usual;

Crisp. And good too; and

Steene. For nearly the first time since Grundie’s departure the Team matched the Hit Out numbers. Steene was a pleasure to watch in the Centre. With a great subsequent contested mark and Goal. Well done. Keep it up.

 

I don’t have a problem with any of those identified. Like always, I’d suggest a couple of additions:

Sidebottom – 31 D, 6 Cl and 473 mG;

Houston – 18 D, 0 Clr and 454 mG.

 

The Coaches frequently have a different view, based I presume, on the specific roles players are given. The results relating to our game:

 

NickD – 10 votes;

JoshD – 4;

Frampton – 3;

Crisp – 2;

Sidebottom – 2; and

Membrey – 1.

 

Interesting, the exclusion of Steene, reduction of Membrey’s contribution and inclusion of Sidebottom. What do you think?

 

The Game?

 

A solid, and abrupt, start with Membrey’s and Schultz’s goals in the first three minutes set the scene for most of the rest of the game. Go to the Match Timeline at www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/8064#summary to see the progress. Membrey was magnificent in Q1, but the key contributors were the deliverers. That said, Steene’s contested mark early in Q3 is indicative of a successful ‘up and under’ delivery – see later comments about movement of the ball inside the 50. What was also fantastic? Steene. Just how high can this kid jump? It was a pleasure at each ‘ball-up’ watching his performance. That said, the balance of Clearance numbers means that his ‘touches’ were not necessarily ‘HO to Advantage’ and the Midfield were being held by their opponents.

 

The Match Timeline is pretty indicative of the game’s progress. Q2 was reasonably balanced, technically Won by the Giants, and Greene’s goal early in Q3 (before NickD’s and Steene’s) reduced the margin to a single kick. This was of some concern. What followed, started with NickD’s and Steene’s goals was a succession of five unanswered goals well into Q4. This domination of the game demonstrated the management of the game by Collingwood, even in spite of the loss of Moore (effective loss) and Pendles, both major contributors to the way the team plays.

 

The Best, above, is a pretty fair representation of the contributors. A couple of manning comments:

 

I’m not sure where Long was playing. The plan, using him as a ball-gatherer in conjunction with NickD, seemed to work late last year. I hadn’t noticed a change of approach this year;

 

I do support McCreery moving into the Midfield, but not at Long’s expense;

 

Howe was okay for a first game back;

 

If McStay retains his position in the Forward line, noting his two goals, he needs to present himself as a leading option; and

 

We need another tall to replace Moore.

 

The Giants’ played the game based on ‘keep’ens off’, shown in their domination of uncontested possessions (UCP) – 232 (us) / 306 (them) and Marks -104 / 124. Collingwood lost the Territory Battle – scored in Inside 50s – 50 / 58, Disposals inside 50 (not recorded in numbers in AFL website but in article text) – 50 / 62 and Disposals 362 / 425 but we still Won. Partly I see this as a consequence of our significant lead in Disposal Effectiveness inside the 50 and the more marginal deficiencies related to those statistics we Lost.

 

Miscreants. I note the reporting of McCreery and Long. Both have been given fines.

 

It was a great Win against a pretty committed opponent.

 

Crowd at Marvel – 41,607. Were any of you there? Reports please?

 

Next:

 

Round 4 – Thursday, 2^nd April – Brisbane Lions versus Collingwood at the Gabba; ‘ball-up’ at 7.30pm AEDT. Note that Daylight Saving ends this weekend, but not before our game.

 

This game is between a pair of sides with an interesting recent history. In 2023 we Won the GF against them. They chucked us out of the Finals at last years Prelim Final.

 

This is between us currently placed 7^th on the Ladder (2 Wins, 1 Loss with a 114.6% percentage) and them, placed 13^th (1 Win, 2 Losses with a 94.6% percentage) – not really too significant noting my comments below about their games this Season. Betting? Brisbane are the favourites, reasonably substantially, $1.42 (BL’s Win) / $2.90 (Pies’ Win). Not sure why.

 

Them

 

Brisbane are, of course, current Premiers. We were competitive, but had a bad day against Brisbane at last year’s Preliminary Final. Brisbane, particularly at home, are a very talented team. They have only lost a couple of players from this List, notably for Pies’ supporters, Starcevich, moving west. They’ve had an interesting start to this Season, including:

 

OR       Lost to WB by 5 points. I consider the WB the current standard. As such this performance by Brisbane could be seen as positive;

R1       Lost to Sydney at the SCG. I also consider Sydney, particularly at home (and Hawthorn, who beat them there) as key performers, so the above comment applies;

R2       Bye; and

R3       Win by 33 points over St Kilda.

 

So, Brisbane are a highly capable team, particularly at home. That said, we have beaten them at the Gabba before and, of course, they have beaten us at the G.

 

Go to www.afl.com.au/matches/injury-list. They will be missing a number of key team-members:

 

McLuggage (?);

Answerth;

Gardiner; and

Andrews.

 

Game Plan.

 

Their Best has also 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. The list, below, is indicative of their general focus on the Midfield, with excerptions Forward and Back. The important lesson for us here, in the absence of much useful information, is to seek to play the game the way we want; not in response to them.

 

Players to watch: Based on the Season’s games plus our Preliminary Final last year:

 

Neale – Rover;

Zorko – Halfback;

Dunkley – RR;

McLuggage – Wing / Midfield. Very important, he’s a Test before this game;

Wilmot – HB; and

W. Ashcroft – Rover.

 

Also, not frequently included in their Best , watch Charlie Cameron, HF, but capable of turning a game very quickly with a couple of goals.

 

Us

 

Team. We are in the early days of the season and should always pick the team that best addresses 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.

 

Also worth a quick browse of the VFL side performance, noting individuals’ performances – go to www.collingwoodfc.com.au/news/1982142/vfl-match-report-youngsters-impress-as-giants-pip-the-pies:

 

Outs: Moore, Pendles, McStay and Lipinski.

 

Ins: Cochran, Swadling, Ryan and Allan.

 

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.

 

Midfield Management. Who to do?

 

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 – NickD – 33 Disposals at 87.00% DE, 8 Clearances, 3 Tackles and 480 mG. Lead goalkicker – Elliott – 4 Goals.

 

Weather? A shower or two are forecast on the days leading to the game and on game day. 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.

 

Next:

 

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 7.30pm.

 

Reporting? Do we have anyone in Brisbane? 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 as advised last week. Nothing to add. Anyone attended training and can report? Please?

 

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

 

Cam

 

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