Cam Hooke’s Collingwood Life: Round 9 Review/Round 10 Preview

G’day to everyone

 

Round 9

 

The Western Bulldogs 14.15.99 defeated Collingwood 7.9.51.

 

A couple of comments first:

 

We were thrashed. The Bulldogs were cleaner, quicker and seemed to always be in the right place;

 

There were some dumb decisions taken by players – eg. Henry passing to De Goey rather than having a shot himself. 30m, directly in front, should be standard for these professionals; and

 

It is good that McRae was unwilling to make excuses for the performance. He gave credit to the WB – “(they) were up and about; at a different level (to us)”. He assessed the team’s performance as “poor”. Wouldn’t disagree with that.

 

Go Pies.

 

Game Timeline. Have a look at the Timeline at www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/3881#timeline. It shows the importance of the Q1 drubbing (6 goals to 1), their three at the end of Q3 and the death of our final rush of three goals in Q4 followed by theirs.  The game, Goals scored by Quarter:

 

• Q1                   1 (us) / 6 (them).
• Q2                   1 / 1;
• Q3                   2 / 4;
• Q4                   3 / 3; and
• Total               7 / 14. And we Lost.  

 

Summary from the AFL website?

 

 

The Bulldogs won 37 more forward-half groundballs tonight and 40 more contested possessions – both season-highs. They controlled the stoppages, winning 16 more clearances and outscoring the Magpies by 25 points from this source.

 

Match Report: www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/3881#match-report

Coach’s Comments: www.afl.com.au/video/759362/full-post-match-r9-magpies?videoId=759362&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1652449504001&references=AFL_MATCH:3881. Worth watching. Expands on my observations, above.

 

Statistics & Lessons:

 

Team Statistics (identifying only those numbers where there was a significant difference) – One of my sons referred to this as an autopsy (I hope he’s not correct):

 

• Hit Outs                               38 (us) / 35 (them) – Okay, broadly matched, though I am critical of Cameron in the ruck – see later comments under ‘Manning’, below. What happens next?
• Clearances                          27 / 43. The next step. Their Midfield destroyed us, ‘sharking’ our broad HO equivalence;

• Centre                                  7 / 15; and
• Stoppages                           20 / 28;

• Disposal Efficiency              72.8% / 77.1%. Across the whole game – WB ball handling and movement was much cleaner and more precise than ours. And there was a distinction in numbers of individual’s with reasonable DE between the teams – 8 / 10;
• Inside 50s                            46 / 68. Killer statistic reflecting WB domination.

• Disposal Efficiency              37.0% / 45.6%. A massive difference reflecting their competence inside the 50; and
• Marks                                   11 / 14. A further advantage to them;

• Marks                                   85 / 129. We were seriously out-marked throughout the game. Using this comparison and the Uncontested Possession (202 / 286) you see the massive domination of possession and, accordingly, control of the game;
• Scoring Shots                      16 / 29. Then the goals?
• Goals scored                      7 / 14. And the game was Lost.

 

Application. The sum of Contested Possessions and Tackles, as a measure of application, gives – 162 (us) / 201 (them) – WB dominated. There was also a massive difference  in 1%’ers – 41 / 56. Both figures reflected the WB dominance. It would be interesting to look at the figures by Quarter – Q2 was significantly better for us.

 

So, what is going on?

 

Some thoughts:

 

• We are being killed in the Midfield, the source of possession. We allowed the WB to dictate how the game was played. They even worked harder than us.

• And up Forward we are still using the ’up and under’ kick into the Goal Square rather than at a leading Forward.

• And I’m still concerned at the one on one defence across the ground. We all loved Noble’s tackle and hold (and the resulting Free) but this should be routine.

• And we are still occasionally being caught out without crumbing players, on the ground, around packs (front and back).

 

Best. Listed Best were: Crisp, Lipinski, Adams, Noble and N. Daicos. Consider adding Maynard – 532 mG, 23 D @ 69.6% DEf, 5 Marks and 3 Tackles and 9 Intercepts, Howe – 500 mG, 22 D @ 90.9% DEf, 9 Marks, 3 Tackles and 6 Intercepts,  and Cameron – 33 HO, 159mG, 11 D @ 81.8%, 5 Marks and 3 Tackles – a pretty fair day at the office by each of them.

 

Ground Reporting. Did anyone go? Please? I would love some more ‘ground reporting’ please?

 

 

VFL. The Pies’ VFL continues onward and upward.  They are currently sitting 2^nd on the Ladder with a percentage of 154.4%. Their next game is against Werribbee on 29 May at the Avalon Airport facility. Well done. Keep up the good work.

