Round 14 – Collingwood v Hawthorn: Remembering Walshy

 

I don’t think anyone can forget Friday morning. Waking up to the news of Phil Walsh’s tragic murder came to a shock to everyone in the footballing community. I don’t think you can really imagine the pain and turmoil that his family and friends would be going through. Especially, his Adelaide Crows players who were struck with this untimely loss.

 

Football still went ahead on this dark weekend. Round 14 had kicked off and a blockbuster between Collingwood and Hawthorn was in waiting on a cold Friday night at the MCG. Going to the footy for the first time in a few months was a strange feeling, but sitting alongside your mates watching one of the games of the rounds is priceless. I knew that this time going into this match, Collingwood actually had a shot knocking off the reigning premiers. Both sides locked up on 32 points with only percentage the key difference maker.

 

Collingwood made two changes with Tyson Goldsack and Paul Seedsman pulling out of the side, replaced by two debutants. The much talked about pick number 9, Darcy Moore (son of Peter) and young half-back Brayden Maynard. Hawthorn welcomed back Cyril Rioli and cult hero Matt Spangher along with tall Ryan Schoenmakers to replace Jarryd Roughead, James Frawley and Billy Hartung. Some big in’s to replace some huge out’s.

 

Olympic Stand, level 4 and brilliant seats. Nothing better for a great game of football. When both sides came out on to the ground there was an eerie feeling of no banners or songs playing as a sign of respect for Phil Walsh. The minute of silence was moving and there was a sombre feeling around the ground. Shortly after, we were underway.

 

The first quarter was an end-to-end scrap fight as Liam Shiels and Jordan De Goey exchanged goals at either end to get the game underway. Before Rioli and Breust slammed on two quick set shot goals to get the Hawks up by two goals. Collingwood didn’t let up as White and Broomhead kicked two massive goals either side of Schoenmakers to put the Pies within touching distance at quarter time. The feeling of confidence about this game was oozing through my veins as I knew we may have a shot at the unthinkable.

 

The second quarter was one full of momentum swings which I honestly thought when Hawthorn slammed three quick goals to start the second that it was all but over. However, a moment of brilliance from Cloke as he gathered, gave the don’t argue to Duryea and slotted a brilliant goal to keep the Pies in the game. Adams and Swan then pulled back some late goals either side of a Rioli sausage roll to keep the game alive going into half time. I had this feeling at half-time that the usual Collingwood capitulation in the second half was coming. Hawthorn just seemed like they were on top of us and it felt almost certain that our side wouldn’t be able to withstand their pressure.

 

A Jack Crisp special at the start of the 3^rd kept our hopes alive but the nightmare of that dreaded quarter was about to begin. After Gunston put Hawthorn up by 13, Collingwood had the next 5 scoring shots. Only kicking one which came back to haunt us after a superb Bradley Hill counter attack lead to a Breust goal at three-quarter time. Pies were down by 9 going into the final change. My frustration was boiling over the top as we had kicked 2 goals and 9 behinds in that quarter but couldn’t seem to take control of the scoreboard. We had Hawthorn on the ropes.

 

The final quarter was intense. Three quick goals to Swan, White and Blair put the Pies up by 9 with ten minutes played in the last. However, heartbreak was bound to happen. Rioli kicked his 5^th and Suckling put the Hawks back ahead. My favourite son (jokes), Jesse White had the chance to put us ahead for the SECOND time in a week. He missed again. Breust sealed the deal. Hawthorn win by 11.

 

Collingwood showed they could stick it with the best but their composure let them down in key moments. A beautiful gesture after the game when the players linked arms showed the true nature of the game. Remembering Walshy was the key theme. The game wasn’t the main focus, the football didn’t matter. It was about the coming together of the footballing community.

 

Match Details:

 

COLLINGWOOD    3.5   7.7   9.16   12.19 (91)

HAWTHORN          4.2   8.5   12.7   15.11 (101)

 

GOALS:

Collingwood: White 2, Swan 2, De Goey, Broomhead, Williams, Cloke, Adams, Crisp, Fasolo, Blair

Hawthorn: Rioli 5, Breust 3, Shiels 2, Gunston 2, Schoenmakers, Smith, Suckling

 

BEST

Collingwood: Pendlebury, Sidebottom, Varcoe, Williams, Crisp, Adams,

Hawthorn: Rioli, Lewis, Mitchell, Hill, Shiels, Smith

 

Umpires: Rosebury, Jeffery, Mollison

 

Official crowd: 75,880 at the MCG

 

Votes: Pendlebury 3 (COLL), Rioli 2 (HAW), Lewis 1 (HAW)