De Goey built for the big stage

He starred last week against Geelong and was our most important player and Coaches' MVP in Saturday's Semi Final. He produced one of his best-ever Collingwood performances, finishing with 24 disposals, a whopping 12 score involvements, six clearances and a goal. He's shaping as the player of the finals series - here's hoping he has another two games to cement that.

Full-ground defence

Jeremy Howe notched 17 disposals, with a match-high 13 via an intercept possession and while our back six make intercept marks look effortless every week, we were creating turnovers in the middle and up forward on Saturday just as often. Fremantle struggled to move the ball down the field with speed or purpose. Collingwood generated 42 midfield intercepts (kicking four goals, six behinds) and 23 forward half intercepts (for another four goals).

Midfield firing

Trent Bianco was named on the wing to allow Josh Daicos and Steele Sidebottom to move inside in the absence of Taylor Adams. Jack Crisp's impact was huge and he was among our best players, gathering 24 disposals, six clearances and two goals, while Scott Pendlebury was also pivotal and finished with 24 disposals and five clearances.

Accuracy still an area for improvement

We kicked nine consecutive behinds from the 14-minute mark of the second quarter until Jack Ginnivan's stirring goal in the third term. Our wastefulness in front of goal kept the Dockers in touch. "We just couldn't quite finish," Craig McRae said post-match. "Part of our growth is taking those moments and converting."

Pies best is yet to come

"We believe our best is in front of us," McRae said post-match. "I feel like we're still building - individually and as a group we're getting better."