Toast Round 7 = Collingwood 107-66 Essendon

[Gabbo64]

I didn't visit the game day thread at all, but I definitely lost my shit during the abomination that was the second quarter.

That's why I have one of these for Anzac games

 

[Pleasedontfail11]

I think Cox would've struggled today in the wet conditions.

I think he would have brought a lot more balls to ground in the forward line. He would have also been good in the ruck.

 

[JuniorB]

delivery inside 50 was terrible yet still scored over 100 in wet conditions

Agreed - there were too many long bombs inside 50.
It was no accident that, in the last quarter, when players lowered their eyes and looked for a target, we started to look dangerous.
Jordy's kick to Long was a good example - he took his time and found a target.

 

[gouki88]

Anyone else think we're playing better than in 2023?

 

[Pistol Night]

Anyone else think we're playing better than in 2023?

Shhhh. The Carlton flogs are down to hanging shit on how we're flexing

 

[Doc1763]

that howler by Howe changed the momentum in the second quarter

 

[stormskye]

Shhhh. The Carlton flogs are down to hanging shit on how we're flexing

It’s prob fair. We need to win the NAB cup or have two big wins against a wafl and vfl team before we become real contenders

 

[Granit1962]

Well done, so much to be proud of today. It is was all set up for a typical mcfly nail biter. However, the script has changed. The 2025 Fly version has evolved and is better than it ever has been.

The Good:

• The fabulous Daics, Jaics, Sidey, and Elliot - all could have been BOG. Supported brilliantly by Pendles and Ned Long now belongs! 67% TOG% - 22 Disposals, goal, and good overall disposal given the conditions. The best mid set up at the moment is Cameron of course, with Daics, Sidey, Long and Pendles. Prefer to keep JDG forward at the moment.
• The team defence, led brilliantly by Howe and great support from Perryman, Maynard, Frampton and IQ.
• The professionalism. After Essendon briefly took the lead, from that point on it was a master class. While the bummers were brave, by the end of 4Q they looked a rabble.
• Don't you love that we are not just scraping in. The second qtr and early third, I was expecting a 6 point win. Might have to reset expectations with new evolved magpie 2025 version.
• Sidey's press conference - loved his no bullshit responses.

Room for improvement: Yes, plenty, so much upside. Which is great position to be in, when you are sitting on top of the ladder.

• While our overall defence was good, most of their goals came from our mistakes.
• Making the most of our chances. Conversion. Out on the full. Not just goal kicking. While we create some great opportunities, we also leave a fair bit out there. If Daics can get his goal kicking boots back on, and kick those goals when streaming towards the big sticks, like he did in 2023 - then we are 2 to 3 goal better side.
• The 5 or 10 minutes lapse in concentration when the bummers kicked most of there score.
• Our arial game didn't hold up today, which has been a strength recently. It seemed the tall players read the weather report and decided it wasn't there day, except of course for Cameron. I think Cox would have been a positive and will be when he comes back to replace McStay - while not great today +, will be sorely missed. Fingers crossed a minor MCL.
• No Moore, No Shultz, no worries - hopefully both back for Geelong
• Houston has a lot of improvement to come

THE UGLY: RALPHY, just yuck what a dic.shi.Dip.F...Wit, even in comparison to Dunstall and Gary Lyon.

 

[JLC]

Cox wouldn’t have made a difference, he’s easily out manoeuvred when the ball is delivered like it was today. The issue wasn’t our forwards it was our ball movement.

Either way he’ll be back in for the foreseeable future with McStay injured, so at least his fan boys will be happy.

People underestimate his ruck work. A very under rated ruckman. McStay I thought got exposed as our second ruck.

We should have ground Goldstein into the MCG mud. There should have been no respite.

 

[gouki88]

Well done, so much to be proud of today. It is was all set up for a typical mcfly nail biter. However, the script has changed. The 2025 Fly version has evolved and is better than it ever has been.

The Good:

• The fabulous Daics, Jaics, Sidey, and Elliot - all could have been BOG. Supported brilliantly by Pendles and Ned Long now belongs! 67% TOG% - 22 Disposals, goal, and good overall disposal given the conditions. The best mid set up at the moment is Cameron of course, with Daics, Sidey, Long and Pendles. Prefer to keep JDG forward at the moment.
• The team defence, led brilliantly by Howe and great support from Perryman, Maynard, Frampton and IQ.
• The professionalism. After Essendon briefly took the lead, from that point on it was a master class. While the bummers were brave, by the end of 4Q they looked a rabble.
• Don't you love that we are not just scraping in. The second qtr and early third, I was expecting a 6 point win. Might have to reset expectations with new evolved magpie 2025 version.
• Sidey's press conference - loved his no bullshit responses.

Room for improvement: Yes, plenty, so much upside. Which is great position to be in, when you are sitting on top of the ladder.

