Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse answered questions submitted via Twitter (using the hashtag #mmrnd10) in this week’s ‘Mick’s Message’ on CTV.
Malthouse’s address is sent to members on a Monday morning after the game and a portion of the piece is published below.
Mick, how do you rate Cam Wood’s progress - @ossienet
I think Cam Wood has been a revelation in many respects.
When you have a dominant first ruck, the second ruck tends to take a passive role right through history. If we cast our minds back. Len Thompson was a wonderful, wonderful ruckman. And Peter Moore sat in his shadow for a number of years. When Len retired and Peter Moore took over, he came out of his shell.
I am not saying Cameron Wood is a Peter Moore but I think Cmaeorn Wood has thought for a long time that he was always going to be the second ruck. So it has taken a few weeks for him to realise that his importance to the football side is immense. Cameron Wood has made great inroads. He is very durable and has worked very hard to achieve what he has over the last few weeks.
CLICK HERE to watch Mick's address on YouTube
What was the most frustrating thing about yesterday’s game - @ablackurn
I didn’t get too frustrated yesterday. The game itself went according to plan. We worked very hard on that plan.
It’s probably the first game this year where we have stuck to the plan right the way through.
I thought yesterday, most of the time, we were in the right position at the right time against a quality side.
Mick, a key to the 2010 success was ferocious tackling. Why has this fallen away this year - @lovelysqualor
You have to look at every year as an individual year.
Last year allowed us to be a ferocious tackling side because the ball didn’t move that quickly and gave you an opportunity. This is not just Collingwood but for most sides.
As the new year develops, there are new strategies in place that prohibit what took place last year. There are a lot more kicks this year than hand passes. So sides generally are kicking it a lot longer and not getting caught with the ball in their hand so they can’t get tackled.
