Cam Hooke’s Collingwood Life: Round 1 Review – Round 2 Preview
G’day all.
Firstly a big ‘family’ welcome to another James, our latest addition. And many thanks for fixing my electrics, mate. I’ll be able to watch games on TV now; much appreciated. This is just a bit of fun. You are in amongst family so any views are welcome. I haven’t heard from too many; c’mon people, let’s hear some comments. Please?
Secondly, thanks to Sal, Matt and Wayne for their outstanding, comprehensive and very quick briefs. I’ve been travelling all day over the weekend and only got to my computer last night. Apologies. What a fantastic achievement. And what a way to start the season. And in front of 86,595 people (I thought I heard someone – AFL / Ticketek – say that it had been sold out?). I agree whole-heartedly with each comment from the criticism of the umpires (weren’t the bounces terrible?) to the contempt for ‘the experts’ assessing our chances of making the Eight this year. I loved Moore’s tackle – yes, very reminiscent of Heater’s a few years back, the settling effect of Pendles’ arrival in the middle of the ground off the bench, and the quite extraordinary speed of movement of the ball out of the Backline towards the goal. And the fact that the team are happy, clearly enjoying their footy. I’ll probably have something to say about Clearances, below; thanks Matt. The game highlighted what a great game we have. I thought the crowd was about two thirds Pies’ supporters; very vocal but pretty civilized with the Geelong supporters. We were sitting on the fence in M54 – yep, about 10 metres from Howe’s crash – great close engagement with the game, with less overview of the game you get a level higher.
And for reasons I’ve made public previously, Geelong, for me, sits above Carlton as an adversary I like to beat, so a great outcome and it was nice not to be holding a margin under 6 Points as we headed for the final siren. Back to an assessment.
Round 1
Collingwood 19.11.125 defeated Geelong 16.7.103
Goals scored by Quarter:
- Q1 5 (us) / 6 (them);
- Q2 4 / 6;
- Q3 5 / 4;
- Q4 5 / 0; and
- Total: 19 / 16.
In each of the first three Quarters, Geelong established a sizable lead which we then pulled back. Even though we were behind at each change, particularly at HT by 2 goals and the final change by 7 Points, I never felt we were being beaten in the play. The Coach emphasised this point (see below) in his post-game media conference that he considered the team, generally, controlled the game; Geelong just kept kicking goals. I am always angry when teams score goals against the flow of the game. When you look at the Possessions and time in each team’s half, you can see this applying.
- Match Report. Go to www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/4786#match-report. I loved the opening headline: “New season; same old Collingwood”.
- Coach’s Report. Go to www.afl.com.au/video/883911/full-post-match-r1-magpies?videoId=883911&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1679057674001&references=AFL_MATCH:4786. Worth watching to hear Fly’s comments regarding control of the game and the various players’ assistance through score involvement qualified by the realistic perspective “Guys, it’s only Round 1”.
Some numbers. A selection of a few selected statistics and some comments:
- Hit Outs – 45 (us) / 38 (them). A good performance by Cox and Cameron but against unremarkable opponents. We need to consider other teams’ rucks (Melbourne, for example);
- Clearances – 43 / 35. I am a strong believer in the importance of the flow from Hit Outs, to Clearances, to Inside 50s to scores. Here, generally okay, but not dominant in Clearances, particularly in the middle, however reasonably reflecting the HO numbers;
-
- Centre clearances – 14 / 17. Beaten in the middle. Midfield? and
- Stoppage clearances – 29 / 18. Good;
- Inside 50s – 62 / 46. Good. The difference here reflects the movement out of the Backline rather than from the Midfield. A match winning difference when combined with Disposal Efficiency;
- Goals scored – 19 / 16. Reflects the above; and
- Scoring shots – 30 / 23. Another key differential. The kicking was actually pretty good by both sides. I usually expect the same number of Behinds as Goals so this was pretty good by us, outstanding by them.
- Disposal Efficiency – 76.9% / 70.2%. Yep, a fair margin, but…
- Disposal Efficiency Inside 50 – 50.0% / 56.5%. It did seem, particularly early on, that they couldn’t miss. We still maintained the overall dominance, of the use of the ball in scoring, due to our Inside 50 numbers.
- Other – pretty similar.
Best: The identified Best were:
- N.Daicos;
- De Goey;
- J. Daicos;
- Pendles;
- Noble. Was outstanding. A great performance;
- Mitchell; and
- Hill. How will Jack get his spot back or how could you have both there?
