Pretty Black and White Wrap Up Collingwood Magpies V NSW Swifts Round 13 Saturday 17 August 2019, Silver Dome, Launceston

The Magpies started with a strong defensive game, but the Swifts managed to score the first goal. Browne was exceptional with her fantastic vision and her fast feeds into the circle. Brandley was on fire and got lots of touches and Mentor enjoyed the opportunity to pick off the feeds into the goal third. Swifts called a timeout and the Magpies maintained their strong defence. Brazill was in everything and picking up loose balls. Turner (Swifts) was unable to contain Medhurst as she out classed her opponent with her beautiful feeds into the circle and Nelson took advantage of being left home alone under the post as the Swifts defenders busily chased the ball. Medhurst’s vision, speed and timing gave Nelson some beautiful feeds from the centre third.
Collingwood took the bonus point and led by 4 goals at the first break.

The second quarter saw the Pies start with heavy defensive pressure. The Magpies called a time out and had a 3-goal lead. The Swifts upped the anti in defence and Mentor worked steadily in the circle getting multiple touches. Nelson had a temporary wobble as her bad hands came out under pressure and the Pies took another time out. Brazill delighted fans with a pirouette on the edge of the circle. Kelsey Browne landed hard and was taken off with a suspected ACL injury. Poi then came on in Wing Attack and did a good job stepping into those talented shoes.
The Pies took the bonus point and led by 4 goals at the main break.

The Swifts came out swinging after the break and the Pies were missing Browne. Their Goal Defence copped a warning and a caution for deliberate contact, so she was subbed off and Mentor was all over the loose balls in the circle. Medhurst played out of her skin with outstanding feeds and the Swifts continued to unravel as their unforced error count climbed.
Swifts called a time out with 1 minute 30 to go with little result. The bonus point went to Collingwood and they led by 4 goals at the final break.

The Magpies continued their assault and showed no signs of letting up, scoring 5 goals to 1 in the first 3 minutes. Nelson’s confidence grew and the Swifts tried a different defender to stop the haemorrhaging. The Swifts pulled out everything they had in defence, but the Pies showed patience and finesse as they worked the ball into the circle. Collingwood contested every ball, every centre pass and started as they meant to finish, with intensity and on top.
The bonus point went to the Magpies and they won the game by 8 points.

Final score Pies  64   Swifts 56   Magpies by 8 points
Player of the match: Ash Brazill, Collingwood
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My Take
This team has the ability to win the grand final and can definitely do it if they maintain their intensity and confidence in each other and themselves. Every player gave their all despite some soft contact calls and poor positioning by the umpires. They had the swifts on the back foot from the first whistle and maintained the intensity until the final siren. The unfortunate loss of Kelsey Browne caused a minor hiccup, but this well-oiled team got back on track quickly with Poi. I’m excited for the Melbourne derby against the Vixens. If the last couple of games are anything to go by the Vixen’s should be worried. Go Pies!
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