Toast Round 24 = Collingwood 82-76 Melbourne

[jmac70]

Gee, we got out of jail there. Great to see Jordy back to near his best.
Hopefully Hawks can knock off Brisbane by a single point margin.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Probably already being said. With Howe like to miss I would actually play McStay down back for Howe and bring in Cox up forward and as second ruck.

I don’t think it’s necessary with Frampton and Moore . We need to replace Howe with a mobile player not a tall player.

 

[Dan Moody]

I don’t think it’s necessary with Frampton and Moore . We need to replace Howe with a mobile player not a tall player.

Surprised more hasn't been said about the performance of the Goat last night.
Was at the game and he seemed to be the rock in defence, clunked some high marks and was easily the best backman.

 

[stormskye]

 

[kartanoman]

Easy to assess the game on the back of the Port win. But at the time, when we thought we needed a 60+ win against a bottom 6 team, we were horrid. To trail by 2+ goals in Q4 and need a late comeback is a huge worry.

For our psyche, we needed to win one of the games against the other top 8 teams - not Melbourne.

You know, hindsight is 20/20.

What have we learned from AFL Season 2025 to date:

- We learned the Magpies rebounded from an undesirable flag defense, in 2024, to bounce back with the third "top four" finish, in four seasons, under Fly as Head Coach.

- We learned the Magpies got a little ahead of themselves by running off 14 wins in their first 16 games, and 15 of 17, before a series of

- After Round 17, the Pies' record stood at 14-2 (56 points), first place, 10 points clear of the second placed team. They ultimately finished at 16-7 (64 points), and "likely" fourth place finish and double chance.

- In doing so, they slumped towards the end of the season, when they played the best teams in the league, during a period when their own players were injured, not performing at peak efficiency or simply couldn't put those top teams away in the end as we've been grown accustomed to seeing.

- Fly and his staff handled the "balancing act" well between resting their older players, and holding back their injured stars, until they were "ready" to resume playing, in a strategic move to have them as healthy and energetic as possible for the finals.

- The Pies blooded young talent throughout the season and offered hope for the future when the team's older players finish up.

I could go on and on, but while many here expressed disappointment in how the team played against their old rivals, it all worked out in the end.

I remember reading here after the Crows' defeat how delicious the home cookin' was by the refs. Maybe a bad luck thing for us. But pissing and moaning about it doesn't get you very far. You handle it with class, keep pushing forward and, soon enough, you catch a break that changes your fortune and, all of a sudden, things are looking so bright, you gotta wear shades! Sure enough, Adelaide got caught with their foot in their mouth when Rankine lost his professional bearing and broke the league's conduct policy. Bam! Gone for four weeks. Following the win at the 'G over the Demons, back in Adelaide, where the luck went sour for the Pies, the week before, the undermanned hit over-inspired Power knock out the Suns to, for all intents and purposes, gift us a top four finish. Maybe the Adelaide gods were a little late in evening the score for us, from last week, but Hinckley and Boak's farewell match was the most unlikely of gifts given to us which should be just enough to seal the top four finish.

From here on out, instead of worrying, I'm going to heed the words of Fly, who has told us, over and over, that this phase of the season is finished. They kick into a new season, new strategy, new hopes. With two weeks to rest and prepare, he'll have our boys ready to go.

No sense worrying about the past and what might have been. They're in and have a double chance. I think many of us, after that season-opening slaughter at the hands of GWS, would have thought a top four finish would have been out of the question. I didn't feel that way and look how this season has played out thus far.

Consider the top nine teams have been the same since Round 17, jockeying for position to get into the finals. I think we're going to be in for an outstanding finals campaign!

Here's hoping the Black and White flag is hoisted at the top of the hill when it's all said and done.

Peace!

 

[satty]

The issue is with our mids. So many panicked kicks.
I think finals footy will suit our game plan though.

No way Cox comes in, we would be even worse with him as a forward.

He has to. Mcstay has to go back, we are extremely vulnerable with only 2 kpd, moore becomes a fish out of water when he doesn’t have another key defender other than frampton alongside him.

If we are going to keep bombing it in, have cox there to atleast make it a contest and bring the ball to the ground.

 

[Mollythedolly]

We got lucky Melbourne’s goal kicking went bad. They were 11.5 before ending the game with 5 straight behinds.

Ridiculous. They got lucky our early misses kept them in it. Bad kicking is bad footy, we both had periods of it.

 

[Peters_Nuts]

You know, hindsight is 20/20.

What have we learned from AFL Season 2025 to date:

- We learned the Magpies rebounded from an undesirable flag defense, in 2024, to bounce back with the third "top four" finish, in four seasons, under Fly as Head Coach.

