The Result
Collingwood 8.10 (58)
West Coast 15.17 (107)
Goals - Fasolo 3, Goldsack, Pendlebury, Sidebottom, Beams, Blair
Disposals - Beams 30, Pendlebury 30, Swan 27, Sidebottom 25, Johnson 24
It started well enough. Collingwood outscored West Coast in the opening quarter with four goals to two and led by 12 points at the first change. Surely no one could have foreseen the Magpies kicking only four more goals in the next 90 minutes while the Eagles kicked 13 of their own?
Click here to watch the highlights from Ben Johnson’s return to senior football.
Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened, as West Coast ran out convincing 49-point victors. It restricted Collingwood to only its second goal less quarter for the year in the second term and was able to stymie the supply to the Magpies’ forward line.
Bucks’ take
“I'm taking about psyche, the psyche of our team and the belief of our team. We're a week away from a finals series and we've got to find it in a hurry…at the moment - either individually or collectively - we don't have that. We've played some pretty good football this year, but we've played some poor football in recent weeks. It's there, (but) at the moment the players are finding it hard to see and hard to feel and not getting it done.” - Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley.
Hear more from Bucks in his post match press conference.
Over the fence
“We obviously had a ruck advantage but our mids were on the top of their game. Our ruckmen have been pretty dominant in other games and we haven't been as dominant in terms of clearances. From where we've been over the last month, it was a big step forward for us for what the guys have been working on.” - West Coast coach John Worsfold.
Read the match report here.
River runs dry
Collingwood supporters have been accustomed to seeing their team kick high scores week in, week out, in recent seasons, so it comes as no surprise that they have been a little concerned about their side’s diminishing returns inside 50. The Magpies have only managed eight goals in each of their past two games all the while conceding a combined total of 28. The team has produced only one multiple goal scorer in its past two games, and Travis Cloke and Chris Dawes have combined to register only three points between them.
Welcome back Johnno
The biggest positive to arise from the trip to Perth was the return of Ben Johnson. The 31-year-old, who has played more games for Collingwood than any other player on the current list, was sharp in his two outings at VFL level and showed that he has lost none of his trademark pace in winning 24 disposals against the Eagles. The magnitude of Johnson’s comeback should not be undersold. It was only 16 weeks ago that he underwent a shoulder reconstruction - enough to end most players’ seasons. But Johnson’s persistence has paid off, and on the evidence provided on Saturday night, he remains a vital player in Collingwood’s best 22.
View the best photos from Collingwood's 49-point loss.
Fresh as Fasolo
A big crowd and a rampant opposition didn’t intimidate Alex Fasolo. The 20-year-old was Collingwood’s best performed forward, kicking three straight goals and winning 14 disposals and seven marks. It was Fasolo’s second match on his home turf since debuting last season. A product of WAFL club East Fremantle, Fasolo ran hot in the opening quarter, kicking two of Collingwood’s four goals.
The medical room
The split webbing in Sharrod Wellingham’s hand was the only issue of concern to arise from the Magpies’ loss in the west. Fortunately, it appears that the slippery wingman will be ready to take to the field against Essendon. In further good news, experienced duo Nick Maxwell (groin) and Darren Jolly (general soreness) should be set to return after missing the match against the Eagles.
Wood against the world
Cameron Wood had one of the toughest gigs football has to offer. Sans Darren Jolly, the 25-year-old had to compete with the might and power of Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui. He made a solid fist of it, particularly early on, but could only return 12 hitouts for the match. His opponents had 58 hitouts between them with Naitauni, in particular, putting on a show. Some of the big man’s work was breathtaking. His trademark leap received a thorough workout and had he kicked straighter (1.3), he may have had the three Brownlow votes sewn up good and proper.
Injury update - senior Pies in line for return.
Consider this
The two matches between the Magpies and the Eagles this season have been the first not to involve Mick Malthouse since he took over at West Coast in 1990.
What does it mean?
- Collingwood’s record winning run against West Coast is over. The Magpies won all seven games between the two sides between the 2007 Semi Final and the match in round 13 earlier this year.
- In gathering 27 possessions, it was only the second time Dane Swan has failed to win 30 or more disposals against West Coast since the 2007 Semi Final.
- The loss marked the end of Collingwood’s three game winning streak at Patersons Stadium (nee Subiaco Oval). The club had not won consecutive matches at the venue until its recent streak that saw it triumph in all three games between round nine, 2009 and round 23, 2011.
VFL
The Magpies’ 2012 season came to a close with an 82-point loss to Werribee at Victoria Park on Saturday afternoon. Although outclassed, the form of two of the club’s senior players was noteworthy. Andrew Krakouer played the best of his four VFL games since returning from knee surgery as he garnered 27 possessions from the midfield. Up forward, teenager Jackson Paine kept his name in the frame for a senior recall with three goals from limited opportunities.
Looking ahead…
The final eight might be set in stone but there is still plenty to play for. Collingwood will finish fourth if it beats Essendon and Hawthorn defeats the West Coast Eagles on Friday night. But should the Magpies lose, they will be faced with a sudden death elimination final. Although the Bombers have fallen off the pace in recent weeks, they pushed Collingwood to within a point on ANZAC Day and always lift for their arch rivals. It doesn’t matter what way you look at it - Saturday night shapes as one of the most important games of the year.
