Round 19 – Cam Hooke’s Collingwood Life: I enjoyed that.

by Cam Hooke

True Believers, I enjoyed that; not so much at the end of Q3 and when Cripps scored at the start of Q4, but Bucks reflected that it was a ‘four-quarter’ effort against a quality side heading into the Finals.  A good result.

The Season. We are now into 2017 (I think).

Belief. Bucks: http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/video/2016-07-30/buckley-responds-to-the-win.

 

Match Reports: http://www.afl.com.au/match-centre/2016/19/coll-v-wce and http://www.theage.com.au/match-centre/afl/match-20160141903.html.

A couple of comments:

• Importance of these final games.  http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/magpies-coach-nathan-buckley-says-collingwood-careers-are-on-the-line-20160728-gqfqrl.html;
• Statistics.  The numbers shown at the Match Centre site reflect the whole game; not by Quarters.  Listening to the commentators you get a different perspective.  The total game Inside 50s and Marks inside 50 were even, though our Q1 performance established the foundation with a significant advantage. We had 8 players with Disposal Efficiency of 80% or higher; they had 6.  Overall, Clearances, Contested Possessions and Tackles favoured us substantially showing the intensity and application – well done.  And I can tend to be critical of Grundy’s ruck performance (though never his contribution around the ground) – he was dominant (and I’d love to see him and Nick Nat go head to head); and
• Talking Points. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-07-30/five-talking-points-collingwood-v-west-coast, including Moore’s performance and his ‘screamers’ at http://www.afl.com.au/#/round/CD_R201601421.  Even though he only played half the game, he was unlucky not to make the Best list – his influence early set the win up.  I still have concerns that entry to the 50 seems to still be based on huge ‘up and unders’ (necessitating these ‘screamers’) rather than low, hard passes to leading Forwards.  This is a criticism of the HF line and Mids; not the Forwards.

What did you think?

 

Other:

• VFL – Nine in a row – http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/news/2016-07-30/cox-returns-in-ninthstraight-vfl-win.  Caff and Goldsack amongst their best;
• Eddie Watch. Quiet; and

 

Reporting?  Was anyone there (or just watched it on TV)?  Ground Reports pls? Your views – do we need to start planning for 2017 – who should go?

Remember to keep an eye on the Footy Almanac – http://www.footyalmanac.com.au/.

Next:  5 August; Round 20 – Richmond at the G. And what a performance by Richmond against GWS last weekend; I’ll bet the Experts pick 23 to 1 for a Pies win. http://www.afl.com.au/match-centre/2016/20/rich-v-coll.  More on this later in the week.

 

Look to the future. Go Pies.
 
Cam

Cam. Hooke