Round 12 – Collingwood v Hawthorn: Floreat Pica Society match report

Pre-game

 

The build up to this game felt quite intense. The Pies looking solid and spectacular, and the Hawks yet to consistently reach the heights of last season’s form. With the recent record between the two clubs trending favourably towards the Hawks, it was a game that promised to deliver one of the best clashes to this mid-point of 2025.

 

The Pies were bringing in five players, and it was quite the list based on their achievements: two club leading games played record holders, two Norm Smith medallists, the Premiership Captain, and one of the league’s best pressure forwards.  The Hawks dropped a young gun mid, and brought back a veteran small defender from parental duties just in time to try to counter the Magpies fleet of dangerous smalls in the forward half.

 

A bumper crowd of over 83,000 (83,706) and the around the stadium walking in made it feel like the most meaningful match we have had so far this year. Can we continue to prove that our form is true?

 

 

The game

 

I was there to watch it live, and get far too involved to be too analytical about it. It’s taken me until Sunday afternoon to find sufficient time to sit back and watch a replay.

 

First quarter

 

4.1 (25) vs 3.3 (21)

 

The Pies got off to the ideal start, with a quick centre clearance launched by a nifty Nick Daicos intercept, some surge footy, a deft pass by Bobby Hill (loving to score assist of recent times) and a goal to fan favourite and hottest small forward in the league, Jamie Elliott at the 1 minute mark. On the other side of the ledger, it was fan foe and former Pie Ginnivan who pumped a kick in blindly (a bad trait of his) for the Hawks’ first inside 50 of the contest.

 

In the ensuing few minutes, the ball rebounded between the arcs, with Mihocek most notable with two strong and courageous contested marks as well as earning a holding the ball decision against one of his opponents, Josh Battle. The Hawks got their first goal due to clever thinking by their embattled captain, a kick centred to Ginnivan where a contest led to the ball bouncing into the path of a Hawk and a clean finish from Worpel. Game on, with the Hawks hitting the lead at about the 6 minute mark. At the next centre bounce, the ball was expertly gathered by the cleanest player below their knees (forget Lachie Neale), Steele Sidebottom, who pinpointed Nick Daicos in midfield. Nick’s kick was intercepted by Barrass (never like any Eagle defender from 2018 intercepting a kick inside 50) which quickly rebounded and got into the hands of Ginnivan who made no mistake with his set shot. Quick ball movement by the Hawks and the cheeky goal celebration had me on edge for what could be to come. Can’t help but feel nervous when playing Hawthorn at almost any stage. Thankfully Hawthorn’s clearance from the next bounce did not lead to a goal from the usually reliable Hawk’s Moore, who pulled his shot across the face. Spoils from the defensively minded attacking half-backs Houston and J.Daicos blunted the next two forays into Hawks territory. Our defence was looking assured in the face of Hawthorn’s early ascendancy. Howe’s disciplined defence and reading of the ball was also on display. Chol was getting plenty of ball early for the Hawks, and looking confident when taking Frampton up the field. But we continued to hang tough in defence. Our high intensity and pressure tackling led to a turnover, and with Hoskin-Elliott streaming inside 50 he made the right call and wrong execution as he missed to the right. The lack of daring from Hawthorn’s kick in, and our air tight defence produced a relatively easy turnover, and a true Nick Daicos snap. A much needed goal to regain our footing in the contest.

 

Some great midfield pressure from old man Pendlebury, caused a quick turnover and a chain of handballs, a long range what looked to be a shot by Bobby Hill that was well read by Checkers and marked right on the side edge of the goal square. Leading to a more acutely angled kick which was handled with aplomb from about five metres out. But the type of shot so easily missed. Pies back in front and the game was heating up.

 

Enter Billy Frampton’s first centre bounce for the night vs Chol. Billy has been so good in defence, I held concerns that giving him multiple roles may affect his form. Chol was certainly able to overpower Frampton, but a Nick Daicos smother (another defensive act by Nick) kept the ball in tight and went our way. The following ball up in attack from more pressure and a hurried kick into the lap of Sidebottom. When Steele sealed the deal at the edge of 50, it gave us a 3^rd quick consecutive goal and an 11 point lead.