The first three named were simply outstanding. I’d have been tempted to add Adams (3 Clearances, 3 Goal Assists) and McCreery (1 Clearance, 2 Goal Assists and 413 metres gained).
Deductions? Our drive out of the Backline was outstanding, as was the variety of goal-kicking opportunities Forward. We continue to need to work on our Midfield dominance as measured by Clearances. It wasn’t bad, but warrants some attention. We also need to put and maintain pressure on opposition Forwards. It did seem that Geelong’s Forwards had little pressure on them as they kicked for goal (early in the game). Your comments?
A great first-up performance against the current Premier. Well done, all.
Round 2:
Collingwood plays Port Adelaide on Saturday, 25 March at the MCG. Bounce at 1.45pm.
Betting: Pies’ favourites $1.56 / $2.45. I don’t believe it.
Them:
Particularly after last week’s performance by Port in the demolition of Brisbane (one of “the experts’” chosen-ones for this year) by more than 50 Points, I consider Port a real threat though would acknowledge they were at home against Brisbane. The reports I have seen seem to indicate a huge contribution from some of their young guns. Their game statistics are interesting – Contested Possessions – 150 (them) / 116 (Brisbane); Disposals (not usually of interest, however so substantial) – 405 / 264; Clearances – 47 / 38 and Inside 50s – 65 / 40. They Won the second Half 12 goals to 3 including a 3Q differential of 8 goals to 1. They also allegedly worked for four full Quarters. Best last week were:
- Horne-Francis – Rover. No 1 draft pick, 2021. Tag?
- Butters – HF;
- Rozee – Ruck Rover;
- Wines – Centre. Previous Brownlow winner;
- Rioli – HF. Brand new – explosive. Maybe tag with Hill?
- Marshall – FP; and
- Aliir – BP.
Add in Dixon and you have enough to watch for.
So, the focus on the Midfield will be key. ‘Win the Midfield battle, win the war’. Tag Horne-Francis? Maybe a role for N. Daicos? Maybe seek to drive around or over the Midfield?
Us:
Changing a winning team? Maybe to balance the requirements and make essential changes due to injury:
- Line-up. Minimal change – Frampton in for Howe (Maybe consider Kelly as the replacement). Consider inclusion of Steene in place of Cameron? Your comments?
- Game Plan. Focus on Midfield battle seeking to dominate the Clearances from the Centre, as well as the stoppages. Remainder, particularly playing for four Quarters, continue as it’s going, pay attention to holding tackles and close passing the ball.
And we’re going to get to this one too. Different seats. Thank you, David.
My prediction. Collingwood to Win by 7 Points. BOG – N. Daicos with 38 touches (against Horne-Francis’ 12), 8 Clearances, 14 Tackles and two goals. Mihocek, McCreery and Elliott each get 3. Your view?
Weather. Forecast weather for Saturday, 25 March is cloudy, slight wind with a low chance of rain, with no forecasted rain in the days leading up to it. So, wear the moulded-sole boots.
TV: Kayo or FOXTEL best for every game.
Free to Air TV: None.
Future:
- Saturday, 25 March – Round 2. Port Adelaide at the MCG as above.
- Friday, 31 March – Round 3. Richmond at the MCG.
Other:
- The VFL side plays Coburg at Victoria Park in their first game of the season also on Saturday. Bounce at 11.05am. Locals, can you get to both?
- Remember you can see our past Reports (for a few years) on Footy Almanac at www.footyalmanac.com.au/?s=Hooke. The group emails started a few years before the FA records. Does anyone’s records show when we started?
- And would you like to know our coach a little better? Go to www.afl.com.au/news/882145/-my-44-sons-mcrae-on-pie-s-drug-ban-prelim-heartbreak-his-fave-moment; and
- 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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Cam, the good thing about the “premiership favorites” and their super duper ruck division is that we don’t play them until round 13, when both sides have sorted themselves out and are ready for a big clash.
But beware, in 1989 round 1 Collingwood beat reigning premiers Hawthorn and looked a million dollars. It is history that those perennial pests Fitzroy upended Collingwood in round 2 and set in motion the inconsistent season that was 1989.
I have grave concerns about Port, they are up and about and ready to upset the big boys with their striped jumper crap. Stand firm against the Haka, do not mock it!
Nice piece Cam, love your weekly stuff.
My comments (to any who will listen) is namely:
This Club has great (and getting better) leaders, and,
we have a really decent list, and barring too many serious or season-ending injuries (like Howe’s), the competition for a spot in the starting 22 this season is intense. It’s a great place to be currently.
I am also one of your mob, as in:
Believe always. Go Pies.
Floreat Pica
Frank