• While our overall defence was good, most of their goals came from our mistakes.
• Making the most of our chances. Conversion. Out on the full. Not just goal kicking. While we create some great opportunities, we also leave a fair bit out there. If Daics can get his goal kicking boots back on, and kick those goals when streaming towards the big sticks, like he did in 2023 - then we are 2 to 3 goal better side.
• The 5 or 10 minutes lapse in concentration when the bummers kicked most of there score.
• Our arial game didn't hold up today, which has been a strength recently. It seemed the tall players read the weather report and decided it wasn't there day, except of course for Cameron. I think Cox would have been a positive and will be when he comes back to replace McStay - while not great today +, will be sorely missed. Fingers crossed a minor MCL.
• No Moore, No Shultz, no worries - hopefully both back for Geelong
• Houston has a lot of improvement to come

THE UGLY: RALPHY, just yuck what a dic.shi.Dip.F...Wit, even in comparison to Dunstall and Gary Lyon.

Re: Ralphy, FMD! Trying to make it a story that Essendon lost due to some comms issue??

 

[Granit1962]

Re: Ralphy, FMD! Trying to make it a story that Essendon lost due to some comms issue??

What on absolute tool - it just wasn't interesting for anyone to listen to that drivel.

 

[Pistol Night]

Re: Ralphy, FMD! Trying to make it a story that Essendon lost due to some comms issue??

Hay Ralphy, Richmond are shit

 

[Pendles!]

Anyone else think we're playing better than in 2023?

Yes absolutely. We had a fragility in 2023, but we look hardened and ready for anything now.

 

[Frankie23]

This is nothing like 2023, more akin to 2011 - we are toying with sides and putting them to the sword.

Easily our best win this year - got legitimately challenged and responded like an elite side should.

Hope the Cats win on Sunday and set up a huge clash next week.

 

[Pistol Night]

Yes absolutely. We had a fragility in 2023, but we look hardened and ready for anything now.

I think we're a more complete unit but its only April and were doing well injury wise. Thoughts and prayers to our old fellas

 

[doppleganger]

A really strong performance today considering the conditions.

Daicos bros are amazing.
Long is now a legit midfield weapon.
Greats seeing Jamie in goal kicking form
Thought Bruz was huge down back
Steele and Pendles still got it
DeGoey starting to build

 

[PonsfordMagpie]

Every time we've been 6-1 or 7-0.

1901 = Grand Final
1905 = Grand Final
1913
1915 = Grand Final
1918 = Grand Final
1921
1926 = Grand Final
1927 = PREMIERS
1928 = PREMIERS
1929 = PREMIERS
1935 = PREMIERS
1936 = PREMIERS
1939 = Grand Final
1952 = Grand Final
1966 = Grand Final
1970 = Grand Final
1971
1973
1974
1977 = Grand Final
1981 = Grand Final
1993
2010 = PREMIERS
2011 = Grand Final
2023 = PREMIERS
2025 = ?

 

[Pendles!]

I think we're a more complete unit but its only April and were doing well injury wise. Thoughts and prayers to our old fellas

Yeah for sure. Only early and anything can happen, but right now it's good to be a pies fan.

 

[Dead Eye Didak]

Hopefully Big Mac is back on the field soon. He's had a horror run with injury since crossing over to the Pies.
I was critical of his performance pre injury, because he looked to really struggle in the ruck, and was getting beaten by a 36 year old ruck coach!!
But now l think he looked non competitive because maybe his knee was feeling NQR, before he actually injured it....
Hopefully he's back in the next 4 to 6 weeks....

 

[Apex36]

People underestimate his ruck work. A very under rated ruckman. McStay I thought got exposed as our second ruck.

We should have ground Goldstein into the MCG mud. There should have been no respite.

Bruh he had 8 hitouts last week. It’s time to stop pretending he’s a difference maker.

 

[domus]

Well, now is your chance, Coxy. I assume Cox will step in while McStay recovers unless they go for a shock debutant in big Westy. I thought today underlined a point I have mentioned once or twice before. Cox offers so much more in the ruck and on days like today when our undersized key forwards are covered and look non-threatening it seems we are crying out for a point of difference. Essendon defenders outmarked our forwards far too often for the number of times the pill went inside fifty. Cox causes chaos and spillage. If he's in the mood he'll even clunk a few. I was earmarking Membrey as the man to step aside for Coxy but sadly injury has intervened so he should replace McStay.

 

[Aucklander]

Always nice to get a win over Essendon.

I really thought both ruckman tried their guts out all day and were among both clubs best.

Sidey was magnificent as was J. Daicos and Elliot. Would've been happy to see any of those 4 Collingwood players win the medal.

 

[Go Woods]

Need far more love for Josh. 36 touches at 78% DE , 761 metres gained, 8 score involvements, he was outstanding. Having a great year.

He was outstanding today, just worked his butt off.

 

[windchimes]

Well, now is your chance, Coxy. I assume Cox will step in while McStay recovers unless they go for a shock debutant in big Westy. I thought today underlined a point I have mentioned once or twice before. Cox offers so much more in the ruck and on days like today when our undersized key forwards are covered and look non-threatening it seems we are crying out for a point of difference. Essendon defenders outmarked our forwards far too often for the number of times the pill went inside fifty. Cox causes chaos and spillage. If he's in the mood he'll even clunk a few. I was earmarking Membrey as the man to step aside for Coxy but sadly injury has intervened so he should replace McStay.

That is a really strange attitude to have, given that Membrey is his teammate giving his all in the black and white.

 

[Go Woods]

Anyone else think we're playing better than in 2023?

Yep definitely, more clinical at this stage and beating teams by healthy margins so far.