Cam Hooke’sCollingwood Life 2026: Round 10 Review / Round 11 Preview

G’day to all.

 

Firstly, this game represents a competition record. Well done Pendles, you are an example to all of us. Importantly this game represents the record, of course, as will every other game he subsequently plays in. Watch this space regarding the number when he retires.

Secondly, the rest of the Season (well except for R23 and R24, plus the Finals) has been published. Go to AFL Fixtures and Results – AFL.com.au. Notable games are:

 

• Home game against Carlton – Saturday, 18 July. Waiting for Club advice on upgrade seats for this one;
• Home game against Geelong (Even though the last game was at the MCG, it was a Geelong home game) – Thursday, 30 July; and
• End of home & away Season against Hawthorn and Brisbane in the weeks starting 10 August and 17 August, respectively.

 

And Adelaide in Adelaide and the GC in the GC could be added. All in all, I see it as a reasonable balance of challenges.

 

But, much more importantly, my thanks to Bob Bowker for his insightful post-match report (which went to everyone). Broadly, I agree that even though we Lost, there were a lot of positives out of the game; and I totally disagree with Kane Cornes that our Season is over – go to www.afl.com.au/video/1519772/kane-cornes-unloads-on-pies-priorities?videoId=1519772&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1778854248001&tagNames=AppNewsFeed:Yes&tagNames=AppNewsFeed:Yes. And the come back? Watch this video to the end – www.instagram.com/reel/DYYU8JKBEDl/. Well said.

 

Would still like to see reports / views from others, either at the game (as I know some of you were) or watching from afar.

 

Go Pies

Round 10 Result:

 

Collingwood 10.15.75 were defeated by Sydney 11.15.81

Another single-kick Loss

Scoring shots – 25 (us) / 26 (them). Says it all, actually.

 

Goals scored:

• Q1. 5 (us) / 1 (them). The start doesn’t get any better than this (almost) – check the Timeline and scores at www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/8121#summary to see the flow of the game, particularly in Q1. Margin at Quarter time + 22 Points;
• Q2. 1 / 2. Up and down a bit. Our lead extended beyond 5 goals midway through the Quarter. Technically, statistically, they Won the Quarter – 1.7 / 2.2. Margin reduced to – 21 Points (not a huge change);
• Q3  2 / 6. Sydney dominated the second half of this Quarter – 2.3 / 6.6 with us losing the lead. Margin at the final break – 6 Points;
• Q4. 2 / 2. Collingwood led about mid-Quarter by a small margin. The game tightened up, with neither side dominating. Towards the end we appeared to be heading towards a Win; it didn’t happen. Each side scored 2.3. Final Losing margin – 6 Points; and
• Total.  10.15 / 11.15. They Won.

 

Match Report – www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/8121#match-report.

 

Coach’s Report – www.afl.com.au/video/1519766/full-post-match-r10-magpies?videoId=1519766&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1778853222001&references=AFL_MATCH:8121. Argues our best is as good as the competition leaders’. He also emphasised the importance of commitment, regardless of the players’ age and experience, for the Club fans. Worth watching.

 

Game Statistics

 

Numbers sourced from the AFL website.

 

Statistic	Us / Them	Remarks
Disposals	373 / 401	Includes handball numbers – 170 / 169. Included just to highlight the difference in ball-possession in their favour. Note that the game was close to even to Half Time.
Hit Outs	10 / 52	Not a factual statistic. Needs HO to advantage. But, as a first-order comparison it is telling. They dominated the HO in the Centre but also at stoppages around the ground. Not sure where we go now.
Clearances	38 / 41	Includes 11 / 12 Centre clearances and 27 / 29 stoppage clearances.  Clearance numbers are not recorded by Quarter. While not counting them, their rampant clearances (and goals) in Q3 appeared dominant. Using scoring shots as an indicator the nearness of the scores is indicative.
Inside 50s	56 / 71	Dominance by them; a key statistic.
Goals scored	10 / 11	Does not reflect the Clearances or Inside 50s statistics, above. So what else influences things? See DE Inside 50, below.
Disposal Efficiency	68.6% / 69.3%	Not too different but not particularly important. Across the entire game.
Disposal Efficiency Inside 50	48.2% / 42.3%	The other Key statistic. Our substantial domination here of efficiency counters their domination of Inside 50s, resulting in the goals scored close equivalence.
Contested Possessions	145 / 160	UCP – 203 / 221. Reflects a marginal ownership of the ball by them, and hence, the game and their style of play – keep’ens off.
Possession	40% / 42%	Marginal difference.
Marks	66 / 89	Includes Marks inside 50 – 8 / 8 and competitive marks – 8 / 6.
Tackles	74 / 56	Includes Tackles inside 50 – 8 / 12.
1%’ers	51 / 55	Reflects effort, particularly by Backline. See later comment, below, regarding the strategy applied by the Defensive 6 (or frequently 7).
Individual DE > 80%	3 / 8	Individual numbers of players with DE less than or equal to 80%.
Individua DE < 50%	3 / 5	Same as above. Individual DE less than or equal to 50%.
Free Kicks	21 / 31	That’s a serious difference. Seriously requires clarity regarding the award for ‘caught with the ball’ and ‘incorrect disposal’. While I, and the bulk of the watchers around me, understand the Umpire’s decision rests very much on his / her view of ‘opportunity’, the umpiring decision-making was really awful and highly prejudiced against the Pies’ players. My usual criticism of the 50m penalty similarly applies (again).

