Optimax
12 Jun 2008, 17:13
Mid-season report: Collingwood
By Jennifer Witham 2:03 PM Thu 12 June, 2008
Overall mark: B+
Win-loss: 7-4 WLWLLWLWWWW
Ladder position: Sixth
Leading possession winner: Dane Swan 275 disposals
Leading goalkicker: Paul Medhurst 29 goals
Season so far
Collingwood's start to the season resembled a roller-coaster ride. Six goals to Anthony Rocca and a 26-point win over Fremantle opened their season, and it appeared as though the Pies had lost little of their 2007 finals form. In round two, they were brave to be pipped at the post in the wet at the Gabba, but responded admirably a week later with a 44-point win over Richmond.
A disappointing loss to Carlton in round four started what would be a poor run as they fell to North Melbourne and Hawthorn. But the month was punctuated by a boosting Anzac Day triumph over Essendon.
In the past four rounds, the Pies have been back to their best. A flashy nine-point win over St Kilda in round eight showed the club still had what it took to make the finals, but no one expected the result that would eventuate the following week. The Pies smashed the premiers Geelong by 86 points at the MCG, with Travis Cloke booting four and Dane Swan at his ball-getting best. Since then, a big win over West Coast and a gritty victory over a fired-up Melbourne side have followed.
Best win
It's hard to go past Collingwood's round-nine thumping of premiers Geelong at the MCG. It was a freezing night, the Magpies were coming off a win but were by no means in convincing form after being smashed by Hawthorn the round before, and the Cats had not lost at the MCG since round eight, 2006.
But, the Pies' recent form against Geelong shone through again as the side matched up strongly alongside an almost-full strength line-up. It was Collingwood back at its pressuring best, out-muscling the Cats with 85 to 49 tackles, and recording an 86-point thumping.
B&F leader
After the standard 'year after the knee reconstruction' in 2007, Alan Didak wasn't as prolific as he had been the season before when he claimed his first best and fairest award. This year, the sublimely talented forward has been in tremendous touch, booting 18 goals and averaging nearly 23 disposals a game.
A push further up the ground has seen Didak collect career-high possessions (29 v North Melbourne) in round five, and he was awesome against West Coast with 28 touches and three goals. He's ranked second in club possessions (behind Dane Swan) and third in goals, and has been instrumental in the Pies' recent form.
That said, Swan must be hot on his heels.
Surprise packet
It's been a baptism of fire for young defender Nathan Brown, with the 19-year-old taking on some of the best forwards in the competition following the retirement of James Clement and the long-term injury sustained by Simon Prestigiacomo.
He was given the task on Matthew Pavlich first up, and went on to tackle players such as Jonathan Brown, Matthew Richardson, Matthew Lloyd, Brendan Fevola and Lance Franklin. He was nominated for the NAB Rising Star in round 10, and has shown maturity beyond his years to tackle such prolific names with composure, while earning the confidence of the coaching staff.
Missing in Action big forwards
Travis Cloke aside, its the big forwards who have been missing in action for the Magpies this year.
Rocca has been struggling with an ankle problem and has played just seven games, with Mick Malthouse stating after round 11 the spearhead is not likely to return before the mid-season break.
To compound to this problem, emerging forward Sean Rusling suffered a devastating blow in round one when he popped his troublesome shoulder for the third time. The young gun will miss the rest of the year, with the Pies hoping fellow youngster Ben Reid can make an impact in the second half should Rocca continue to struggle.
Coach's award (one-percenter player)
The much-maligned older Shaw brother, Rhyce, has been enjoying a solid season so far, having been somewhat reinvented as a run-with player in the early stages of the year. At 26 and having overcome injury and form problems, as well as being the subject of trade discussions at the end of last year, Shaw has cemented his place in the senior side this year and is currently ranked fourth in possessions at the club.
He has become a reliable member of the line-up this year after a handful of difficult seasons, and was one of the Pies' best in their win over Geelong with seven tackles.
Second-half story lines
Can the Magpies keep up their promising form and avoid the dreaded mid-year dip that has plagued their seasons since 2004?
When will Rocca return, and how influential will he be if he does?
How big a selection dilemma will Simon Prestigiacomo present when he overcomes his foot problem after the break, with the defensive structure currently working well and Shane Wakelin in form?
The run home:
Round 12 Carlton at the MCG
Round 13 Western Bulldogs at Telstra Dome
Round 14 Sydney at Telstra Stadium
Round 15 Adelaide at the MCG
Round 16 North Melbourne at Telstra Dome
Round 17 Essendon at the MCG
Round 18 Hawthorn at the MCG
Round 19 St Kilda at the MCG
Round 20 Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium
Round 21 Sydney at Telstra Dome
Round 22 Fremantle at Subiaco
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily of the clubs or the AFL.
