by Stephen Goddard for the Floreat Pica Society.
Written whilst watching the game live on TV.
1st Quarter
From the start, and as they did in the GF last year, Geelong’s pressure and strength around the contest, puts pressure on opponents’ decision-making,
Result: two Cats goals from pressure and mistakes by the Pies. Lack of accountability.
Jamie Elliott misses a gettable goal. He continues to be his own harshest judge.
Mitchell shows poise to be in the right place and kick a goal in a suitably relaxed manner.
Stupid sky cam camera position advertising Coles means we miss the centre bounce.
Our short kicks into the forward line are precise and something new for us. Much of this is based on Mitchell winning the ball and handballing to De Goey running past.
Hoskin-Elliott makes a few mistakes. Like Sidey, his all-day running power keeps him in the side. There seem to be three Cats players free and running at most stoppages. Does this mean they are unaccountable front-runners?
Pies snatch at scoring, with McCreery and Checkers posting behinds.
Stengal through the middle for an easy goal.
Ratugolea winning everything. At the other end, Capt. Moore punching and winning contests. Cats’ Cameron runs on to a Cats’ ruck win for another easy goal. Pies ruck and centre clearances are a problem (still).
Another ruck win by Hawkins straight to Dangerfield: another easy goal. Quality possessions, lead to quality shots at goal.
Myers passes to Hawkins pitted for some reason against Maynard. The idea of team defence, stolen from basketball, does not work against gorillas in the forward line.
Geelong winning the stoppages. The ball lands with Taylor Adams, who hooks one in with a high degree of difficulty.
Pies kicking foward with chaos and hope. Hard to defend against, but also hard to score from. The Cats are controlling their passes. Hardly missing a shot.
Cox marks and kicks truly. It’s not his reach, but his willingness to contest that impresses. His kicking style (from 30 metres out) is amongst the best at the Pies.
Sweet half-volley pick-up by Naicos means the ball is delivered quickly into the goal square where McStay uses his experience and footy nous to get a free by backing into his opponent with strength. Tom Stewart is off the field. Should help McStay.
Mitchell gets a well-earned free. He’s the best in-and-under player we’ve had since Luke Ball. (Another poached ball-getter).
Quarter time release of tensions leads to jumper-pulling, tearing and the usual boof-headed energy-wasting show of strength. Ollie Henry’s bottom tests out the MCG surface. Predictable.
As we have seen recently, the Pies’ goals are created and earned after maximum effort; Cats get theirs from quality ball control. I know which strategy is more sustaining across the season. Only arrogance will defeat the Cats. It seems.
2nd Quarter
The Cats’ brains-trust do their homework. JDG and Naicos are tagged.
Chaos again gets the ball forward. Adams’ mark should have been paid.
Pendles hooks one in off one step.
Cats look very big and strong in their back line.
McCreery can run and tackle but can’t seem to win a ball, mark or kick with consistency. Pendles, as usual, is everywhere and tackling well.
Cats’ trip on Maynard unseen. His effort to get to the ball causes it to go out of bounds. Looked deliberate but wasn’t. Umpiring error. Easy round the corner goal to Hawkins.
Sidebottom, thinking he can seemingly stop play like Pendles, is caught in a tackle, which leads to another turnover mistake, and another easy Cats goal to Holmes.
Pies finding team mates on the boundary line. Elliott given another shot from the boundary line. On the full. 10 points down, half way through the quarter, and Cats have hardly broken into a sweat.
Hill tackle from behind is better than good. But we still bomb it into the forward line.
Jaicos saves what would have been an easy goal by punching the ball and not the player. High degree of skill needed, and he has it. (I wonder if they practice that. It’s a momentum changer and, potentially, a game saver.)
Too much concentration on O. Henry leaves others free and the Cats kick a snap goal. Dangerfield’s fend off should have been penalized as a high tackle. Never paid against Dusty either.
Cats’ Cameron kicks into an open forward line with five Cats players and one Pie. They really do run forward of the ball. They can be beaten if we win at the contest.
Henry kicks another easy goal. Cats kick the ball straight at goal from gettable angles. The Pies seem to be trying to dob them from the boundary line. Reminds me of the ultra-defensive style initially adopted by Malthouse.
Still not winning anything out of the centre. Puts pressure on the backline and our forwards never get space. Cats ahead by 21 points.
Cox takes a great mark in the pocket. Kicks it around the corner. Amazing. Let’s hope he gets some confidence to run at the ball in the centre bounces. Maybe he knows that the umps are bouncing badly tonight.
Adams is still a livewire in the forward line. Since pre-season, I’ve liked the idea of Adams in the forward line. I think he does too. McStay not visibly in the game, but won’t get shorter as the game or the year progresses.
Chase down of Darcy Moore of Henry silenced by brilliant intercept mark by Isaac Smith and an even better hanger by bloodnut Rowan. That last minute seems to sum up the game, so far. A heroic effort in the backline, reversed by clean one-touch quality. 11 goals to 7.
