Cam Hooke’s Collingwood Life 2026: Round 5 Review/Round 6 Preview

 

Hi all

 

I’m sending this for Cam, as he was having Wi-Fi issues up here in Armidale.

 

I have two things to add, having just read his missive below. ?

 

1)  Yes, they Lost, and it was hugely frustrating, given the opportunities to score that just didn’t cut it. But it was also great watching OUR team play again after last week’s shambles. My lovely friend Janet (yes, in this group!) commented to me after the game that she hates that we are so dependent on our ‘stars’. I agreed but added that when the stars are there, the whole team lifts and all are better at doing their thing. Last night’s game backed me on this: they Lost, but they were largely back to doing their thing!

 

2) My cousin is a committed Carlton supporter (c’mon, every family has its black sheep!). His prediction for next week’s game is that Carlton will win the first half by 7 goals, but then spend the 2^nd half ‘making the sandwiches’ and resting on their laurels. He predicted Pies to win by a lot. Works for me!

 

Go Pies!

 

Krista

 

Over to Cam:

 

 

Well, that was not a great result. Regardless of the awful weather conditions, we should have Won this one comfortably. And the numbers, broadly, predicted that outcome. More below.

 

A bit shorter email today. We’re in Armidale, well away from my usual computer. So, apologies. Add anything needed in your replies.

 

Collingwood 5.9.39 were defeated by Fremantle 7.3.45.

 

Scoring shots: 14 (us) / 10 (them). Not sure what this comparison indicates.

 

Goals scored:

Q1           1 (us) / 1 (them). A fight all the way. Margin + 1 Point;

Q2          2 / 1. As above. Margin  +9 Points;

Q3           2 / 3. As above, even though they seemed to be in charge. Margin reduced to + 4 Points, but still our lead;

Q4           0 / 2. A turnaround based on errors by our players, mistakes and / or chance. Final margin – 6 Points; and

Total        5 / 7. And they Won with a final margin of 6 Points.

 

Match Report – www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/8076#match-report.

 

Coach’s Report – www.collingwoodfc.com.au/video/1993351/we-did-enough-to-win-this-game-mcrae?videoId=1993351&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1775830560001. Addresses the link between the Collingwood team DNA in difficult conditions and the decision-making to manage the specific moments. Worth watching.

 

Game Statistics

I’m going to focus on only those statistics of significance. Note the distinctions, or lack thereof:

 

Hit outs – 27 / 47. Not Hit Outs to Advantage.

 

Clearances – 30 / 34 including Centre Clearances – 5 / 8 and Stoppage Clearances – 25 / 26. Not too dissimilar;

 

Inside 50s – 61 / 45. A killer comparison that should have led to significant scoring dominance;

 

Disposal Efficiency inside 50 – 23.0% / 24.4%. Collingwood reportedly ( AFL website) will rue a game that they tactically had the upper hand, managing upwards of 60% time on ground in each of the first three quarters. Ultimately, it was their 27% kick inside 50 retention rate in the first term – during a period of statistical dominance – that will be seen as the most costly factor in their loss;

 

Marks – 101 / 81 including 10 / 5 Marks inside 50. Indicative;

 

Tackles – 92 / 63 including 26 / 7 Tackles inside 50. Indicative of the effort; and

 

Free Kicks – 19 / 14. Always hard to believe.

 

The Game. This was a disappointing game. We were dominant for the majority of Q1 – Q3 but lacked the ability to put the scores on the board. And Q4  they didn’t play better than us, but they took advantage of our ‘stuff-ups’ – two at absolutely critical times.

 

Best:

NickD, Frampton, Crisp, Maynard, Quaynor and Schultz. No particular comments. I’ve been critical of Frampton reasonably regularly, and I did not like his mis-kick at the death resulting in their goal, but, generally, he did well. It reinforces my suggestion that his performance is most influenced by the role he is given.

 

 

 

Next:

 

Thursday, 16^th April  Carlton play Collingwood at the MCG; ball-up at 7.30pm. The ‘olde enemy’.

 

I’ve been waiting for this. Both sides are not doing that well. Carlton are sitting 16^th on the Ladder with one Win from five games and a 78.6% percentage. Our 11^th place is based on two Wins from five games and a 92.3% percentage. We are the Favourites $1.49 (Pies’ Win) over $2.64 (Blues’ Win). Both sides have produced outstanding sequences of play, without applying for the whole game. See more below.

 

Them

Carlton have had a pretty rotten start to the Season. Their Losses against Sydney (in Sydney), Melbourne, North and Adelaide (in Adelaide) have all been by substantial margins. Their sole Win, against Richmond was achieved with the margin of 4 Points. A few of these could be written down as appropriate given the opponent. So, Carlton have produced moments of greatness, without any sustained effort for four Quarters.

 

Players to watch:

Walsh –

Cripps – Captain. All Australian and WA SoO team member. May warrant a tag.

Pittonet –

Weitering – FB. Missed the last game because of concussion protocols. All Australian and Victorian SoO team member. Will be a serious absence if not available.

McKay – FF. Needs close defender. Frampton?

 

Us.

Game Plan?

 

Need improvement in each area:

 

Midfield. Link NickD and Long seeking to enhance the clearances. Note absence of De Goey. Tag Cripps?

 

Forwards. Need Forwards to link with each other to give the ball to the best placed kicker. Cameron is a great forward target.

 

Backs. Get a ‘kick-in’ plan to keep control of the ball. Close defence of McKay.

 

Manning?

 

Replacement for De Goey? Your suggestions?

 

No other changes.

 

Result.

Collingwood will Win by 43 Points. BOG – NickD with 37 touches @ 89.0% DE. Goals – Elliott (4).

 

Weather: Light rain is forecast – slip sliding the standard. Get the old boots out.

 

TV. Not yet available. Check the Internet. Expect the game to be on FTA and Kayo

 

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

 

Cam

 

 

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