Cam Hooke’s Collingwood Life: AFL 2023 – Rounds 8 & 9 – Go Pies

 

Hi all. A great result based on an interesting game.

 

Round 8

 

Collingwood 11.11.77 defeated Sydney 6.12.48.

 

Goals scored by Quarter:

 

  • Q1       3 (us) / 1 (them) Giving us a 15 Point lead at the first change;
  • Q2       1 / 4. Which they turned into an eight Point deficit for us by HT;
  • Q3       2 / 0. Which we, then, turned into a five Point lead at the final change;
  • Q4       5 / 1. Encompassing a further 24 Points to finish 29 Points ahead; and
  • Total:  11 / 6. We Won.

 

Match Report: www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/4854#summary.

 

Coach’s Report: www.afl.com.au/video/921742/full-post-match-r8-magpies?videoId=921742&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1683449146001&references=AFL_MATCH:4854. Worth watching / listening. His comment regarding playing chess against his father; encouraging thought two moves ahead is interesting.

 

Numbers: Now I’ve whinged a bit about not having the Quarter by Quarter numbers. Well this week I have them, rocking off my couch watching the TV (actually Kayo) to record the numbers Quarter by Quarter at each break, so some numbers, and comments:

 

Statistic Q1 – QT Q2 – HT Q3 – 3/4T Q4 – FT TOTAL Comment
Hit Outs 46 (us) / 19 (them) Not really important but shows the Cox return and the growing competence of Frampton in the role.
Clearances 9 / 5 9 / 10 7 / 5 10 / 10 35 / 30 Critical, particularly early on. What we failed to do was turn the Clearance and Inside 50 dominance into Goals scored.
Inside 50s 21 / 8 8 / 15 13 / 10 14 / 11 56 / 44 Q1 set the scene. Anyone here not screaming at the game as they repeated entries to the 50 without scoring? Overall it was a dominant display of the important step flowing on from the Clearance advantage.
Goals Scored 3 / 1 1 / 4 2 / 0 5 / 1 11 / 6 Comment, as above. We wasted a lot of opportunities. Then again, Q4 scoring does not match the Clearance and Inside 50 equivalent statistics. Thankfully.
Disposal Efficiency 65.2% / 70.1% 63.5% / 74.2% 66.9% / 76.3% 68.3% / 75.0% This assessment is at the end of the period; not specifically for the Quarter (except for Q1, of course) but a collective figure for the game to that point. Sydney held a pretty substantial lead throughout. But next?
DE Inside 50 33.3% / 62.5% 34.5% / 60.9% 35.7% / 51.5% 41.1% / 45.5% As above. Very ordinary early on when compared with theirs. The shift between Q2, Q3 and Q4 highlights our improvement and their overall ‘game reduction’ so the impact of Q4 DE numbers in that Quarter must have been significant.
Tackles Inside 50 22 / 6 Reflecting the team’s application. Well done.
Marks Inside 50 13 / 12
Uncontested Possessions 195 / 294 The Uncontested Possessions and Marks demonstrates that Sydney was playing ‘keep’ens off’ football. Very boring for the majority of the time; importantly hard to defend against – requires one on one defensive measures.
Marks 72 / 132
Contested Marks 9 / 12 Take these numbers off the total Marks number – minor influence.
Contested Possessions 138 / 129 Important as a measure of control of the game.
Disposals 354 / 432 Can be interesting, however is influenced by their ‘keep’ens off’ football.
1%’ers 52 / 45 Critical Backline spoiling measure.
Free Kicks 7 / 3 4 / 2 6 / 3 7 / 2 24 / 10 These numbers are hard to believe. Once again my criticism would relate to the non-awarding of Frees, which don’t turn up in the statistics, of course. The non-award of a Free to Jack in Q4 was mirrored with a Free, resulting in a goal, to a Sydney player 10 minutes later.
Score 3.5.23 / 1.2.8 1.1.7 / 4.6.30 2.3.15 / 0.2.2 5.2.32 / 1.2.8 11.11.77 / 6.12.48 Sydney helped us hugely by missing regularly ‘easy’ shots.

 

Best: The AFL website identifies Pendles, Quaynor, Mihocek, N.Daicos, and Mitchell. Great to have Pendles back. He wanders through the game (mostly) seemingly in slow-motion, unaffected by the opposition – I love it. I would suggest Pendles be considered for Captain of the All Australian team. Your thoughts? Wouldn’t argue with the list; nearly everyone had their moment to contribute; certainly Noble (21 Disposals, 403 metres Gained, 6 Intercept Possessions, 3 Score Involvement, 8 Contested Possessions and 3 Total Clearances) and De Goey (17 D, 106mG, 3 IP, 9 SI, 11 CP and 6 TC) had good days in the office.

 

Game. A great result based on outstanding Q1 and Q4. Quite simply, Q1 didn’t reflect changes to the scoreboard; Q4 didn’t reflect the statistics, but did affect the scoreboard. The Midfield did well, with Cox back but still using Frampton, who seems to be growing in that role, and Mitchell and Pendles clearing. De Goey, also played a huge role in the Clearances. Forwards – too many kicks to packs, but generally good crumbing around them. Backs – outstanding, as usual, all contributed with occasional targets let loose.