 

 

The Game

 

We did not attend the game. Watched from afar.

 

The start highlighted the Pies’ players intent to acquire the ball and keep it, or effectively to get it back; a truly great start. The game really highlighted the pressure applied by each team. The quite extraordinary skill levels demonstrated by the Pies’ players in Q1 was at the highest level. The light rain late in the game didn’t help this.

 

The first Half belonged to the Pies; the second to Sydney; with the lead rarely exceeding ‘two kicks’. As identified above (also reflecting the week before), our Q2 and Q3 scoring was awful – 1.7 / 2.2 and 2.3 / 6.6 respectively. Scoring shot difference in Q2 – 8 / 4. It should, however, be noted that in Q3 Inside 50 numbers were 8 / 25 with Scoring shots – 5 / 12, reflecting the team’s total contribution to prevent an even more serious blow-out. They took the lead towards the end of that Quarter. The hope that we’d fight back in Q4 didn’t eventuate with each sides’ two goals late in the Quarter. The loss of Steene late in Q3, freeing up Grundy to take absolute ownership of ball-ups, was critical. The criticism from previous games that we looked slow and tired as the game wore on was not evident. Maybe that was because of the age and experience of many in the team – eight players had less than 20 AFL games; and, of course the team’s average age had been limited by Pendles’ resting. NickD was strongly tagged by Jordan, not totally successfully – he still produced 27 Disposals, 2 Clearances, 377 metres Gained and 2 Goals. The inclusion in the Best, below, of Houston, Quaynor and Maynard clearly identifies the strength of the Backline during the game.

 

As the Coach reported (same as last week), the team has a few things to work on. Given the general performance across the ground, I’d suggest there is no need for restructuring – Just some replacements, particularly the ruck. Some suggested observations:

 

• The kick-in is still not working reliably – plan and execute;
• Close-defence tags are generally working;
• Avoid the ‘impossible’ kicks at goal. Be willing to pass to a better position; and
• My criticism in the past of Defenders seemingly spoiling each other in packs was not evident. Well done.

 

This was an enjoyable game to watch, even the ending.

 

I said in previous weeks that the Geelong game and the Sydney game, in Sydney, will give us a fair guide as to how our season is going. Last week Geelong showed that they are real contenders. We didn’t show anything in that game. The Sydney game, in Sydney, showed that we are on track to compete.

 

Crowd. 40,627.

 

Best: AFL website reporting identified the Best as:

• NickD;
• Quaynor;
• De Goey;
• Houston; and
• Maynard.

 

Coaches’ Votes: Coaches’ votes not out yet. Go to www.afl.com.au/news/1517952/coaches-votes-r9-three-way-tie-for-lead-bizarre-split-for-giants-bombers for last week. Look on Monday / Tuesday.

 

I don’t really have any issues with the Best selections though might have included Howe (24 Disposals @ 79.2%, 1 Clearance, 625 metres Gained, 1 Goal Assist, 5 Intercept Possessions and 4 Score Involvements) and Frampton (13 D, 1 SI, 6 IP and 154 mG). Good contributions each.

 

Injuries? The injury to Steene is critical, particularly if Cameron is not 100%.

 

VFL Worth a quick look-see regarding the VFL performance www.afl.com.au/vfl/matches/8420’ unfortunately a pretty substantial Loss to Sydney. The Best identified is Swadling (HF) again with 40 Disposals.

 

Round 11:

 

Saturday, 23 May – Collingwood versus West Coast at the MCG. Ball-up at 4.35 pm.

 

Betting: We are favourites: $1.07 for a Pies’ Win; $8.50 for an Eagles Win.

 

Following the completion of R10 WCE in 15^th position on the Ladder based on their 3 Wins and 7 Losses and 64.2% percentage. We have slipped further to 11^th place based on 4 Wins, 5 Losses and single Draw and 99.1% percentage.

 

Them

 

WCE finished the H&A season last year in 18^th place on the Ladder based on 1 Win, 18 Losses and 60,1% percentage, and were excluded from the Finals. Their Win last year was against St Kilda in Round 10. They are doing better this year, but not by much.

