Collingwood's season unraveling
The Magpies' mini revival has proven to be a false dawn after their crushing 67-point loss to Port Adelaide at the MCG on Sunday left their finals hopes in tatters. The Pies are now two games behind eighth-placed Adelaide (who plays St Kilda to end round 11) with plenty of work to do if they want to rise off the canvas and resurrect their season. Collingwood has Melbourne, the bye, Fremantle and Carlton in the next month so it is possible for the Magpies to get back on track. But with injuries mounting, Taylor Adams (hamstring), Darcy Moore (collarbone) and Alex Fasolo (shoulder), and so many inconsistent performers a finals run looks well beyond Nathan Buckley's side.
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Cloke and no dagger
Travis Cloke won his position back in Collingwood's team more by default than anything else and Sunday's return was not one for his career highlights reel. Cloke, who was dropped ahead of ANZAC Day, returned to the team in place of the injured Darcy Moore. The veteran forward started the game brightly to set up skipper Scott Pendlebury for the opening goal of the game. But the slippery conditions and the Magpies' woeful ball use did not do Cloke any favours. The 2010 premiership forward sprayed his only realistic chance at goal out on the full from 50m out in the third quarter and finished the game goalless. Cloke had 13 disposals and six marks in what was a dirty day for the spearhead.
Magpie zone breaks down again
Collingwood's zone defence has been heavily criticised for much of the season, with many players admitting they have struggled to adapt to the new system. Against the Power, the Magpies' defensive structures broke down yet again. With the Magpies players pressing high up the ground, time and again they allowed the Power players to get in behind their zone, which led to easy shots on goal. The Magpies allowed seven goals from their own goal square, which was telling in the final result. In the first quarter alone, the Power kicked three goals from inside the goal square. Tellingly, three of Aaron Young's (who was one of the Power's best players) four goals also came from within 10m out from goal. Collingwood flailed around with its chances to boot a wayward 7.15. Port finished on the right side of the ledger – 19.11.
Magpie defenders get through unscathed
Concussion has been the hot topic in the AFL this season with more players missing games than ever before. The Magpies have had a few players with concussion issues this season, with Alan Toovey, Ben Sinclair and Corey Gault all struggling with the affects of head knocks. Toovey had what was a scary moment last week when he collapsed due to a delayed onset of concussion. Sinclair has missed three games this season through concussion and the Magpies have been extremely cautious with his return. Both Toovey and Sinclair made their returns against Port and got through the game unscathed. Sinclair was one of Collingwood's leading possession getters with 27 disposals and typically Toovey gave his all in defence.
Impey on the up
Jarman Impey started his career in defence for Port Adelaide, with Ken Hinkley seeing plenty of upside in his ability to break the lines and take the game on from the back half. But a slow start to the year, which saw him return to the SANFL, forced a rethink and a change of role for the talented 20-year-old. Impey came back into the side as a forward in round six and produced one of the finest performances of his 44-game career. Impey was best afield for the Power, with his creativity and elusiveness creating plenty of problems for the Pies' defence. Impey (22 disposals, eight marks, six inside 50s and a goal), Jake Neade (four goals) and Chad Wingard (three) ripped Collingwood's defence apart to set up the big win.