 

 

Round 10

 

Fremantle versus Collingwood

 

Sunday, 22 May 2022 at Optus Stadium, Perth; bounce at 5.20pm (AEST).

 

Fremantle are sitting on the Ladder in 3^rd place with a percentage of 139.4% with seven Wins and two Losses, somewhat above our 11^thplace on 98.4%, based on our four Wins and five Losses.

 

Their season, so far:

 

• Round 1 – Win over Adelaide by 1 Point;
• Round 2 – Loss to St Kilda by 10;
• Round 3 – Win over WCE by 55;
• Round 4 – Win over GWS by 34;
• Round 5 – Win over Essendon by 48;
• Round 6 – Win over Carlton by 35;
• Round 7 – Win over Geelong by 3;
• Round 8 – Win over North by 78; and
• Round 9 – Loss to Gold Coast by 36.

 

Previous. We are overdue a Win over Freo. In our last three games we’ve Lost by 4 and 12 Points (twice for that margin).

 

So, a variety of margins with, mostly, the same result. Notable are the number of close Wins that could have been Losses. I compiled the Best from each game giving me the Deductions and the list of players to watch.

Injuries: Go to www.fremantlefc.com.au/footy/injury-list. Check later in week.

 

Deductions?

 

 

Freo are performing. They deserve to be Top 4, though I have some doubts about what they may have looked like if they’d Lost three rather than one. Watching the Suns/Freo game on half my computer as I write this, Freo seems to be pursuing safe, short passes seeking to slow the game down. The Suns’ tackling pressure in the wet has been superb. We need to do the same. OK, they just Lost. Best for Freo – Serong (Rover), Logue (BP), Brayshaw (Centre) and Brodie (RR).

 

 

Summary from the AFL website on the Suns / Freo game?

 

 

The Suns dominated after quarter-time, outscoring the Dockers by 38 points (56-18) from 15 fewer inside 50s (30-45). The 33 points they conceded is their best defensive effort in any standard length game in club history.

 

The Freo Midfield is heavily represented in their Best each week. In particular Brayshaw and Brodie are critical. Consider tagging Brayshaw.

 

So, in the absence of an understanding of how Freo will play, get control of the game and play it our way. We have looked absolutely ferocious going direct, into the chest of a leading Forward. Application, application, application.

 

Who to watch?

 

• Brayshaw – Centre;
• Brodie – RR;
• Clark – W;
• Treacy – FF/CHF; and
• Fyfe – if playing, Midfield, wherever he wants to be.

 

Anything else, people? Your views?

 

Us

 

Injuries: Madgen out injured.

 

Team:

 

• Ins:

• Pendles;
• We really need to get the ball into a position to kick at the goal without having to take ‘screamers’ like Hoskin-Elliott or Mihocek a few weeks back. And Cox is a better ruck than Cameron. I’m not suggesting Cameron be dropped. I think he would be more use up Forward and relieving the Ruck.; and
• Life is more interesting when he’s on the ground; and

 

• Outs:

• Madgen (injured);
• Begg; and
• Brown.

 

Things to do

 

• Focus on the ruck battle – very important for the next step – Clearances, then the Inside 50s;
• Seek to shark the Clearances in the Centre bounces and at stoppages around the ground;
• Better establish Forward targets – a variety is essential. Please do not take Moore out of the Back 6;
• Maintain the speed of movement; avoid stoppages or delays (particularly amongst the Backline) – open the game up;
• Continue to enjoy your footy; and
• Pursue the execution of the high-intensity Game Plan for the entire four Quarters.

 

 

Your thoughts would be welcomed.

 

Result

• My Result. Collingwood to Win by 23 Points. BOG – De Goey with 31 Disposals, 7 Clearances, 3 Tackles, 2 Goals and 2 GA; Ginnivan to get 3. Your thoughts? 

 

 

Go get em, boys.

 

1. No FTA TV coverage. FOXTEL or Kayo or head out to your friendly pub or club.

 

Weather. Wet. Heavy rain is forecast. Get rid of the moulded-sole boots.

 

Round 11

 

Collingwood versus Carlton.

Sunday, 29 May 2022 at the MCG; bounce at 3.20pm.

The Olde Enemy.

 

Other

 

• Footy Almanac. Go to www.footyalmanac.com.au. More specifically go to www.footyalmanac.com.au/?s=Hooke for the history. Readers can make comments at the end – interesting reading. Highly recommended.

 

Go Pies

 

 

Cam

 

 

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