 

Injuries. Adams (ankle)? Krueger?

 

Booing / Physically Monstering Players. I don’t like booing much. Like our coach, we have tried to raise our kids to avoid booing and to recognise and applaud the positives of play, by both sides. I see the booing as nothing personal, just trying to put the player off his stroke, interesting only when the collective is close to 70,000 voices. I suspect it rarely works – do you really think Buddy would have even noticed? And how useful would be directions seeking to ban it? Apparently it’s not okay to Boo, but is okay to ‘physically monster’ a young, 2nd year player – Sydney coach, get real / wake up. And if the specific evidence arose of a direction to his players, the AFL should take immediate action. Well done, team, but especially Maynard, for taking appropriate action. Views?

 

Deductions / Lessons? General application was fantastic, though it seemed to go in some cycles – not 100% all the time. In an outstanding Q1 we dominated the game hugely, everywhere except on the scoreboard. Not sure how to fix that. We must always be delivering the ball to a leading Forward, minimizing the pack-mark mentality. Sydney’s style of playing ‘keep’ens off’ football means we have to be prepared to tighten our defence and pursue a one on one arrangement. All important usual offenders – hold the tackles, commit to the competition and never, ever give up. All, well done. Your comments?

 

Round 9

 

Collingwood plays GWS at the MCG on Sunday, 7 May; bounce at 3.20pm.

 

This game is between 1st (us) and 13th (them) on the Ladder.

 

Them:

I attended the GWS versus WB game on Saturday night at Manuka. WB won fairly easily (‘The Bont’ had a great game), though GWS did come back at them strongly for part of Q4. In broad terms, my assessment of GWS was competitive Midfield, competent Backline, but missing processes and talent up Forward. Why is this important? Well, Toby Greene – Captain, Forward, was withdrawn from the team shortly before the game. When you look at his influence in GWS’ win over Sydney the week before (and every other game he has played) you can see his presence has a huge influence on the team’s performance.

 

Game Plan? GWS played out of the Centre with very little drive out of their Backline. From the Midfield (see the list of players to watch, below, – very Midfield focussed) they used the Wings frequently, directly only occasionally. Their avenue to goal was mostly kicks towards the goal square. Rarely were Forward marks achieved. Toby Greene was badly missed.

 

Significance / Players to Watch?

 

  • Toby Greene – FP – if playing;
  • Green – Centre;
  • Kelly – RR; and
  • Coniglio – Rover.

 

Watch also: Himmelberg – CHF. I rate him.

 

Roles?

 

  • Very close defence on Greene;
  • Tag Green; and
  • Watch for attempts to tag our players / implement counter-tagging plan.

 

Us:

 

No new injuries? I’m not sure much needs to change:

 

  • Team? Minimal change. Ruck – Cox & Frampton. Anyone need resting? See detail from VFL below. Your choices?

 

  • Application? No change. Application for four full Quarters. Hold the tackles. Establish and maintain control of the game (possessions).

 

  • 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.

 

My Picks: Collingwood to Win by 37 Points. BOG – N. Daicos with 43 Disposals, 8 Clearances, 10 Inside 50s, 3 Tackles and 2 Goals. Hill, Jack & Mihocek each get two goals.

 

Ground Reports. Loved the Reports from attendees. Let’s see some reporting, please, from those who couldn’t attend but watched the game on TV – all views are welcome. Do we have any people going? Could you report please?

 

Weather. Weather forecast dry and sunny both on the days and leading up to the game. Moulded sole boots okay.

 

TV:     Kayo or FOXTEL – Best for every game.

 

No Free to Air TV. Head to the pub to watch.

 

Future:

 

  • Round 10 – Sunday, 21 May at the MCG – Carlton versus Collingwood; bounce at 3.20pm. FTA TV coverage;
  • Round 11 – Sunday, 28 May at Marvel – Collingwood versus North Melbourne; bounce at 3.20pm. FTA coverage; and
  • The Ladder. Keep an eye on the Ladder as we approach the midpoint of the Season (yes, still a couple of weeks off) leading to some big moves on the Ladder. Your thoughts?

 

Other:

 

  • VFL – Last week, we Lost by 24 Points to Williamstown. Next week we play GWS at the AIA Centre on Sunday, 14 May; bounce a 11.05am. Any locals who might attend? I’d welcome a view on how Steene and Begg are performing? Begg was identified as contributing with 22 Hit Outs, 11 Disposals, 7 Clearances and 6 Inside 50s. His principal opponent, however, Downie had 63 HO, 20 D and 12 C. Context?
  • And is the Tasmanian team a new team or a relocation? Can anyone tell me? Want some suggestions as to which team(s) should move out of Melbourne?
  • Eddie? Have you seen Eddie’s suggestion regarding GWS and GC playing locations? Go towww.dailymail.co.uk/sport/afl/article-12035223/Eddie-McGuire-reveals-radical-plan-two-AFL-teams-stop-playing-games-Melbourne.htmlThoughts?
  • Anything that you would like to inform our members of, just Reply to all or send it to me.

 

Believe always. Go Pies.

 

Cam

 

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