Sydney Swans v Collingwood
Friday, 9 August 2024
Prologue
In the days leading up to this game I was feeling that this would be a defining game for both sides. Collingwood needed to win and win well to be able to defend their flag from 2023, and Sydney had to stamp their authority on a game to earn a tilt at a third flag in the 21st century. I was not convinced that the Pies were running into some real form, though the return of McCreery, Cox and McStay had brought some firepower and pressure back into the side but the loss of DeGoey for the season was a crucial blow, particularly his bullocking work out of the centre and ability to do the physical stuff in midfield.
There is real history to our clashes with the Sydney Swans and, previously, South Melbourne, but particularly since the early 1980s when the old South Melbourne moved to the other big city and, over two years, became the Sydney Swans. I never went to a Collingwood v South Melbourne match, largely because I only started going to game with my sons in 1978 and only ever went to either the MCG or Waverley Park. However, I did attend a game held in Sydney in 1981 when South Melbourne played against the Pies as a prelude to the VFL moving them to the harbour city. I seem to recall some games we lost in the 80s and 90s against the Swans, particularly one at Victoria Park that I did not go to and quite a few in Sydney, again particularly in 1995.
The rivalry specifically became interesting in the 21st century when games were played initially at Homebush but more recently at the SCG. In the early day at Homebush our Mighty Pies almost inevitably won at Homebush but, when games were moved to the SCG, it was more often that Sydney won at their home ground. I do recall a 1 point win and two preliminary final losses.
I was not really feeling confidant about this one but was hopeful.
First Quarter
Sydney came out of the blocks like an Olympic sprinter (without COVID), determined to put the previous week’s game out of their minds. The dominated both possession and territory for the first part of the quarter and deservedly led by 13 points until Collingwood got their first goal via Jack Crisp, quickly followed by a second from a free kick when Blakey downed Elliot after the goal had been kicked. After this, the Pies began to dominate and 3 more goals followed from Bytel, off the ground, Cox from a mark in front, and Quaynor drifting up field alone to kick a rare goal.
A five-goal quarter gave us a 13-point lead with promise of more to come. Our pressure was up there with the best of 2023 and the return of Cox, McCreery and McStay has given the forward line a target for marks and players to be at the feet of the talls to capitalise on spilt balls. Prominent players were Sidey, Crisp, Cameron, and all our defenders after the initial onslaught by Sydney. Nick and Josh Daicos were each getting a lot of the ball but distribution from Nick in particular was not up to their usual standard, probably from the attention being paid to them by Sydney.
Sydney 3.3 21 to Collingwood 5.4 34
Second Quarter
Again Sydney came out of the blocks like the Olympic sprinter, getting two goals quickly and putting pressure on the Pies all around the ground. A typical snap from McCreery was our only score while Sydney got a third for the quarter to bring them within 3 points at the main break. Despite only scoring one goal, we maintained the lead in a very tight game where few, if any, marks were being taken in the forward 5o by either side, but especially Sydney. However, their midfield was scoring goals. Sidey, Cameron, Moore, Long, Quaynor and McStay were prominent with the Daicoses seeing a lot of the ball but especially Nick being hurried in his use of it.
Sydney 6.5 41 to Collingwood 6.8 44
Third Quarter
The premiership quarter for the previous year’s winners or the team that have been on top of the ladder more or less all year. Three goals within the first five minutes from Lipinski, McStay and Cameron put the Pies well in charge, 21 point to the good. Sydney then kicked one quickly to keep the margin within 3 goals followed not long after with one from a poor kickout by Howe. Bobby Hill came to the party with two goals close to three-quarter time, one from a super mark and the next from a great snap. Sidey, Cameron, Long, Crisp, McCreery, Lipinksi, and the Daicoses were prominent. We went into three-quarter time with a handy 21point lead.
Sydney 8.9 57 to Collingwood 11.12 78
Fourth Quarter
After last week when we scored the first goal and lead by 32, it was again important to try do the same again but also build on it. We duly scored one through Long early in the quarter to lead by 27 points. There were no goals scored until there was just over 10 minutes to go when Sydney scored 2 quickly to give themselves a chance. Three more followed to give Sydney the lead with 3 minutes left on the clock. Two players dominated the last 10 minutes. Heeney and Warner who got the ball going forward and scored a goal apiece. McStay took a mark with 30 seconds on the clock and was prevented from playing on by a Sydney player who was also 5 metres back from where the mark was taken. The player should at least have been brought back to the mark, but not so. McStay should have been given 50 metres bringing him to 5 metres out. A bit of a hometown decision that.
For 2 weeks in a row, we have lead at three-quarter time and increased the lead early in the final quarter only to have the opponents score 5 goals straight. In the previous week against bottom of the table Richmond, we conceded 3 goals to 1 in the final quarter. In fact, we have conceded 85 points over the past 3 final quarters and scored only 24 ourselves. Last year we were able to shut teams down in the final quarter and not let them get a run on. It would appear we have lost that touch or the opposition has worked out a way to not let us do that. At times our defence seems poor and the midfield cannot get first possessions in the clear. In this game we also missed some gettable shots that would have made all the difference, especially in the third quarter.
Sydney 13.11 89 Collingwood 12.14 86
Epilogue
This game epitomised our season. Some good passages of play and whole quarters but not enough to stamp our authority on games as we did last year. Fragilities in a defence, missing Murphy, and perhaps being caught out by opponents reading our style and counteracting it. Injuries to many players and some of the key ones in our structure. Blooding of some youngsters has been promising but many have not been able to consistently perform to their best.
It is hard see us making finals now as the mountain is hard to climb and others are in the way. It will be interesting to see how the end of season actions take place. Who will be kept and who discarded? Will we be able to trade to get quality players or allow us to move up in the draft?
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well they sure fixed it today, and in doing so fixed the Lions good and proper