Round 19 – Collingwood v Essendon: Footyism

 

 

 

 

God must have had a time machine when Sunday was allocated as a day of rest for Christians. A time for people alike to observe the practices of their religion. ‘Footyism’ is the same. We work hard during the week, and practice our beliefs at the week’s end. Sunday afternoons in 2022 have produced some all-time classics, and generated some huge crowds. Carlton and Hawthorn attracted 66,000 fans in Round 3, whilst Collingwood’s clash with the Blues saw 80,000 cram into Melbourne’s sporting fortress. The Collingwood and Essendon football clubs are two of the biggest establishments within the tentpoles of this ‘religion’. These passionate and devoted groups turn up week in, week out…there should be a bumper crowd.

 

 

If Collingwood want to be a premiership contender, we have to get some percentage on the board. But today won’t be an easy feat by any stretch of the imagination. Whilst the Pies have won eight in a row, the Bombers are turning it on at the right time. Wins against St Kilda, Sydney, Brisbane and Gold Coast in their last five weeks have me worried about our chances this week. All week I have felt defeated, thinking that Essendon will have our measure. A team can only go full throttle for so long, and our fuel is running out. Close, come from behind wins against Hawthorn, Gold Coast, North Melbourne and Adelaide have placed more and more doubt into my mind.

 

 

We began the game in the best possible fashion. Pendlebury provided that captain’s touch to start proceedings, before Darcy Cameron marked and converted. Then it was the Ash Johnson show. Three first quarter goals sent the ‘G into a frenzy. But when Josh Daicos managed to split the defence close to the line, the masses began to rise. Watching him stream down the flank gave me Buddy Franklin v Cale Hooker vibes. As Daicos got closer to goal, the encouragement got more intense. Like Bucks said about Leon Davis’ 2008 goal of the year, the goal was the easiest part of the play. This colosseum erupted in awe of Macedonian Marvel the Second. There was a deafening applause when the original Macedonian Marvel was displayed on the big screens. Peter Daicos can only be described as Footyism’s Jesus (well at least for Collingwood supporters…). The goals he mustered could only be described as sheer miracles. A 37-point lead at quarter time is the exact statement we needed to make. Our pressure has been through the roof and Essendon had no answers.

 

 

Maybe I spoke too soon. After one of our best quarters for the season, the second quarter was one of our worst. The Bombers ran completely over the top of us, and whatever chances Collingwood had, the overuse of handball was their detriment. Even the solitary goal for the Pies in the second quarter almost resulted in a turnover for that very reason. Despite the dismay, we led by 13 points at the main break.

 

 

The third term produced the same dramas as the second. A single major, again coming from Mihocek did the bare minimum to cushion the dominance of the Bombers. Sam Draper ran amok against the Pies; he took marks at both ends of the ground and even slotted through a banana. This time we surrendered our lead. 14 points separated the sides, and the top four chances of the boys in black and white were evaporating rapidly.

 

 

As Guelfi put through his second, the harsh reality of our eight-game winning streak being put to the sword looks ever more likely…still more so when Maynard was subbed out. Enter Josh Carmichael. Some brave ball movement had us in bewilderment, but nevertheless it resulted in the medical sub executing to perfection from range. In the space of three minutes, we are back within two points. More pressure and a bold style of football has got us back into this game. Elliott added himself to the scoresheet, whilst Carmichael sent the crowd into chaotic raptures once again. Although we keep on finding ways to create opportunities, Essendon continue to pull the door closed. A slip from Jeremy Howe in the defensive 50 had me reminisce of Steven Gerrard’s infamous slip against Chelsea in 2014. If Harry Jones converts truly, we will have let our top four hopes slip. Collingwood fans around me think that all hope is lost, but I remain optimistic. The last few games have proven that we are a different beast in last quarters. An accurate 45-metre kick from directly in front stands in between Essendon and a mighty victory. But the left goal post favours the team in black and white, as so too the ball which left the foot of Jones favours it. Are the footy gods on our side once again?

 

 

Pendlebury, Moore, Bianco. It’s like the crowd are willing a horse on at the Melbourne Cup. Bianco’s kick to a two-on-one has my heart in my mouth…but he threaded it beautifully, and found Elliott. The 30 second board held aloft from the interchange bench makes my heart beat that extra bit faster. How long can we continue to play the get out of jail free card? It’s as if Collingwood have stolen from both the Chance and Community Chest decks of Monopoly and used them onfield. This kick could not be any more difficult, especially considering it will be after the siren. The siren rings out around the ground, shocking those who haven’t already pulled out their phones to check how long is left. As I watched the goal umpire pedal further and further back, I became more confident of the ball’s trajectory. But once the players started running out, and the crowd went berserk, I knew we had a last card stashed away. Another miracle fleshed out for the Collingwood Football Club.

 

The second level of the Shane Warne stand begins to rock, housing the wildest celebrations I have ever experienced at a footy game (and I went to the 2018 Preliminary Final!).

 

This is what Footyism is about. Uniting together on a Sunday, and watching a match from the top shelf.

 

 

 

COLLINGWOOD               6.2      7.4      8.5      12.8 (80)
ESSENDON                 0.1      5.3      10.7    11.10 (76)

 

GOALS
Collingwood: Johnson 3, Carmichael, Elliott, Mihocek 2, Cameron, J.Daicos, Pendlebury
Essendon: Wright 3, Guelfi 2, Draper, Jones, Langford, Martin, Phillips, Stringer

 

BEST
Collingwood: J.Daicos, Crisp, Adams, Howe, Lipinski, Pendlebury
Essendon: Merrett, Shiel, Draper, Wright, Heppell, Durham

 

 

 

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