Cam Hooke’s Collingwood Life – Round 17 Preview

 

True Believers, be optimistic. We continue our run to the Finals.  Last week (actually, the last three weeks) have been terrific.  The application, commitment and pursuit was fantastic, and the fact that it continued for the whole game, reflects exactly what we have all believed we were capable of.  And the team-members’ acknowledgement of each other and the obvious motivation across the board was fantastic. Believe, Pies fans.  Have faith.

 

The Season.  Okay, last week we were sitting 11th; we’re still 11th this week; and still three wins outside the Eight, but watch what happens as we start seeing Top Eight teams start playing each other as we head to ‘the end’ of the season – this week: Hawthorn vs Sydney.  From now on, one week at a time, with every game important (better word: ‘critical’).

 

Belief.  Pertinent starting quote from Blair: “they are all eight-pointer games” now.

 

The Game:

 

Adelaide Crows.  Saturday, 16 July; in Adelaide; Bounce: 7.10pm ACST (which makes it 7.40pm AEST).
3rd versus 11th (again; we’re 11th, if you need reminding), percentages: 132.3% (them) vs 93.3% (us).  Logically (but see below), this should look like a walkover to them.  However, we are coming off three ‘four-Quarter’ effort wins against hard-running, hard-chasing sides; and if we can keep that up….. Betting is not close – $4.60 to $1.19.  We should win.

 

Weather in Adelaide.  7 – 14 deg; clear and dry.  And dry in the week leading up to the game.  And, of course, it’s not snowing here – not sure about Adelaide (but we’ve got a few days).

 

TV – Free to Air; 7mate, from 7.30pm in Canberra and Melbourne.  No Free to Air in the Gold Coast – I need to find somewhere to watch – probably the pub, again.
Them?
Adelaide Crows.  Adelaide come into this game with seven Wins in a row.  That said, they have had a range of wins, some significant; some less so.  I credit their wins against GWS (Round 10) and North (Round 14) but don’t see much of value in their wins over West Coast (heavily depleted Eagles side; Round 12) or Carlton, Melbourne and St Kilda filling in the gaps.  They have, however, shown the capacity to recover or run away with games in the Second Half – they compete to the end.  The lessons for us are the need (again) for another four-Quarter effort, the need to gain and retain control of the Midfield and other stoppages and the need to have a slick, fast movement of the ball out of our Backline into our Forward line – pretty much like last week.
Crows players to watch for:

  • Most influential. Watch for  Laird and Lever down back, Sloane, M. Crouch and Atkins amongst the Mids and Lynch, Eddie Betts and Talia up forwards;
  • Potential influencers – In addition to them, watch Jacobs in the ruck and Walker at Full Forward; and
  • ‘Family’ – Not sure there is anyone we’d call ‘family’?

 

Us?
Thursday night (again).  Will be tempted to minimise change, again, particularly after last week’s changes.
Injury Outs? – Fas, to be tested, again.
Legacy from last week (again): Michael Christian on ‘The Agenda’http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/.
In’s & Out’s: I (almost) totally support the changes made last week (check my suggestions from the Round 16 comments).  The only change I might suggest this week would be Brownie – out; Frostie or Goldsack or Williams – back in.  Unfortunately Brownie is just a bit too slow.  And if we do keep him in, please don’t put him on Eddie Betts.  In fact Marley Williams may be the best choice against him – Eddie  has cut us to pieces on occasion in the past.  Maybe Greenwood in to pick up one of their whips?  Not sure who to drop.

 

Game Plan – what do we have to do to win?  Same as last week, and the week before, and the week before that.
What do you think?
Game Previews?

 

My Picks this week? Pies by 13; BOG: Treloar: 31 touches @ 87.3% DE; Goals: Trav – 5, Fas – 4; Crowd –   Your picks?
Other:

  • VFL.  This week on Sunday, 17 July versus Frankston at Frankston Oval (also an old stomping ground of mine a few years back).  Bounce – 2.00pm.  A bit of a drive, but closer than Adelaide;
  • Sponsorship Update.  Holden Australia have decided to maintain their sponsorship.  Thanks.  See the statement at http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/news/2016-07-11/club-statement; and
  • Eddie Watch.  Quiet, thank goodness.  He’ll be hard to shut up after a win this week.

 

Reporting?  Anyone going to be there? Ground Reports pls?
Next. It doesn’t get any easier – Round 18 – North Melbourne on Friday, 22 July. Keep in mind, that when we make the Finals we will have deserved to get there.  And we will have demonstrated the capacity to beat everyone else.  More on next week, next week.
 
Keep the faith. Go Pies.
 
Cam

Comments

  1. Not sure that Talia has played much in the forward lines. Perhaps a typo on your part?

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