Round 17
Gold Coast Suns vs Collingwood
Saturday July 4, 2026
People First Stadium
Having been “up and about” since 4-00am to watch the Socceroos unsuccessfully take on Egypt in the FIFA World Cup, I was very motivated to watch my beloved Pies restore order with an important win against the GCS, who were no doubt also desperate for a win having lost their past 5 matches.
I was also really keen to see another debutant for the Pies in Liam Puncher and wondered what an exciting time it must be for his family, friends and junior coaches etc seeing him line up for his first game. The fact he is 22 years old, stands at 196cm, is a key defender and has the surname Puncher added to my excitement.
With another debut pending, I reflected on the fact the Pies have copped a bit in recent seasons for having an “old” list yet there is clearly change afoot with Oscar Steene (22), Liam Puncher (22), Sam Swadling (19), Angus Anderson (23) making their debuts this year alongside Mitch Podhajski (27) and Jack Buller (25). We also have youngsters Will Hayes (20), Harvey Harrison (22) and Charlie West (20) building their careers and giving us all plenty to look forward to.
QUARTERLY HIGHLIGHTS
Q1
The very first thing I noticed in the game was Naicos wearing a bandage brace around his right elbow and it reminded me of the fact that he takes a hell of a battering week in week out and needs to be looked after for his and the team’s long term benefit. In any event, within the first minute of play Schultz executed a perfect tackle on the half forward flank, won a free kick and kicked long to Membrey in the goal square, who positioned himself perfectly for a mark and won an obvious free kick for over the shoulder and we were away in fine style.
The Pies intensity was clearly “off the scale” in the opening minutes and our efforts were highlighted by 3 disposals from JDG in the opening 3 minutes, a strong defensive mark by Billy Frampton, which reminded me how well he has played so far this season (top 5 Copeland??) and some ferocious tackling by Crisp and McCreery. All of this resulted in a Membrey pass to Harrsion at CHF and our second goal was on the board after 4 minutes of play.
We soon had another opportunity for a goal after Jack Buller took a good strong mark after a pin point pass from Jaicos only to kick a behind from 40m directly in front. Kicking for goal has become a bit of an issue for Jack in recent weeks.
GCS got their first goal 5 minutes later after a free was paid against Puncher for marking interference but I really thought he was hard done by and was in fact interfered with by a second GCS player running straight into him, while trying to spoil Jed Walter. Tough start!!
Sidey was then very unlucky after he kicked, what could only be described as a typically clever “Sidey goal” which was then disallowed because the ball was deemed to have touched a GCS fingernail. It was at this point that I first noticed how happy Jason Dunstall seemed to be every time something went against the Pies. I thought he was supposed to be an unbiased commentator but perhaps he is still cranky after being constantly pinched by Craig Kelly years ago!!??
This disallowed goal was offset shortly thereafter when Bruzzy collected a GCS clearance kick on the run through the middle of the ground and presented Crispy with a beautiful, 45m pass, laces out just near the 50m mark. Jack then went back and kicked a beautiful set shot and registered his 100 th goal for the Pies.
My highlight for the quarter was the “coast to coast” goal, that started with a Naicos kick-in to Long, who handballed to Houston, who, on the run, placed a beautiful kick to Angry Anderson, who was composed enough to take a nice mark 55m out, play on and kick accurately from 45m for a great team goal.
We also had a great “coast to coast” behind, which started with another Naicos kick-in.
Scores: Pies 4.4.28 GCS 3.2.20
Quarter best: Jaicos, Crisp, JDG, Houston, Naicos, Frampton
Q2
The beginning of the second quarter was a worrying period as Petracca kicked a goal from nowhere out of a pack, GCS then got another goal after we failed to kill the ball deep in defence and then Dan Houston was “clean bowled” by a ground ball at CHB, that ended up with GCS and their third goal in about as many minutes.
JDG was rewarded with a free kick 45m out on an easy angle and missed. Our missed goals just kill me a times!!!