Not much corridor footy by Pies.
Good passing by the Pies after IQ wins a ball in the backline JDG kicks to McCreery who can run into good positions. He kicks straight from 45 on 45.
Bobby Hill should have made the goal easier. Happily, his shot just misses the outstretched fingers of a Cat defender.
Brilliant mark by Capt. Moore as Pies sweep it the length of the ground. Elliott under no pressure misses a goal.
Hawkins’ forearm into the back of Howe goes un-noticed. The directive to ‘keep the game flowing’, to increase the amount of goals and advertising dollars, means that the ‘push in the back’ and ‘dropping the ball’ (OK: ‘incorrect disposal’) rules (interpretations) are now ‘play on’ (at all costs). Four umpires won’t help when it comes to the lack of understanding of the game. As long-suffering, but loyal ‘Digger’ on the Coodabeens predicted 2 hours before, four umpires means ‘more crucifixion’.
Lots of goals from both sides from stoppages.
At the end of the first half, the Pies walk off with their heads up.
Geelong injuries seem to be of little concern for them: they have depth beyond depth. The Cats are so good that they don’t need luck, don’t need the run of umpiring decisions, and can win with skills. Their recent run is testimony to that. The only question is whether they can withstand continuing pressure, tackling, and a team that has a sense of belief. The Pies supporters are also a factor.
3rd Quarter
Pendles smiling with his mates as they come back on the ground.
McStay misses another un-missable shot after a lucky mark on his chest.
Bobbly Hill almost marks a haaaanger. Umpire doesn’t ping him for ‘unrealist attempt’ because he almost controlled it.
Howe goes for another mid-air contest. Fractured arm. Game comes to a halt.
For the first time in history, Channel 7 decide not to show the carnage.
Hope Frampton takes his opportunity.
When the time comes (as it comes to us all) Howe’s obituary should read: He never stopped flying.
After the resumption, a shocking decision is paid against Maynard (again) after he tries to find Jaicos, but in a split second kicks a 60 metre kick across the ground, and the ball happens to goes out. The Cats kick a goal from the boundary line. They can’t miss. It gives them continuous momentum.
Mitchell wins a ball from the ruck contest. It gets to JDG. Just sneaks in for a much needed goal. Still not through the middle.
Ratugolea cuts off what was a great build up by the Pies. We miss what should have been an easy goal. The difference between the good sides and the rest, is the ability to find a team-mate with a well placed kick into the forward line. Difficult to do with zone defence, but the Pies are getting better at it.
The Cats are still kicking the ball with control. Luckily it ends with Myers who can’t kick more than 40 metres from a standing start. Jaicos cuts it off.
McStay takes a good mark, and gets it to Crisp. Would have kicked it easily on the run, but from a standing start he also misses the woodwork. The Pies have missed three attempts in a row. Unlucky? It doesn’t seem to upset the players.
Nick Daicos at CHB wins a ball, goes to the fat side and it ends with Hill, after Checkers leaves it for him. Good decision. Hill kicks it very straight from a difficult angle.
Atkins lowers his shoulder and gets an over the shoulder. An upset Maynard gives away 50 to make it a certain goal. The ball falls into Jez Cameron’s arms. Another easy goal. Zone defence not a good idea. Man up Pies.
McCreery tries some of his trademark tackles, but they are just brushed aside.
Henry gets two suspect free kicks to put them in front. Atkins keeps getting it out of the centre.
Not sure why punching the ball across the line is not ‘deliberate’.
Down-the-ground free kick to Hill, and he kicks with precision to Checkers. Around the corner goal. Whew. Just sneaks in (again).
McCreery gives away an obvious push in the back. Simple kick to Rohan. He finds Hawkins on the boundary line. Rare miss.
McCreery loses a contest. Moore courageously leaves his man, gets it to Pendles who strangely misses the target, but Hill grabs before it goes through for what would have been a behind. Goal. Another one would put the magpies amongst the cats.
On one step, McCreery kicks a huge bomb into the forward line that goes well over the pack. Reef gets it and goals. Supporters on song after three in a row.
The Cats’ Close misses on the close side. (Luckily.)
It has officially become a high-scoring game. 6 points in it.
As usual Pies effort and sheer G’n’D keeping us in it.
At ¾ time, Channel 7 execs ring the AFL to tell the umpires to arrange another draw. (Allegedly.) Hopefully, the Pies have other ideas.
Losing two players has seemingly unsettled the Cats, their drive from the backline, and reduced their ability to interchange. Last year, the Pies were so fit in the last quarters, and the supporters also lifted their game, and. got the Pies across the line. Looking for a big effort (all ’round) in the final stanza.
4th Quarter
Feeling like we have done well to keep coming back and to be in this position.
Bad bounce takes the wind out of everyone’s sails. Could be/should be the last year of ‘the ball(s) up’.
