True Believers,where do we go from here? Well, there is only one way we can reasonably go – forwards.
The Season? Call me an incurable optimist (a pretty fundamental characteristic of a Pies supporter) but our 2016 season is not yet over. And the second half of our season – ‘talk about doing it tough’ – http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-05-10/draw-holds-no-favours-for-struggling-magpies.
The Game:
Brisbane. Saturday, 14 May at the Gabba; bounce: 7.25pm.
16th vs 14th (we’re 14th) on the Ladder; 79.5% (us) vs 66.4%; Brisbane are 1 and 6; we’re 2 and 5. Statistically this should also be a close game between bottom of the Ladder teams. We know that this, simply, should not be the case. We should destroy them.
Weather in Brisbane? Mostly sunny, some clouds; 14 – 27 deg. Light winds. After this last week in Canberra, it sounds like a nice day to head to the beach, maybe watch some cricket or something.
TV (for Canberra residents)? No Free to Air. Find a Friend with Fox / head to Eastlake to watch and for tea (and a few ales).
The Teams:
Us? Published Thursday night.
Legacy from last week: This is really worth watching – Michael Christian on ‘The Agenda’ – http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/.
Injury outs – The injuries have been used as a bit of an excuse (not by me) however the future is looking more promising. There are a bunch of tests following last week’s games including Reid, Brown, Broomhead and Trav. Mid-term injury exclusions are still only Langdon, Goldie and Elliott.
In’s? What do we need? What did I say last week: “A bit of speed, a bit of enthusiasm, a bit of endeavour“. Still needed this week. Who would I like to see in? Witts (essential), Marsh (into the Backline), Trav (desirable but put him at CHF and stop judging him on goals – judge his performance on Effective Disposals, Contested Marks and Goal Assists. Adams and Varcoe – subject to test, but both would be major additions. Maybe even Williams (with Marsh and leaving White back) into the Backline too – convention would see Williams back through the VFL – I think we are beyond ‘convention’. Maybe Gault in place of Darcy? Caff and Gold? Your views?
Game Plan – A single suggestions (notice how the focus is getting narrower and narrower as my suggestions keep being ignored):
- There must be a plan as to where the ball is going to go next. Players need to know where they should pass it and should expect a receiver to be there, and the receivers should be moving accordingly. A good start is from the ‘kick-in’, where we need to leverage off the fact that we have the ball, but the plan should apply everywhere. Your ideas?
Them? Brisbane. Never forget – 2002 & 2003. Home of Beams (who won that trade?). His comments: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-05-10/struggling-magpies-have-been-tough-to-watch-says-beams.
Other. See the Previews.
Impact on us? Once again we need to dominate the Centre and tag players who can cut us apart – last week Casboult held every mark he got close to – why were we still trying to outmark him rather than punching, and not double-teaming against him? And there were a couple of others doing similarly. Your views?
Game Previews?
- AFL Match Day Preview – http://www.afl.com.au/match-centre/2016/8/bl-v-coll – there now. Interesting, they pick Brisbane by 12;
- Pies. Natoli’s ‘Ultimate Preview’ will be on the Pies Home Page at http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/ in the next day or so;
- The Age Preview – Should be at http://www.theage.com.au/afl; and
- Expert Tips – Expert Tips will be at http://www.theage.com.au/afl/expert-tipsters in the next day or so.
My Picks? This should also be a ‘walk in the park’ (like last week) for a team boasting the talent our list has. Pies by 69; BOG: Treloar – 33 touches @ 89% Disposal Efficiency, 8 Clearances; 4 Tackles. Other: Witts – 47 Hit Outs. Goals: Cox – 4, Fas – 4, Trav – 4. Trav – 6 Goal Assists. We are seriously overdue ‘to click’. I anticipate that we will dominate this game and head back to the G the week after to beat Geelong and get our season back on track. Simple, really. Your picks?
Other:
- VFL. Last week, against Sandringham, was a pretty comprehensive Loss by 67 points. This week’s game: Geelong vs Collingwood at Kardinia Park – Saturday, 14 May; bounce 1.00pm;
- Eddie Watch. A friend of mine (amongst the addressees) has a wonderful descriptor applicable to some individuals particularly relevant to the military / political context – “he (or she) rarely suffers from ‘self-doubt’“. If sincere, some self-doubt is a wonderful and laudable sign of a bit of personal humility and the absence of egotism; if sincere. Our leaders – http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-season-2016-top-magpies-under-the-pump-20160509-goq95l.html; and
- Football. To improve accuracy, a new ball – http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/new-balls-please-new-sherrin-designed-to-fix-afl-kicking-20160509-goq044.html. Really? Did you know that Thomas Sherrin’s starting factory in 1880 was in Collingwood?
Reporting? Anyone going to the game? Ground Reports pls?
Remember to keep an eye on the Footy Almanac – http://www.footyalmanac.com.au/.
Next. Saturday, 21 May 2016; bounce: 1.45pm. Geelong at the G. I’m going.
People, keep the faith. Go Pies.
Cam
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