By Jennifer Witham 2:03 PM Thu 12 June, 2008
Overall mark: B+
Win-loss: 7-4 WLWLLWLWWWW
Ladder position: Sixth
Leading possession winner: Dane Swan 275 disposals
Leading goalkicker: Paul Medhurst 29 goals
Season so far
Collingwood's start to the season resembled a roller-coaster ride. Six goals to Anthony Rocca and a 26-point win over Fremantle opened their season, and it appeared as though the Pies had lost little of their 2007 finals form. In round two, they were brave to be pipped at the post in the wet at the Gabba, but responded admirably a week later with a 44-point win over Richmond.
A disappointing loss to Carlton in round four started what would be a poor run as they fell to North Melbourne and Hawthorn. But the month was punctuated by a boosting Anzac Day triumph over Essendon.
In the past four rounds, the Pies have been back to their best. A flashy nine-point win over St Kilda in round eight showed the club still had what it took to make the finals, but no one expected the result that would eventuate the following week. The Pies smashed the premiers Geelong by 86 points at the MCG, with Travis Cloke booting four and Dane Swan at his ball-getting best. Since then, a big win over West Coast and a gritty victory over a fired-up Melbourne side have followed.
Best win
It's hard to go past Collingwood's round-nine thumping of premiers Geelong at the MCG. It was a freezing night, the Magpies were coming off a win but were by no means in convincing form after being smashed by Hawthorn the round before, and the Cats had not lost at the MCG since round eight, 2006.
But, the Pies' recent form against Geelong shone through again as the side matched up strongly alongside an almost-full strength line-up. It was Collingwood back at its pressuring best, out-muscling the Cats with 85 to 49 tackles, and recording an 86-point thumping.
B&F leader
After the standard 'year after the knee reconstruction' in 2007, Alan Didak wasn't as prolific as he had been the season before when he claimed his first best and fairest award. This year, the sublimely talented forward has been in tremendous touch, booting 18 goals and averaging nearly 23 disposals a game.
A push further up the ground has seen Didak collect career-high possessions (29 v North Melbourne) in round five, and he was awesome against West Coast with 28 touches and three goals. He's ranked second in club possessions (behind Dane Swan) and third in goals, and has been instrumental in the Pies' recent form.
That said, Swan must be hot on his heels.
Surprise packet
It's been a baptism of fire for young defender Nathan Brown, with the 19-year-old taking on some of the best forwards in the competition following the retirement of James Clement and the long-term injury sustained by Simon Prestigiacomo.
He was given the task on Matthew Pavlich first up, and went on to tackle players such as Jonathan Brown, Matthew Richardson, Matthew Lloyd, Brendan Fevola and Lance Franklin. He was nominated for the NAB Rising Star in round 10, and has shown maturity beyond his years to tackle such prolific names with composure, while earning the confidence of the coaching staff.
Missing in Action big forwards
Travis Cloke aside, its the big forwards who have been missing in action for the Magpies this year.
Rocca has been struggling with an ankle problem and has played just seven games, with Mick Malthouse stating after round 11 the spearhead is not likely to return before the mid-season break.
To compound to this problem, emerging forward Sean Rusling suffered a devastating blow in round one when he popped his troublesome shoulder for the third time. The young gun will miss the rest of the year, with the Pies hoping fellow youngster Ben Reid can make an impact in the second half should Rocca continue to struggle.
Coach's award (one-percenter player)
The much-maligned older Shaw brother, Rhyce, has been enjoying a solid season so far, having been somewhat reinvented as a run-with player in the early stages of the year. At 26 and having overcome injury and form problems, as well as being the subject of trade discussions at the end of last year, Shaw has cemented his place in the senior side this year and is currently ranked fourth in possessions at the club.
He has become a reliable member of the line-up this year after a handful of difficult seasons, and was one of the Pies' best in their win over Geelong with seven tackles.
Second-half story lines
Can the Magpies keep up their promising form and avoid the dreaded mid-year dip that has plagued their seasons since 2004?
When will Rocca return, and how influential will he be if he does?
How big a selection dilemma will Simon Prestigiacomo present when he overcomes his foot problem after the break, with the defensive structure currently working well and Shane Wakelin in form?
The run home:
Round 12 Carlton at the MCG
Round 13 Western Bulldogs at Telstra Dome
Round 14 Sydney at Telstra Stadium
Round 15 Adelaide at the MCG
Round 16 North Melbourne at Telstra Dome
Round 17 Essendon at the MCG
Round 18 Hawthorn at the MCG
Round 19 St Kilda at the MCG
Round 20 Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium
Round 21 Sydney at Telstra Dome
Round 22 Fremantle at Subiaco
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily of the clubs or the AFL.