Crisp kicks crisply to find DeGoey who takes a strong mark. Another one not through the middle. Happily, nothing registers on the snickometer.
Mitchell doing great work in close. He looks fit and very willing.
Elliott beaten by Bews, a few times. Myers beats Sidebottom, easily.
Hill marks brilliantly on half back flank and gets 50, as the man on the mark moved. I thought they were going to go easy on that unfathomable (and against the spirit of the game) ruling. They better.
Hill should have received a free for holding the man. Unseen.
Mitchell, on his left, kicks his second. Another score review. But not shown.
Richo on the Coodabeens said that he would pay good money to be able to watch the Ark and their decision-making processes. (It would be good to hear also.)
Up by a goal.
Mitchell gets it out of the middle, again, and then three strong tackles in a row. Just what we needed. Fatigue from the Cats showing. Perhaps our tackling pressure has also meant that things are a trifle too difficult for them.
Some good signs: Darcy Cameron takes a strong mark. He does seem to get taller in the last quarters. Pendles kicks forward, but Ratugolea takes another great mark. Courageous Murphy cuts it off to save a goal. Sidey makes a great tackle.
Checkers goes courageously for a high ball, and then makes a great tackle. Reef gets the benefit. Goal. Two goals ahead. Best lead of the game. Almost unbelieveable. Pies continue to tackle strongly and contest. It’s one of (the many) reasons why we stay in, and win games.
Crisp misses what would have been ‘the sealer’. Nick Daicos and Crisp are dominating. A goal on the run. Now that’s the sealer. Biggest cheer of the night.
Reef should have got a free for a great tackle. Didn’t.
Pies have had 60 more disposals with 9 mins to go. No goals to the Cats this quarter.
Noble outside of the boot finds Reef, who gets a lucky trip. His set shot from the boundary hits the post. Murphy, like his mentor Captain Moore, is becoming heroic by leaving his opponent to meet the ball.
Oh, no a bigger roar than the last. Jordy gets the distance.
Fitness, desire, and playing for each other win out in the long run.
So good to be in position where one kick is not going to decide this.
Checkers, as usual, slides into the backline in the last 3 minutes, just to follow the script. Noble is so determined and so fit. 10 positive possessions in the final quarter.
Siren. Whew. A win by 22 points, after 8 goals in a row. (Straight.)
Geelong 16 7 103
Collingwood 19 11 125
Goals:
De Goey 3, Hill 3
McInnes 2, Mitchell 2, Mihocek 2, Cox 2, McCreery 2
Pendlebury 1, McStay 1, Adams 1
RH Medal Votes
3. Mitchell 2. Nick Daicos 1. Crisp
In the clubrooms, (Peter) Daics was right:
“They kept running forward of the ball … we kept ‘em honest.”
The chant starts … and goes on.
Magnificent debut. Ah the Black Betty teapot.
As Stephen knows many years ago my late mother in law Esme crocheted an Essendon tea cosy for the teapot. Esme and the women of the CWA in Boort (northern Vic) used to crochet & knit woollen bits for kiddies living in the tropics.
Anyway once posted an Essendon Tea cosy for our black Betty tea pot as my wife is an Essendon supporter (we’re in a mixed marriage in more ways than one).
I thanked her & promptly posted it back. She later knitted a two sided tea cosy: one side black and white while the other is black and red. Ah, the black Betty tea pot.
Fantastic debut and so quick (like my sex). A comprehensive account. Well done lad.
For me Johnny Noble deserves special mention: marvellous as does the whole team, they just keep on coming. Cox taking contested pack marks augurs well for the season ahead.
Will I put the kettle on?
Thoroughly well done, Stephen!
My simple take on this match is that the Cats played 3 quarters, the Pies played 4, or that we ran out of steam, the Pies didn’t.
A round 1 match played with such intensity is likely to result in injuries, and so it panned out. But, Collingwood had a point to prove – you need those points.
Am thinking last quarter fadeouts will be an indicator if the Cats hunger has dropped off – that jury still awaits more evidence. Generally, I was happy with our effort.
I don’t know how they asses crowd numbers, but from our vantage point there wasn’t an empty seat, and plenty standing – I fully expected an attendance figure well above 90,000.
A great spectacle and a fantastic match.
Great debut Stephen,
Top effort
Frank
We are the team that is always tormented by Harmes, Crompton, Hopkins, Bartlett etc. Doesn’t even have to be a grand final, with seven goal hauls from the likes of Jeff Farmer and “Elbows” Johnston.
But occasionally we borrow from the page of English bossyboots Margaret Thatcher, and her catchphrase “Enough is enough.”
And so it was on Friday night when Darcy Moore ran down O.Henry, joining such legendary moments as Heath Shaw’s run down and smother of Nick Reiwoldt and Scotty Russell’s stealing the ball and goaling after Kickett and Madden were stuffing around with the ball, 1990 second semi final.
For O.Henry, it was a surprise ending!