Round 23 – Carlton v Collingwood: The sweetest of sweet victories (Floreat Pica Society)

by Frank Taylor for the Floreat Pica Society

First quarter

 

Messy both sides. A lot of chances missed, Checkers had 2 shots on goal, the last very get-able. I thought for the first 20 mins it was an error-ridden game and Collingwood managed to get clear and kick 3 goals has been the difference. I think the difference basically the tackling pressure. Maynard was a stand-out with some critical marks down back. Quarter time stats tell us that Carlton had all the play, just could not convert. 0.3 to The Blues, 3.5 to us.

 

Second quarter

Opens with The Blues kicking their first within the first minute. They go back into attack only for Maynard to take another good intercept mark, some good movement through the middle and Jamie Elliott having a set shot and kicking a minor score. Our delivery into our forward line is beginning to resemble to same as our last couple of seasons with turnovers becoming the norm. Our defence is holding up, however we will not be able to get away with it forever (On a personal note, I’m expecting Doug to arrive shortly and I had just bought him a beer at 1/4 time which I have just promptly kicked over along with my 1/2 empty cup. Not good…. ). Carlton get another one – 2.3 to 3.6.

 

They seem to be getting all of the clearances and we are defending grimly down the backline who are saving us for the moment. Well… they just had a clear run for goal and kicked it out on the full. They are keeping us in it. It’s a comedy of errors – the only place where we have clear winners is along the halfback line. Finally, after a reasonable passage of play we deliver it down to the forward line where Jack Ginnivan lines up for a shot on goal. Cripes, he looks as if he is lining up for a drop punt! He kicks it. A slight swing out to the right, and the ball just curls back left to go straight through the middle. 4.6 to 2.5. Ash Johnson is disallowed a mark in the pocket below us, the ball is cleared out along the boundary, comes back, Johnson marks again and kicks a blinder from a set shot. 5.6 to 2.5.

The concern is that The Blues are winning most of the stoppages – we have to improve here. Also, our delivery into the forward zone is just not happening. Time and time again we clear it just to cough it up with a loose pass straight to the opposition. It’s becoming chronic.  Most players are guilty. Half time in a pretty messy game and it’s 5.6 to 2.5. The last 5 minutes see us beginning to improve our clearance rate however there has been some absolute clangers going forward – we could have really put Carlton to the sword in this 1st half. Thank God for our back line.

 

Third quarter

Well, press re-set and it’s back to the second quarter and The Blues kick the first in under a minute…. Two minutes later Sam Docherty kicks another and it’s 4.5 to 5.6. Five minutes later and another goal to Adam Cerra this quarter, 5.5 to 5.6, so much for our lead. Another three minutes and Charlie Curnow kicks a good one and they are in front. Carlton are dominating the clearances and are taking control in the air. It’s a worry. At the 15 minute mark, Darcy Cameron misses a shot that he would normally have for breakfast. A minute later McKay kicks one for The Blues.  At the 20 minute mark Curnow misses, however we stuff it up and Motlop crumbs a beauty. They are playing with passion and fire and we don’t seem to have any answers. They kick another minor then finally, finally Ginnivan has a shot on goal which (thankfully) he nails. Critical in the context of the game. Pies 6.7 to Blues 8.7. Carlton answer with a quick centre clearance another goal to Charlie Curnow. Bloody hell. Points to McKay and Mihocek and at the 35 minute mark, Motlop replicates his earlier snap and makes The Pies pay with 30 seconds on the clock. Three quarter time (thank goodness, it seemed to last for an eternity) and The Blues are 24 points out, 10.9 to 6.9.

To their credit, The Blues really turned it on in the third and they played all over us and well and truly deserved their lead. Some great play by them in the air and around the stoppages. Cripps is dominating. An 8 goal to one and a 24 point margin is HUGE in the context of the game. (I read later that it is the first time since 1970 that The Blues have kicked 8 goals in a third quarter and that we have never beaten The Blues when trailing by more that 20 points going into the last. (I’m glad that I did not know these facts yesterday.) The question of course is whether we can come back from here. I draw some small comfort from the Blues supporter sitting next to me who is not 100% convinced that her side can complete the task.

 

Last quarter

The first score is to The Blues, luckily a point to Curnow, it’s now a 25 point lead – a 5 shot lead… A minute later they (thankfully) score another point and it’s 26 points. Five minutes in and Ash Johnson nails it (despite not receiving a 50 metre penalty). Three minutes later after a great passage of play from the backline and we turn it over AGAIN. Well, it’s Carlton’s turn to turn it over and after some slick play, big Mason clucks a mark, has a shot on goal and nails it! Two to the good and it’s a 14 point game 11 minutes in. 8.9 to 10.11.

