Collingwood v Brisbane
7:35pm, Saturday August 2nd
MCG
It isn’t easy coming back to football after injury. There is the worry that you come back too soon. There are fears that you might exacerbate the condition. Concern that you may not be able to perform at your best. These were a few of my thoughts as I made my return to the MCG for the first time post-surgery – a total knee replacement on the 25th of June. My third joint replacement after a hip in 2016 and another in 2024. Do not get stuck behind me in the queue going through security at the airport. It could take some time.
No trains running through Jolimont so it was train then tram then a walk up from Rod Laver Arena – maybe the netball might be a better option. A pre-game beer in the Frank Gray Smith with Geelong-supporting wife Helen and oldest son Bill. In the seats we meet up with Collingwood-supporting daughter Audrey. Crikey these seats are close together. The knee flex is still not what it should be. My right leg intrudes into the space in front of Helen’s seat until I realise the seat on the other side is not going to be occupied so I make use of that vacancy.
A few weeks earlier I had made the observation that Oleg Markov should not be selected again. He was duly dropped but recalled that same week because of another injury. He is still in the team. Surely he will be sub. No – they have gone with the returning Bobby Hill. Hardly a versatile play-in-any-position option as sub.
My general rule is to not watch a replay of a loss. I have to make an exception for the purpose of this report. Hoskin-Elliot’s early shot for goal is a pattern setter for the remainder of the game. It doesn’t make the distance. The first goal for the Pies and for the game comes after a good Lachie Schultz mark. The first two Brisbane goals come from a bloke I have never heard of but of whom I see too much as the game progresses – Logan Morris. You want a useless statistic I learned this morning? He is the youngest player to kick six goals at the MCG since Buddy Franklin.
Why is it that non-entities seem to be able to kick a bag against the Pies? The only consolation on this occasion was that his opponent wasn’t Darcy Moore. The quarter continues with Brisbane retaining possession up their end of the ground. Not for the last time does Nick Daicos try to do too much. And not for the last time does a Brisbane player drop their knees and duck their head to enjoy an ill-deserved free kick. This one was mid field. Examples later in the game led to goals. Three goals in a row to the Lions before the Pies get their second to Nick Daios.
Unfortunately, Brisbane kick two more to go into the first break with a 20 point lead.
Our seats are on the forward flank/pocket at the City End. As the second quarter gets going, I would be happy for the majority of play to be up the other end just as it was first quarter. My hope is rewarded with five of the first six goals of the quarter. The first is to McStay who is in the right position to take advantage of Elliot’s around the corner which doesn’t make the distance. St Kilda reject Membrey gets the second from a free kick. A Brisbane goal brings a reply to the returning De Goey. Sidey gets the first of his two for the game then Jamie puts the Pies in front for the first time since early – the pass coming from Crisp, who was a Brisbane player the most recent time they defeated the Pies at the ‘G back in 2014. A behind to Collingwood and we lead by five. The last goal of the quarter is Morris’ third. It puts them a point in front at half time. We do not regain the lead.
The second half is dismal. We kick just three goals. Continuing to kick long bombs into the forward line allows Brisbane to continue taking intercept marks. Our spreading defence continues to fail to stop Brisbane progressing forward. We had it our forward half early but failed to reap any dividends. The first goal of the half comes to that bloke Morris. And the second – his fifth. Sidey’s brilliant pass to Mihocek results in his only one for the game and our only one for the quarter. Later in the quarter De Goey is subbed out for Bobby Hill. Two more Brisbane goals see them go into three quarter time with a 19 point lead.
Can I hope for a repeat of the pattern that the team going to the Punt Rd end dominates the quarter? The answer is yes – I can hope.
Unfortunately, hope is not enough. Reality is that we were never really a threat. That was even more evident when Brisbane’s Hipwood was taking marks and getting kicks. There is a slight sniff when Bobby takes a screamer from a Will Ashcroft kick backwards to Dane Zorko. The margin is back to 15 points and there is plenty of time. The Brisbane reply is too quick. From Rayner who very stupidly took advantage but somehow dribbled it through. The next Brisbane goal is from another of those ducking the head frees which should never be paid. Sidebottom’s second for the match (he is our only multiple goal kicker for the game) somehow does not inspire a Collingwood comeback. There was still half a quarter to play but the Pies could make no further dent.
Our third loss in four games. Our next two – we come off a five-day break to meet the Hawks at the ‘G before we travel to SA to meet Adelaide – are both eminently losable. It wasn’t that long ago we enjoyed a 10 point break at the top of the ladder. We now sit second but are very insecure.
There is talk that the training load has been high of late. Maybe that was a miscalculation of our situation. Losses to Freo and Gold Coast were not part of the plan. On the other hand, a top four position is achievable. Win our last three and we finish on top. Easy. Brisbane have won coming off a bad loss to the Suns. We can come respond to this loss with some good football. There are still good players to come back. We still sit high on the ladder. We can still do this.
COLLINGWOOD 2.2 7.3 8.5 10.5 (65)
BRISBANE 5.4 7.4 11.6 14.8 (92)
GOALS
Collingwood: Sidebottom 2, Schultz, N.Daicos, McStay, Membrey, De Goey, Elliott, Mihocek, Hill
Brisbane: Morris 6, Smith 3, Rayner, Bailey 2, Wilmot
BEST
Collingwood: N.Daicos, Sidebottom, J.Daicos, Schultz, Pendlebury
Brisbane: McCluggage, Morris, Neale, Dunkley, W.Ashcroft
Crowd: 82,326 at the MCG
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Morriss is hardly a nobody, premiership player and has had a very good year.
Henry Smith I can understand your thoughts.