 

Their season, so far, is:

 

Round	Win / Loss	Opponent	Margin	Location
OR	Bye
1	L	GC	59	PFS
2	W	NM	17	Perth
3	W	PA	2	AO
4	L	Sydney	128	Perth
5	L	Geelong	46	Adelaide
6	L	Freo	56	Perth
7	L	St Kilda	101	Marvel
8	L	Richmond	11	Perth
9	L	Melbourne	32	Marvel
10	W	GWS	17	Perth

 

 

But there have been successes. Their last game against GWS was a very close-run thing with a single kick difference up close to the siren. Collingwood should use the opportunity to build its percentage.

 

WCE pursue ‘pressure football’, as a team, like we do, actually so it will be an interesting conflict. Murdok, not listed below has locked down as a close defender. Expect him to do a tagging job. Williams, Reid and Waterman were best against GWS las week. We can expect WCE to continue fighting up to the final siren. They have been there before. This game will test us. It is absolutely critical; that we pursue the game we want, rather than following their lead. See more below.

 

Players to watch:

 

• Harley Reid – RR. A former No 1 draft pick, he is critical to the WCE Midfield and scoring. Needs very close attention – McCreery?
• McCarthy – HB / Rover;
• Williams – Ruck;
• Yeo – Centre;
• Waterman – FP. Close defence required – Frampton?
• Ginbey – FP / CHB / FB;
• Duursma – HF / Wing; and
• Kelly – HF / Rover.

 

Note the focus of their Best along the corridor, including their Midfield.

 

Us

 

Team. As always, we should always pick the team that best fits our defeat of our opposition. We should seek to run the game we want to from the start, like last week:

 

• Out: Steene, plus others?

 

• In: Moore, Cameron, Lipinski and Hill.

 

Game Plan. Same as always: No changes of substance from past. A couple of points:

 

• Application. Nothing is more important. Attitude is King. Pursuit needs to continue; not stopping when an opponent has passed. Loved Q1 and Q4 last week.

 

• Taggers. Tagging roles might be useful, including an occasional hard lock-down role on their Forwards / Midfield? And protecting our players? That should also be key – watch and protect NickD.

 

• Midfield Management. Pendles’ absence will be significant. Replacement of continuing guidance / on-field coaching to the collective Midfield?

 

• Passing. Accuracy of passes by foot and hand is critical. Remember a misdirected pass resulting in a turnover of the ball gives possession to our opponent, immediately shifting control of the game to them.

 

• Drive. Drive out of the Backline is a key part of our game plan.

 

• Kick-ins are a continuing issue – we still need to have a plan that everyone knows and is able to implement. It is critical because it is the means of maintaining control of the ball, and the game.

 

• Kicking for Goal. This has been hugely improved in recent games. Ball delivery needs to be to the best goal-kicking position. Importantly, scoring a Behind is a waste – for 1 Point you hand over ball-possession to the opposition. It’s not worth it – get the ball into a better position.

 

• Tackles. Still a failing with some opponents spinning out of tackles or brushing off the tackler. This has been one of our strengths and we need to get it back. Love the multiple tacklers.

 

Our Aim? Be happy. Worth reinforcing – our team, yes, we are part of it, everyone, players and supporters, need to get the smile back. Fly reinforced during his post-game interview the place the Fans sit in the game – what the team does is for the fans.

 

Outcome? Collingwood will Win by 89 Points. BOG – NickD with 47 Disposals @ 82.0% DE, 8 Clearances and 658 metres Gained; Regular Goalkicker – Hill – 4 goals; and welcome back; we missed you. Honourable recognition – McCreery for the lock-down on Reid.

 

Weather? Light rain is forecast on match day and days leading to it. Expect a slippery ball and surface. Get the old boots with stops out.

 

TV? No FTA TV. As usual – Kayo, Fox Footy, et al.

 

Next. We’ve got a few serious challenges coming up:

 

• R12     Saturday, 30 May versus WB; and
• R13     Monday, 8 June versus Melbourne (King’s birthday).
• R14     Bye

 

Attendance. We are going to the WCE game. Give me a call?

 

Reporting. Now I know some of you went to the last game. Look forward to your reporting Please? And Reports from TV-watchers are equally welcome? I find it useful to listen to the commentators (prefer Kayo to FTA) who (mostly) know more about the game than we, mortals. Reports?

 

Other.             Firstly, congratulations to the Carlton coach getting a Win. Keep is up Josh. See you in Round 19.

Any feedback? Anything else?

 

Never Lose confidence. This is our year. Go Pies.

 

Cam

 

To return to the www.footyalmanac.com.au  home page click HERE

 

Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.

 

Do you enjoy the Almanac concept?
And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help keep things ticking over please consider making your own contribution.

 

Become an Almanac (annual) member – CLICK HERE