Collingwood’s mounting a charge now, you can feel that the game has turned and we are putting pressure on their backline.  Points to both O’Brien and McKay and another to Curnow have The Blues 17 points up and only three kicks in it at the 18 minute mark. Bad misses, however the pressure that The Pies are bringing seems to be having some real effect on the game and the Blues mindset.

I have not seen so many smothers in a game as this game, ever.

A minute later Billy Elliott takes a trademark, high flying, early career, big grab in front and duly slots it home. 9.9 to 10.14. Eleven points. The Blues are worried. Very worried. The momentum has gone 180 degrees and IT’S ON! A minute and a half later Beau McCreery kicks an amazing goal from the boundary in general play which will forever remain at the top of his highlight package. And it’s a 5 point game. You can feel the blood draining from the faces of the Carlton supporters around us as the rest of the crowd goes absolutely nuts! We’ve been here before so often this season, however I don’t think that you can really get used to it. You just have to live in the moment and let it all happen around you and try and sort it out later. The din is terrific and I just LOVE IT!!!!

The Pies are simply relentless and just will not be denied. Carlton have not given up – Cripps is just fantastic – however you can feel that their players know that they will be lucky to hang on. Deja Blue all over again.  The coup de grace comes 5 minutes later after, typically highlighting our team today, the old and the new, experience and youth……….. A flick-out/tap from Nick Daicos to Maynard in the back pocket. Maynard kicks the perfect, low, raking pass to Mr Silky who has again found space in the centre of the ground. Glances down the ground and kicks a beautifully weighted kick over the top to the 50 metre flank where Jack Ginnivan and Jamie Elliott have positioned themselves beautifully. Jack shepherds their defender to clear the way for Billy who steadies and slots it  from the pocket, 30 metres out, 50 degrees.

Done it. One point up with a minute and a half remaining. We will not lose from here – we will not be beaten.

Brutal and emphatic.

Siren sounds.

The noise and emotion are truly indescribable. I look down next to me and the young Blues supporter is in tears. I know that it is not a Grand Final, however I cannot help but think that was me 41 and 43 years ago, it is just that our jumpers are reversed. I gave her a pat on the back, I could not not do it. Then shook hands with her Collingwood boyfriend and we thanked each other for the company and the pleasure of sharing the moment and the day’s journey.

Final score: Collingwood, 11.9. 75 defeated Carlton, 10.14. 74

 

Crowd: 88,238 thereabouts

 

Best: Elliott, Sidebottom, Noble, Crisp, Quaynor, McCreery, Elliot, Ginnivan, Lipinski, De Goey, Moore……. however three need special mention. Firstly, Josh Daicos. I know that he got caught twice on centre stage, however he just did not stop and his stats say it all. Secondly, Brayden Maynard. Simply put, his first half kept us in the game. Un-passable. Thirdly, Mr Silky, Scott Pendlebury, Collingwood game record holder, our captain, captain of The Club. Unlike most did not have a turnover. Lead from the front – that last kick to Ginnivan and Elliott said it all. The icing on the cake.  I mentioned a few years ago now – young boys and girls of today, when they are old they will tell their grandchildren “I saw Scott Pendlebury play.” And their grandchildren will be in awe.

 

Reflections

How does one convey the sheer joy of this season?

How does one express the feelings of joy and deep satisfaction that a season like this when this Home and Away has finished?

 

I don’t think that, no, this season is a real classic and to win in such a slim, but EMPHATIC way – to win by ONE point over the arch rival, Carlton. Schadenfreude has taken a much, much deeper, emotional significance for me after yesterday’s contest. There is no bitterness or anger, just deep satisfaction. To deny Carlton their Finals campaign in the last two minutes of the game on the last day of the Home and Aways. And God they were good. Very, very good. They should have won, but they didn’t. In the past, I’m sure that they would have, but they didn’t. We, Collingwood, this side, this GREAT side won the day against all odds. And by winning this game we are in the top four and with it, the double chance. Who would have thought in March or April even in their wildest dreams we would finish fourth after finishing 17th – second last – last season?  Well, we have. What a fantastic season.

We have come to square the ledger. And by Crikey, I’m loving it.

 

As a former Collingwood Number 1 ticket holder, Paul Keating’s famous first line in his victory speech after an unexpected electoral success: “This is a Victory for the True Believers.”

 

Bring on The Finals.

 

Bring on Geelong.

 

This season is not over yet and I just cannot, cannot wait.

 

 

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