Paul Robinson is one of the men behind the cult social media channels 'The Carlton Draft' and 'The Ressies Footballer'.
His Black and White passion is unquestionable, and the views represented in this article are solely his own and not representative of the Collingwood Football Club.
This year – like all 25 years of my life – I expected us to go undefeated and win the flag from top position. So upon writing this I must take a step back from the irrational expectations I have of this club and allow myself to get excited.
How bloody good is playing finals football?
Three more wins. That’d all that separates this current crop of fresh Magpies from immortality. (I was going to call us the New Magpies, but that’s a messy situation I’d like to forget about)
This Saturday night we face our first hurdle. The West Coast Eagles.
My bold prediction is it won’t take long for us to put them to the sword. Brodie Grundy will continue his dominance as the best ruckman in the league (you read correctly) and give our boys in the engine room first touch.
That’s just the beginning of it.
I know there’s big talk of their forward half taking our undersized defence to the cleaners, but you can’t get goals kicked against you the ball isn’t down there.
Scott Pendlebury was crook last week (thank god for the bye) but insists he is ready to go. The last time he played a week after illness in a match this big was the 2010 Grand Final replay. He only won the Norm Smith in that match… So don’t put too much effort into stopping him this week, Simpson and co.
Brayden Maynard will have his hands full down back, and I assume he’ll go to Willie Rioli. Go for a walk along the Swan River tomorrow morning, Willie. Have a stroll through Kings Park. Whatever you do, just enjoy having your space while you can. By the time night falls, Bruzzie will be all over you like a seagull on a chip.
Our Swoop Squad will be too quick for the Eagles back-half. Don’t expect any less than 13-goals from JT, Stepho and WHE. Such an even spread will keep the Eagles guessing – and we’ll have all the answers.
We’ve always had unlikely heroes stand up when needed. Think Paul Licuria in the 2002 QF most famously.
This year’s hero goes by the name Tom Phillips.
Outside of the club probably not as rated as he is inside the four walls of Holden Centre, but that’ll change after he ‘does a Licca’ and notches his first 40-disposal game. The fitness freak, who during the week organised a players meet-up with past club legends at Victoria Park, will thrive on the big stage. A future captain of the club. I’m calling it now!
A 37-point win on Saturday night will not only get us into a home Preliminary Final, it will be one of the best wins in this clubs 126-year history. I don’t say that lightly either.
Three more wins, Woods fans… Three more wins.
Except a big game from running machine Tom Phillips on Saturday evening. Image: AFL Photos.
