Round 18 – Adelaide v Collingwood: They’ve won me over (Floreat Pica Society)

 

By Damian Balassone for the Floreat Pica Society

 

 

By the time I get to my brother-in-law’s joint to watch the game on Kayo, Adelaide have three goals on the board.  I’m almost glad I’ve missed the first 10 minutes. I had a sneaking suspicion that our luck would run out this week, so I’m not too perturbed. Six wins by 11 points or less this season, as well as 17 point win against St Kilda in Round 1 in which they hit the front in the last quarter, and a 26 point win against the Dees on Her Majesty’s Birthday in which we only broke away in the last five minutes, has meant that this gutsy team of ours owes us absolutely nothing, and are probably due to drop one sooner or later. Despite the Crows being low on the ladder, I think all would agree that Adelaide in Adelaide is never easy, particularly in wet and windy conditions, and with the zealous locals cheering them on for an upset win against the most hated club in the land. We also seem to have quite a few out: JDG, Adams (who would have thrived in these conditions), Quaynor (the iron fist), not to mention Grundy (who we have covered well thus far) and also Henry’s omission (he seems to kick big goals when it matters).

 

But somehow we work our way back into the game and kick the next four. A great snap by Mihocek and a bizarre half-volley goal by Sidebottom from a ball up in the goal square being the highlights. I must confess I’ve never seen a goal like Sidey’s before – somehow it missed all the Crow defenders in the goal square. Johnson also chimes in and kicks an impressive goal on debut, shrugging off two defenders in the process. Nick Daicos and Pendlebury (in his 350th) are among the best players in these terrible conditions. Players are dropping marks and fumbling left right and centre. It really is a territory game.

 

We continue where we left off in the second term and extend the lead to 10 points after another brilliant soccer goal (this time by Cameron)…but the Crows seem to dominate the rest of the quarter and indeed most of the third, re-taking the lead and stretching it to 16 points late in the third term. They certainly look like the better team. Walker is on fire. Murphy is a lively small forward. And Laird is racking up the possessions in the middle. A very strange 50 metre against Cox adds to our woes. Even the commentators are confused.

 

Somehow against the flow of play, we manage to find a couple of goals late in the third term. Ginnivan kicks an angle goal from a set shot (13 in a row this season, I believe) and then N.Daicos and Pendlebury combine beautifully. We look like we’ve got them in the last quarter. Johnson coolly slots a goal under pressure (a good sign), N.Daicos kicks another ripper, and then Elliott kicks a wonderful goal over his shoulder. This puts us 16 points up with six minutes left and it looks as though we have emerged from this soggy arm wrestle as victors. But ladies and gents, this is Collingwood 2022. Just wait. Adelaide kick two goals in thirty seconds (Walker and Murphy again) and suddenly the margin is back to four points. Another heart stopper. I keep telling myself that this mob owes us nothing, giving their record in close games this year, so I prepare for the worst. There are some very hairy moments…but somehow we slog it out and hold on for another five point victory. Magnificent.

 

Nick Daicos (40 possessions and three goals) plays the game of his life.  His quick decision-making under pressure is phenomenal. Pendlebury is glorious in his 350th with 28 touches and a team-lifting goal. Lipinksi got better as the game went on.  Carmichael seemed to be in everything. And the backline as a whole stood up when challenged (collectively they are just working so well together – even though Walker and Murphy hit the scoreboard).  Sidebottom was lively at times and dangerous when gravitating forward. Bianco was also handy in his first game back in a while. Though Crisp seems a little down on form – I wonder if Nick Daicos might challenge him for the Copeland now. Eight wins in a row for this mob.  It really has been a ripper season – no matter what happens from now, they’ve won me over.

 

 

 

ADELAIDE               3.2     7.6    10.8    13.8 (86)
COLLINGWOOD      4.1     6.3    10.5    14.7 (91)

 

GOALS
Adelaide: Walker 5, Murphy 3, Fogarty 2, Thilthorpe, McAdam, Hinge
Collingwood: N.Daicos 3, Mihocek 2, Johnson 2, Sidebottom, Cameron, McCreery, Ginnivan, Pendlebury, Carmichael, Elliott

 

BEST

Adelaide: Laird, Walker, Dawson, Berry, Thilthorpe, Murphy
Collingwood: N.Daicos, Pendlebury, Maynard, Carmichael, Cameron, Lipinski

 

 

 

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