 

A centre clearance conceded with big Billy still in the ruck, and despite great pressure being applied, at the next throw-in, a left foot snap from Ginnivan kept the Hawks well in the contest. It also added to the spice of the game, as Ginnivan’s celebrations might be too much for even more rational Collingwood supporters.

 

The final five plus minutes of the quarter produced no scoring to us, but some fine efforts and notable themes continued. Excellent defensive work from Quaynor, another excellent mark under heat from Checkers, and an attempted hanger from Bobby. Hawthorn’s continued slow ball movement from the back 50 was evident. Was this due to Collingwood’s sustained elite pressure, or has the recruitment of Barrass and Battle made the Hawks slower and less bold when moving the ball out of defence? It has appeared to impact upon their captain’s form. Nick Watson showed how fast he likes to run when he is going towards the goals, and picked out dangerous Hardwick. Lucky for us, his kicking boots have changed since Gather Round last year when he almost pinched the game from us in the second half. His two chances tallied 0.1. Ed Allan began to show his run and dash, and penetrating kicking. To end the quarter, what looked like a certain shot for goal for us fell agonisingly short – another 2 seconds and possibly another Mihocek major. 4.1 to 3.3

 

 

Second quarter

 

10.3 (63) vs 6.3 (39)

 

The second stanza started with some wasteful kicking on the southern side of the stadium. Another intercept from Nick in close was interspersed within this passage of play.

 

Two long kicks from half back, including a great front and centre from Crispy, had Battle grabbing and pushing Billy Elliott at the edge of the goal square. Jamie made no mistake, and is proving that he should have been in the leadership group about 10 years ago and become one of the all time greats with the sort of form he is producing!

 

At the proceeding centre bounce, an advantage free kick with an unusual attempt to tackle by Pendlebury as Newcombe ran forward, handballed to serial pest Ginnivan who thumped through his third of the night from 50. It was getting to the point that we needed to call the pest control hotline!

 

Billy F spilt a chest mark bang in front of defensive goal, but fortunately we held up and cleared the danger. Captain Darcy also had some signs of rustiness and/or nerves upon return. His hands were not as sure as they were prior to injury, but the team’s defensive mindset is so strong that mistakes are often being backed up by teammates to prevent easy scores against. A contest won deep in defence is transitioned along the southern wing, and down to Billy E who is leading like a great full forward of the past. A centred kick, quick handball to Steele, and another long range goal on the run. Back to a 10 point lead. Our skill level is sharp and precise.

 

A fourth handball intercept from Nick saw us go inside 50 again, but a very solid contested mark from Barrass held us at bay. Great courage from the unheralded Harry “HP Sauce/PerryMason” Perryman cleared the ball away from their attack. Perryman’s work goes unnoticed, so much so I struggle to recognise him. Sometimes he looks like Luke Ball (the number helps), but he is a great team player who is filling the needs of our team every week. The second efforts and clean disposal through the middle lead to another goal to Billy E from 51 metres.

 

Billy F back in the ruck as we lead by 16. Can we maintain it? Hawks get some mixed luck from the umpires, and Weddle sneaks out from behind the goal posts to mark about five metres out on his chest. An easier centre clearance, and another mark in the goal square. Margin down to 4. Cameron back into the ruck, and Frampton to defence.

 

Houston gets a lucky free at centre half forward while not attacking the ball. One of the best passes of the night by Dan into the hands of Crisp at full tilt, whose shot from his preferred range hits the left post. A turnover from the kick-in, a pinpoint pass from our “best kick inside 50” Lipinski on to the chest of Checkers, and he delivers his second. Our set shot kicking is on song tonight.

 

Perryman delivers an excellent smother on a flying shot from MacDonald. Pies clear the throw-in, Hoskin-Elliott wins the ground ball, and a chain through the centre shows us at our best. Behind to Bobby. Brilliant pressure and tackling from the kick-in sees Billy E get the free, and a 50 puts him into goal scoring territory. Four to Billy, and he is on absolute fire! A brilliant centre clearance, some classy kicking and a goal to Lipinski from straight in front. A 4 goal lead with 3 minutes left. We feel like the better team but know Hawthorn will push again. But the Pies still want to score. Ned Long’s sweeping handball along the boundary takes valuable territory. We don’t want to give them a sniff of a goal.