Angry Anderson then just somewhat casually came off the bench, strolled into the play unmanned and kicked a really nice 30m banana goal, which restored our composure and rested some of the momentum away from GCS.
Minutes later, Dan Houston gathered the ball in the centre square area and drove a long penetrating kick forward, which Sidey judged better than anyone for a chest mark and goal. It was quite an unusual scenario and I have decided that it was indeed a contested mark, which is, to my mind, significant. Sidey has taken 1,817 marks in his career and with my decision his Contested Mark tally now sits at 64!!!
We then entered a period of several incredibly frustrating errors with set shots from Membrey and Harrison missing and then a reckless turnover courtesy of Lippa. My hand notes of the match record “do not share exactly what I’m thinking with FPS”. Enough said.
Shortly thereafter and with great surprise, the recently underperforming Dan McStay bobbed up with a mark only 25m from goal and directly in front. I could not recall even thinking about him prior to this point in the game. I did notice after this goal that Naicos was very enthusiastic in his praise of Dan, no doubt trying to lift his confidence and get him more involved. He wouldn’t have to wait long.
A game highlight occurred when Bruzzy dispossessed a Suns player with a typical tackle (you’ve been Bruzzied!!), then in a second effort got the ball to Naicos, who took three bounces at full speed along the wing and hit McStay with a perfect “outside of the foot” pass. The piece of play was so good that it made one of the commentators actually laugh in awe of what they had just witnessed. McStay went back and kicked a nice goal on a challenging angle. WOW what a passage of play!!!
Of course as everyone now knows, the game then erupted into a significant scuffle just prior to half time with players from both sides engaging in some seriously rough play. Bruzzy was hit from behind by a Ben Long shoulder, which will no doubt get looked at by the AFL.
Once the half time siren did sound Bruzzy made a bee line for Ben Long and the place just blew up. Irrespective of who did what to who etc, what I did notice was that Sam Swadling took it upon himself to grab Bruzzy and lead him away from the action and give him some advice on how to behave. After all Sam was playing in his 3 rd game!! At the time of the brawl, I did think Bruzzy was going to be in serious trouble for umpire contact but having seen some different camera angles, the pushing by some GCS players and their own contact with the umpire, it seems to make for a less confronting scenario. We shall see.
Scores: Pies 8.9.57 GCS 7.3.45
Quarter best: Naicos, McStay, Lipinski, Houston, Howe
Q3
I found myself really distracted when play recommenced in the third quarter. I was thinking a lot about the half time fight still and this wasn’t helped by what was a pretty flat period of play. That is, until Naicos stepped into the frame and kicked a pack goal from nowhere. OK time to refocus!!!
Three GCS goals to King, Long and Anderson had us well on the back foot and all the momentum seemed to be in the wrong direction and we had lost the lead for the first time since early in the second quarter. Dan McStay then competed at the centre bounce, won possession and kicked a floater down to the half forward are where Schultz gathered the ball, fired off a handball to Swadling, who goaled under pressure from about 40m. It really was a nice piece of play and reinforced the
potential this young player has.
Minutes later McCreery looked to have a kicked smothered off his boot, which was marked by Ben King, who then received a 50m penalty as Dan Houston failed to stand the mark near the middle of the ground. A gift goal resulted.
Just prior to half time Lipinksi, Allan and Sidebottom all combined to get he ball out to a running Naicos, who jagged the ball sharply with his left foot across his body for a pin point pass to Membrey for a goal 1 minute prior to the break.
During the third quarter, I watched Bruzzy closely to see how badly he had been hurt in the half time rumble and it was pretty clear from the wholehearted nature of his tackling that he was either perfectly ok or on a significant dose of pain killers!!
Scores: Pies 11.13.79 GCS 11.6.72
Quarter best: Membrey, Naicos, Jaicos, Long, Cameron
Q4
The quarter started well with an efficient piece of play started with a Naicos pass from deep in defence to Crisp and then involved Jaicos and McStay and eventually Membrey, who was unguarded and able to kick his third goal for the game. Tim Membrey seems to cop a bit of flack from our supporters but I think he has been more than serviceable for us. He is a big strong forward target, has strong hands and is usually very reliable when shooting for goal. He has kicked 52 goals for us in 35 games and averages 4.5 marks per game. Most of those taken in the forward line.
