Collingwood v Saints

[MargOZ]

Great effort by the Pies. They played smart football rather than classy football in a match that proved that flooding is not the answer!

I thought we looked a bit lost in the first 15 minutes of the match whilst our guys were putting their anti-flooding tactics into action. It didn't take long for the boys to beat the flood with what appeared to be a number of important tactics such as kicking long, getting the ball out of the middle and moving it down the ground quickly. The boys also kicked the ball around just outside 50 early on waiting for an opportunity to arise, although I thought the more they handled the ball the more likely they were to lose it (which did happen) - so the other tactics above appeared to be a much better option. If our long kicking had been more accurate that, along with hard running and moving the ball quickly, appears to be the best way to beat the flood.

Ben Johnson certainly showed faith in the selectors and should definitely get a run next week. Got plenty of the ball, his disposals were great and he was unlucky not to kick a great goal. Nick Davis keeps showing how classy he is. He worked hard and did a fantastic job up forward. Anthony Rocca has started the season on fire and last night was no exception. He works damn hard for a guy his size and although he could have had a higher goal tally, he was all class.

Scott Burns continues to show how much we missed him last year. This guy can play anywhere - providing run out of the backline, an option across the centre and can kick fantastic goals. Will go close in the Copeland if he plays a full year (which we all hope he does!).

Definitely Lockyer's best match so far this year. Ran non stop, kicks beautifully and is always dangerous near the goals. Steve McKee has really stood up this year and is working really hard around the ground. His rucking has improved, he gets into space and is invaluable when he drops into the backline. Great effort.

Other guys who put in a great effort and worked hard were Buckley (he definitely provided a lift when he came back onto the ground after a stint on the bench), Betheras (works hard but not always as consistent as he could be), Clement, Fraser, Holland, Licuria, McGough (wasn't on a lot but still racked up 16 touches and a couple of shots at goal), Wakelin, Cloke (what an inspiration!).

Other guys who helped put into what was a great team effort were Leon (works hard but a little quieter than usual), Didak (awesome goal!), Lonie (still doesn't look at his peak but no doubt he will get back to his best), O'Bree (will improve with more match time), Presti (looked a little lost at FF, but does do good work around the ground when he gets the opportunity), Steinfort (works hard but not as much ground time), Freeborn (can do great things but still appears too inconsistent).

Fantastic coaching effort and the percentage booster we needed. With Tarrant and hopefully Cummings back on the forward line next week it would be great to see us kick another big score. And maybe Molloy playing off the bench next week will give him a run before the big match against Brisbane.

Votes (this is way too hard!):
3 - Lockyer/Burns
2 - Rocca/Johnson
1 - Davis/McKee

GO PIES!
Marg

[ed healey]

You are right about Burns,
I should have given him vote as well.
But it was a game where every body racked up possesions and hard to sort them out wasnt it.

[MargOZ]

Yeah, I agree Ed. It was tough trying to pick out only three players that deserved votes. We didn't have any big stars but at the same time it was a great team effort and quite a few guys deserved votes.

Not a bad problem to have actually!

GO PIES!
Marg