Pretty Black and White Wrap UP Collingwood V Western Bulldogs AFL – MCG Friday 12 April 2019

Both teams came out hard with the bulldogs very aggressively handing out dangerous tackles, none of which were paid. Mayne damaged himself when he landed awkwardly and unfortunately spent the rest of his 200th game in the rooms and from what we are told probably on the green whistle. The Pies struggled with their kick placement and De Goey waited around for calls that were slow to eventuate. A long kick from Mihocek to De Goey finally saw a free go his way and with that he scored the first goal of the game and for the Pies. Collingwood used some nice give and go up the field to work the ball forward into their 50. Roughead worked diligently in defence but it was not enough to stop Bontempelli having a shot for goal and hitting the post. Once again, the Pies did their backwards dance either due to no leads or leads that were too early. Mihocek worked hard to get the ball through the centre of the ground and Grundy added a behind to the tally. De Goey had a snap shot and gave the Pies yet another point. The bulldogs had another 2 shots at goal with the most accurate being tapped by Cox and leaving the hungry doggies goalless for the first quarter. The quarter was slow all around with not just the players at a jog but the umpires as well.
The Pies came flying out of the blocks in the second term with Varcoe scoring a goal, the Pies second for the game. The Bulldogs responded with a goal after a free for a dangerous tackle. Phillips was rewarded with a free plus 50 metres, which was closer to 60 but I think that the extra 10 was for the unprovoked smack in the head to Adams, the result was a goal. Both Varcoe and De Goey added a point to the Collingwood total. The Pies were caught off guard and the Doggies scored their second goal and Adams scored another behind in response. Thomas took a shot at goal and gave Collingwood another 6 points. The Mullet responded with a goal for the Doggies and Elliott attempted a shot at goal after a very hard smack in the head (hopefully a report) but only managed a point. The Pies led at the main break by 11 points.
The third term saw the Pies start quickly with a shot at goal but no score. The Doggies replied with a goal, their 3rd for the game. Stephenson and Phillips both added a point to the black and white tally and some great team work with a beautiful kick by Aish to De Goey failed to increase the score. By late in the third term the Bulldogs started to dictate play and Collingwood were chasing. The Doggies added another goal to their tally and levelled the score. Varcoe and Elliott worked very hard in defence, but the Doggies made something out of nothing and led by a goal. Crisp added a much-needed point to the Pies tally. Cox interrupted the play and passed the ball to Elliott giving the Pies a goal and the lead by 1 point. A mismatch and slow reaction time saw the Doggies score another goal. Great team work between Varcoe and Stephenson gave the Pies another goal and put the Doggies on notice. The Bulldogs led by 5 points at the ¾ time break.
The start of the final quarter saw the Bulldogs dictate the style of play. Team work and a lack of whistle gave Phillips his second goal and with this, Collingwood remembered who they were and started playing their own style of game. Elliott pulled out all stops but only managed a point and De Goey rushed a shot to no avail. The Mullet attempted another goal but only produced a point leaving the Doggies to wonder if they could get the game back. Mihocek added yet another point and the Bulldogs used the middle channel and scored a goal to keep themselves in the game. Cox responded with a goal after a big mark. The Pies kept coming with multiple unsuccessful shots at the target. Cox pulled out a smother and Josh Thomas was on the receiving end of the feed and goaled around the 5-minute mark. Not to be out done, Stephenson goaled 30 seconds later with some help from Cox and Thomas. The Doggies managed to sneak one more goal in through the messy Collingwood defence. Elliott snapped and put the Doggies to bed with a final goal giving the Pies the win and some comfort prior to round 5.
Final Score:  Pies 11 12 78            Bulldogs 9 10 64   Pies by 14 points
My Take
I know I sound like a broken record but I’m going to say it again; why are Collingwood allowing the opposition to dictate their style of play. We have seen what they can do, and they can do it for the whole game (think back to round 1 and 2) so it’s not a matter of fitness. The game starts out badly and ends up worse. The umpires were definitely adding to the mess with their complete lack of whistle, especially in the first quarter. This was the same last week. Just wondering if the umpires are inexperienced or so confused by all the changes that they no longer know what to call. I guess they also need to ascertain if players are trying it on, especially with the below the knees calls. (insert angry face here)
Accuracy is yet another issue that really needs some work, both set shots and snaps. And the little glimmers we get of team work or what looks like a drill they do at training; these things work so do more of those things. Another issue is decision making or is that a thinly veiled lack of confidence? Our goal kickers don’t know when to kick and when to pass off. This has been apparent in every game this season. If it comes down to confidence, then practise and correct technique are the answers and if it’s not that then it’s time for the team psych to step in for a chat. Either way this team is not in the same head space as it was last year and at times appears to lack cohesion. I know it’s early in the season, but it really is time to knuckle down and iron out the small stuff that becomes big stuff in a game. On paper, Collingwood are the team to beat and perhaps it’s just a matter of time before we find our feet, but we really need to hurry things along. The last 10 minutes of last night’s game was the Pies team we all know and love so let’s bring it for next week and every week thereafter, we have a Grand final to win. Go Pies!
#Collingwood #Sidebyside #Collingwoodforever #BlackandWhiteFlag2019
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