Pretty Black and White Wrap Up Collingwood Magpies V Melbourne Vixens Round 14 Sunday 25 August 2019, Melbourne Arena

Collingwood got off to a good start even though Poi was unsure of herself in Wing Attack. Medhurst shot beautifully and defensively the Pies clogged up the middle corridor forcing the Vixens wide and continued to apply pressure. Medhurst was all over the loose balls and Nelson settled in by the 4-minute mark against Mannix (Vixens). Poi had some great feeds into the circle after a shaky start.  Collingwood took the bonus point at the first break and led by 2 points
The second quarter started, and Collingwood were just getting warmed up. Mentor took some good rebounds and Medhurst was on fire early in the game. Brandley blocked Phillip’s (vixens) shot and Brazill took an intercept in the goal third demonstrating their early domination of the game.
The Vixens took a time out at 9.51 on the clock as the Pies led by 7 goals. They managed to peg back a goal and the Pies took their timeout with 6.07 minutes left in the quarter. Nelson wobbled under pressure and her bad hands were expensive.
Collingwood took the bonus point leading into the main break and led by 3 goals.
The third term started with Nelson eager to get back into the good books and that she did causing a turnover on the transverse line and goaled. Poi struggled to land on the ring adding pressure to her feeds. Fortunately, the cool and calm Brazill was there to offload her brilliant feeds into the circle. The Vixen’s piled on the defence causing the Pies to patiently work the ball into the circle. Medhurst showed her experience and set up screens for Nelson and the Vixens called another time out. The Vixens swapped their shooters around but to no avail. Collingwood owned the third quarter and earned the 3rd bonus point. They led by 11 goals at three quarter time.
The final quarter saw the Pies continue to dominate but not without issue. Poi’s lack of movement caused a held ball by Medhurst and she let her know about it. Nelson’s bad hands came out to play again and the Vixens put Kumwenda on for Thwaites. Collingwood called a time out at 4.47 and Mentor’s message to her team was to build the pressure and play for each other. The Vixens applied defensive pressure and score 2 in a row but could not stop the black and white force that was the Magpies.
Both teams shot equal goals for the quarter, so no bonus point was awarded.
Collingwood won the game by 11 points.
 
Final score Magpies 58 Vixens  47     Collingwood by 11 points
Player of the match Ash Brazill, Collingwood

​My Take
This was another fantastic match by Collingwood; four quarters of solid effort and high intensity that was unmatched by the opposition for most of the game. The experience of the Captain, Mentor and Medhurst helped push this team into the finals. The defensive pressure and caring and careful guidance of the Assistant Coach showed a united and determined team. Despite all their hard work there are still problems to iron out before next week. Hopefully Poi will settle in better with more training and Nelson will work hard on catching the ball in a high-pressure situation.
Congratulations to Ash Brazill for MVP 3 weeks in a row.
The Melbourne derby continues with Collingwood facing the Vixens again this week in the minor semi-finals at the State Netball and Hockey Centre on Sunday. This team has the ability to make it to the Grand Final and I know they can bring it against the Vixens one more time. Go Pies!
#CollingwoodMagpiesnetball #Sidebyside #Blackandwhiteflag2019