- We learned the Magpies got a little ahead of themselves by running off 14 wins in their first 16 games, and 15 of 17, before a series of

- After Round 17, the Pies' record stood at 14-2 (56 points), first place, 10 points clear of the second placed team. They ultimately finished at 16-7 (64 points), and "likely" fourth place finish and double chance.

- In doing so, they slumped towards the end of the season, when they played the best teams in the league, during a period when their own players were injured, not performing at peak efficiency or simply couldn't put those top teams away in the end as we've been grown accustomed to seeing.

- Fly and his staff handled the "balancing act" well between resting their older players, and holding back their injured stars, until they were "ready" to resume playing, in a strategic move to have them as healthy and energetic as possible for the finals.

- The Pies blooded young talent throughout the season and offered hope for the future when the team's older players finish up.

I could go on and on, but while many here expressed disappointment in how the team played against their old rivals, it all worked out in the end.

I remember reading here after the Crows' defeat how delicious the home cookin' was by the refs. Maybe a bad luck thing for us. But pissing and moaning about it doesn't get you very far. You handle it with class, keep pushing forward and, soon enough, you catch a break that changes your fortune and, all of a sudden, things are looking so bright, you gotta wear shades! Sure enough, Adelaide got caught with their foot in their mouth when Rankine lost his professional bearing and broke the league's conduct policy. Bam! Gone for four weeks. Following the win at the 'G over the Demons, back in Adelaide, where the luck went sour for the Pies, the week before, the undermanned hit over-inspired Power knock out the Suns to, for all intents and purposes, gift us a top four finish. Maybe the Adelaide gods were a little late in evening the score for us, from last week, but Hinckley and Boak's farewell match was the most unlikely of gifts given to us which should be just enough to seal the top four finish.

From here on out, instead of worrying, I'm going to heed the words of Fly, who has told us, over and over, that this phase of the season is finished. They kick into a new season, new strategy, new hopes. With two weeks to rest and prepare, he'll have our boys ready to go.

No sense worrying about the past and what might have been. They're in and have a double chance. I think many of us, after that season-opening slaughter at the hands of GWS, would have thought a top four finish would have been out of the question. I didn't feel that way and look how this season has played out thus far.

Consider the top nine teams have been the same since Round 17, jockeying for position to get into the finals. I think we're going to be in for an outstanding finals campaign!

Here's hoping the Black and White flag is hoisted at the top of the hill when it's all said and done.

Peace!

Someone find me a wall to run through.

Well said!

 

[The Royal Sampler]

Gee, we got out of jail there. Great to see Jordy back to near his best.
Hopefully Hawks can knock off Brisbane by a single point margin.

I might be the odd man out here, but I’d rather play Adelaide in Adelaide if we’re to be without Howe, than Geelong at the MCG right now.

 

[larrikan]

Rewatched the last quarter, Maynard was huge. I reckon he saved us about 3 goals himself.

Yes, there were a few players back in form last night and it was a great pre finals hit out against Melbourne. Exciting signs. It’s not the doom and gloom some are making it.

You could see at the ground Maynard had his running game and ruthless attack back.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

I might be the odd man out here, but I’d rather play Adelaide in Adelaide if we’re to be without Howe, than Geelong at the MCG right now.

Agree with your sentiment. I’m largely indifferent. But as a general rule home is better than away so if I had a choice, I’ll pick Geelong.

 

[The Royal Sampler]

Agree with your sentiment. I’m largely indifferent. But as a general rule home is better than away so if I had a choice, I’ll pick Geelong.

I’d say the same if we didn’t have such an amazing record at the venue and against the team, plus Rankine out.

 

[Peters_Nuts]

Yes, there were a few players back in form last night and it was a great pre finals hit out against Melbourne. Exciting signs. It’s not the doom and gloom some are making it.

You could see at the ground Maynard had his running game and ruthless attack back.

Definitely. Combine that with DeGoey building nicely and Houston playing one of his best games for us, there are heaps of positives to take.

 

[larrikan]

You know, hindsight is 20/20.

What have we learned from AFL Season 2025 to date:

- We learned the Magpies rebounded from an undesirable flag defense, in 2024, to bounce back with the third "top four" finish, in four seasons, under Fly as Head Coach.

- We learned the Magpies got a little ahead of themselves by running off 14 wins in their first 16 games, and 15 of 17, before a series of

- After Round 17, the Pies' record stood at 14-2 (56 points), first place, 10 points clear of the second placed team. They ultimately finished at 16-7 (64 points), and "likely" fourth place finish and double chance.