My anxiety levels started to elevate as we progressed into the quarter and were not helped by King getting very clear of Billy to take a mark and goal from about the exact spot we had regularly missed earlier opportunities (JDG, Harrison, Buller).
Our lead was only 7 points and then that man McStay bobbed up for a kick along the ground, which travelled for 40m before going through for a goal. The highlight of this play was the efforts of Buller and Membrey, on the wing, in keeping the ball alive. Buller’s bump on the GCS player was one of his few “moments” for the night but it was a good one. We were now up by 13 pts and another goal shortly thereafter to Schultz had us up by 19pts. I kept asking myself “Are we safe yet?’
No we were not as the GCS scored two quick goals and the margin was again back at 6 pts with 10 mins of play remaining. That was enough time for anything to happen and my anxiety was high as evidenced by that fact that, today, my handwritten notes are very difficult to read!!
We then had a period of some really sound defence from our players. Everyone played a role and looked like they knew exactly what to do, which must be great reward for Fly. Ben King was “Bruzzied” in a fierce tackle one metre from goal and we looked like we were going to hang on. Harrison missed a set shot he should have nailed and then with four minutes remaining Lippa kicked a huge snap goal from a ball up and the margin was now 13 pts. Surely???
GCS missed a golden opportunity to score a goal with 1 minute remaining and even I thought we were “home” until Ben Long, of all people, out marked Bruzzy and kicked a really nice goal with only 24 seconds left on the clock. At a second centre square ball up and with 19 seconds left on the clock, Naicos was tackled high, won the free and the game was won. I was pretty exhausted by now but had enough left for an emphatic fist pump and massive “Go Pies, you bloody ripper!!”
FINAL SCORES Pies 15.14.104 GCS 15.8.98
MATCH BEST PLAYERS: Naicos, Jaicos, Membrey, Allan, Frampton, Crisp, Long
Observations:
Darcy Cameron was unspectacular but makes a seriously committed approach week in week out. His competitive nature is second to none and I think a lot of his blocking and tackling around packs and ability to create clearances areas for our smaller players often goes unnoticed.
Dan Houston makes me frustrated at times. He can play like an AA superstar one minute and then appear disinterested the next. He was out marked by a small player on the wing and then chose not to chase at one stage and we just can’t afford that. I think Fly likes him.
I’m very excited by Sam Swadling and reckon he is going to make a big contribution in the future.
Beau McCreery played ok again but I really expect more from him. He’s a super athlete and runs like a bull but 12 disposals, 5 tackles and 193m gained is “unders” from my perspective. Tasmania is going to pay him $1m per year???
Whilst I would prefer to see him playing, there was something reassuring watching Pendles on the bench all wired up like a specialist coach!!! I hope he’s back next week but definitely for the Carlton game in 2 weeks.
GOLD COAST 3.2 7.3 11.6 15.8 (98)
COLLINGWOOD 4.4 8.9 11.13 15.14 (104)
GOALS
Gold Coast: King 3, Humphrey 3, Long 2, Walter, Read, Petracca, Patterson, Lombard, Anderson, Z.Uwland
Collingwood: Membrey 3, McStay 3, Anderson 2, Swadling, Sidebottom, Schultz, Lipinski, Harrison, N.Daicos, Crisp
BEST
Gold Coast: B.Uwland, Miller, Z.Uwland, Petracca, Noble, Collins
Collingwood: N.Daicos, Membrey, J.Daicos, Howe, Allan, Frampton
INJURIES
Gold Coast: Nil
Collingwood: Nil
Crowd: 21,072
MALARKEY VOTES:
3 – Naicos
2 – Jaicos
1 – Allan
Read other round 17 match reports HERE
Read more from the Floreat Pica Society HERE
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