 

My highlight of the game was when Ginnivan stood under a pass from Gunston late in the second, only for Isaac to float and soar in front of him for what was virtually an uncontested mark. Instead of hearing footsteps, perhaps Ginni could smell Isaac’s fragrance and knew he was no hope of beating Q in a 1 on 1!

 

 

Third quarter

 

14.9 (93) vs 8.5 (53)

 

Early in the third, the running and work rate of Ed Allan became evident. He linked up from half back to half forward, and almost led to a goal assist. Checkers couldn’t quite finish off with a set shot snap.

 

Newcombe hit the post, and from the kick-in, a kick to the wing set Bobby for a fly over the top of his friend Jarman Impey! After a behind from Elliott, a great series of handballs and a f50 entry from Nick into the path of Jamie, who spun on a sixpence a la Gary Ablett Sr and threaded his 5^th! It seemed very possible that he might hit a career high tonight.

 

A generous free kick in front of goal for Mihocek to give him his third of the night. A 38 point lead is starting to look beyond the Hawks. Then a chain of kicks from defensive 50 to Elliott at the edge of 50. A centred chip pass to Lipinski about 30 metres out, and Meek makes a solid attempt at a spoil. It looks perfectly legitimate, but Lipinski gets 50 to kick it from the goal line. Unfortunately, Lippa was not to return to the field due to the HIA concussion rule.

 

A 44 point lead was trimmed back at the midway point of the quarter with goals to Watson (hate those wizard hats) – Frampton into the ruck after this goal – and Gunston, who is a great player but enough goals from number 19 for Hawthorn please!!! 31 point margin at the midway point.

 

A Hawks attack, but Sicily can’t get into it. He’s clearly frustrated by his current lot.  Frampton showing poise in defence that we have not seen so clearly in past seasons. Second highlight of the game comes when Sidey runs along the southern wing, takes four bounces and makes poor Ginni chase him all the way. Felt a bit nervous at this point, as another goal or two to the Hawks before the quarter ends, and it’s a dangerous margin to lead by. A chance was presented to Ed Allan as he surged towards 50, but he handballed instead and a chance went begging. Some great pressure in the forward 50 though, leads to another goal assist for Bobby. Must be a stat he is looking to as a reward for effort and selflessness. ‘Skunk’ Membrey gets on the board, and some relief is felt. Back out to 38 point lead.

 

Our hunger and pressure to end the quarter showed just how much we want it. It reminds me of the type of whole team efforts of past premiership eras in my living memory (1990, 2010). A couple more points got us to a 40 point lead at the final break.

 

 

Fourth Quarter

 

16.11 (107) def. 8.8 (56)

 

The intensity in tackling and ball movement continued. We open our account with a goal assist from Billy E to Bobby so he could get on the scoreboard! ‘Shooter’ Schultz goes off with a minor hammy from his shot on goal. Hoping it’s not a major setback and we can get him back in about a month.

 

The pace of the game slows, and we control the tempo with ball in hand. The Hawks can’t get it through the big sticks.

 

Captain Darcy looks to getting his timing and confidence back as the game wears on. He and Howe and also Frampton have been so good at judging between spoiling and marking across this period of strong form for the Pies. Not to mention all our other reliable defenders. As I type this, I watch Howe spike one like a volleyballer.

 

DC takes a mark at half forward, because as they say in the classics, the big men don’t get any shorter. In that contest, Checkers gets his obligatory weekly pack crunching. Checkers wanders forward to the fall of DC’s kick, throws a snap on his boot as he is tackled and boots his fourth. A just reward for a champion competitor, a lion hearted player who fits the mould of Collingwood’s working class roots to a tee. A goal in every quarter to finish his night off beautifully. It’s now a 50 point margin as we head towards time on. Beating the Hawks like this just doesn’t happen very often. Hawks look out of ideas, and they are barely able to get the ball past the centre. A point to Hawthorn’s Moore after the final siren brings it back to 51 points. A cakewalk to savour!

 

Votes

 

3 – Steele Sidebottom

2 – Jamie Elliott

1 – Isaac Quaynor

 

Other players deserving of vote consideration are led by Brody Mihocek, Nick Daicos and Ned Long.

 

FP!

 

 

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