- In doing so, they slumped towards the end of the season, when they played the best teams in the league, during a period when their own players were injured, not performing at peak efficiency or simply couldn't put those top teams away in the end as we've been grown accustomed to seeing.

- Fly and his staff handled the "balancing act" well between resting their older players, and holding back their injured stars, until they were "ready" to resume playing, in a strategic move to have them as healthy and energetic as possible for the finals.

- The Pies blooded young talent throughout the season and offered hope for the future when the team's older players finish up.

I could go on and on, but while many here expressed disappointment in how the team played against their old rivals, it all worked out in the end.

I remember reading here after the Crows' defeat how delicious the home cookin' was by the refs. Maybe a bad luck thing for us. But pissing and moaning about it doesn't get you very far. You handle it with class, keep pushing forward and, soon enough, you catch a break that changes your fortune and, all of a sudden, things are looking so bright, you gotta wear shades! Sure enough, Adelaide got caught with their foot in their mouth when Rankine lost his professional bearing and broke the league's conduct policy. Bam! Gone for four weeks. Following the win at the 'G over the Demons, back in Adelaide, where the luck went sour for the Pies, the week before, the undermanned hit over-inspired Power knock out the Suns to, for all intents and purposes, gift us a top four finish. Maybe the Adelaide gods were a little late in evening the score for us, from last week, but Hinckley and Boak's farewell match was the most unlikely of gifts given to us which should be just enough to seal the top four finish.

From here on out, instead of worrying, I'm going to heed the words of Fly, who has told us, over and over, that this phase of the season is finished. They kick into a new season, new strategy, new hopes. With two weeks to rest and prepare, he'll have our boys ready to go.

No sense worrying about the past and what might have been. They're in and have a double chance. I think many of us, after that season-opening slaughter at the hands of GWS, would have thought a top four finish would have been out of the question. I didn't feel that way and look how this season has played out thus far.

Consider the top nine teams have been the same since Round 17, jockeying for position to get into the finals. I think we're going to be in for an outstanding finals campaign!

Here's hoping the Black and White flag is hoisted at the top of the hill when it's all said and done.

Peace!

Great post. You have nailed it. We are right on track with Flys finals plan. Sure we had some hiccups but that will make us stronger and more resilient.

I guarantee no team will want to play us in finals.

We played our finals team last night without Hill of course.

Watch out here we come!!!!

Go Pies!!!

 

[granniewolf]

Very pleasing win. Melbourne despite rumours to the contrary are a good team. They just had a crap year.

Loved Sideys game. Jordy needs to be cleaner but he’s building nicely. Lippa had some better moments with his inside 50 delivery. Roan was very clean and his kick to mcstay in a 2 on 1 contest was pinpoint accurate. Pendles just brings it when needed. Mccreery was outstanding on one foot. Frampton was awesome.

Gradually our forward connections are improving. Our forward line is not the best in the world but with better delivery they are good enough.

Agree Melbourne is a good team that's had a crap year.
Games against them are always very hard fought and close.
It was a very good win and maybe just what we needed.

 

[Mollythedolly]

Easy to assess the game on the back of the Port win. But at the time, when we thought we needed a 60+ win against a bottom 6 team, we were horrid. To trail by 2+ goals in Q4 and need a late comeback is a huge worry.

For our psyche, we needed to win one of the games against the other top 8 teams - not Melbourne.

You thought we needed a 60+ win, I said before the game we just need a win, Melbournes form (outside of Q1 against the Hawks) has been really strong since Godwin’s departure. Going in with unrealistic expectations and dismissing your opponent never bodes well.

 

[Vicky Park]

You know, hindsight is 20/20.

What have we learned from AFL Season 2025 to date:

- We learned the Magpies rebounded from an undesirable flag defense, in 2024, to bounce back with the third "top four" finish, in four seasons, under Fly as Head Coach.

- We learned the Magpies got a little ahead of themselves by running off 14 wins in their first 16 games, and 15 of 17, before a series of

- After Round 17, the Pies' record stood at 14-2 (56 points), first place, 10 points clear of the second placed team. They ultimately finished at 16-7 (64 points), and "likely" fourth place finish and double chance.

- In doing so, they slumped towards the end of the season, when they played the best teams in the league, during a period when their own players were injured, not performing at peak efficiency or simply couldn't put those top teams away in the end as we've been grown accustomed to seeing.

- Fly and his staff handled the "balancing act" well between resting their older players, and holding back their injured stars, until they were "ready" to resume playing, in a strategic move to have them as healthy and energetic as possible for the finals.

- The Pies blooded young talent throughout the season and offered hope for the future when the team's older players finish up.

I could go on and on, but while many here expressed disappointment in how the team played against their old rivals, it all worked out in the end.

I remember reading here after the Crows' defeat how delicious the home cookin' was by the refs. Maybe a bad luck thing for us. But pissing and moaning about it doesn't get you very far. You handle it with class, keep pushing forward and, soon enough, you catch a break that changes your fortune and, all of a sudden, things are looking so bright, you gotta wear shades! Sure enough, Adelaide got caught with their foot in their mouth when Rankine lost his professional bearing and broke the league's conduct policy. Bam! Gone for four weeks. Following the win at the 'G over the Demons, back in Adelaide, where the luck went sour for the Pies, the week before, the undermanned hit over-inspired Power knock out the Suns to, for all intents and purposes, gift us a top four finish. Maybe the Adelaide gods were a little late in evening the score for us, from last week, but Hinckley and Boak's farewell match was the most unlikely of gifts given to us which should be just enough to seal the top four finish.

From here on out, instead of worrying, I'm going to heed the words of Fly, who has told us, over and over, that this phase of the season is finished. They kick into a new season, new strategy, new hopes. With two weeks to rest and prepare, he'll have our boys ready to go.

No sense worrying about the past and what might have been. They're in and have a double chance. I think many of us, after that season-opening slaughter at the hands of GWS, would have thought a top four finish would have been out of the question. I didn't feel that way and look how this season has played out thus far.

Consider the top nine teams have been the same since Round 17, jockeying for position to get into the finals. I think we're going to be in for an outstanding finals campaign!

Here's hoping the Black and White flag is hoisted at the top of the hill when it's all said and done.

Peace!

Love this, thank you. It came at the right time this morning when, pondering last nights game (again), I was thinking that sometimes you get a lot more out of a win than how you played.

 

[eddiesmith]

Pendles activated god mode in the last quarter!!

Yet in the 3rd qtr we had someone questioning whether we should let him play on in 2026…

 

[larrikan]

Definitely. Combine that with DeGoey building nicely and Houston playing one of his best games for us, there are heaps of positives to take.

I think Houston may be big in the finals. Playing wing on the MCG and dropping into holes in the backline is damaging. Looking forward to seeing his best.

Great ploy by Fly to hold him back

 

[Mollythedolly]

He hasn't put a foot wrong in any senior game he's played. He has to stay in. Parker comes back for Howe and I'd play Allan over Lipinski. If Allan gets dropped for being soft how is Lipinski getting a game?

Is that why Allan was dropped? I’d have said it was to get him a full game after not much footy in recent weeks.

 

[larrikan]

View attachment 2404264

View attachment 2404265

None of us ladder predictor/results options had Pies by 6 points Port by 4 points

 

[Granit1962]

I thought Lipinski was ok. McStay is well off, I think probably needs to be played out of the goal square…we’ve been throwing him back and in the ruck.

Membery is the one who should go. A great back up, but no point of difference.

 

[Granit1962]

I've seen huge turnarounds in form once the finals start. I've seen sides flogged by 12 goals in a qualifying final and two weeks later flog the same team they were humiliated by. Geelong did this to Essendon in 1989. Essendon beat Geelong with the final score being: 24. 13. 157 to Geelong 11. 15. 81. Two weeks later they met in a preliminary final: Score Geelong: 24. 20. 164. to Essendon: 10. 10. 70.

Unbelievable. Anything can happen in a final. We are in with a chance.

Pretty sure we beat lions in 2003 qualifying convincingly, then we all know what happened 3 weeks later

 

[PiCkLeJuiCe]

Membery is the one who should go. A great back up, but no point of difference.

His last 4 games (combined)

8 marks
15 kicks
12 handballs

 

[doofdoof]

My question is why does Gawn go up forward to rest, whilst we bench Cameron? Why don't we rest Cameron up forward?

We should. But it only works if Cox plays and is primarily benched when Cameron is rucking.

If we drop mcstay on the eve of finals we are basically saying you aren’t playing for the rest of the season. He’s down on form but people do still forget cox’s form. The old saying “the grass is greener” comes to mind.

Im not sure what the answer is.. no arguments mcstay isn’t offering a lot. But it would be a huge decision to replace him for finals. Which is what we’d be doing.

Tough calls sometimes need to be made. His current form isn't going to help us win a flag. Mind you, I could be convinced Membrey offers less flexibility and could easily be dropped instead. If Bobby comes back in, I'd certainly consider a smaller forward line too

Cox is a ruckman that can chip in down forward.
Hes a backup if Cameron goes down NOT a replacement for a key forward.

Correct. He should spend most time on the bench when he isn't rucking

Membery is the one who should go. A great back up, but no point of difference.

No argument here.