1. The Magpies are struggling mightily
Collingwood was expected to improve in 2016, but the football world might have overestimated the talent available to Nathan Buckley. Injuries to the likes of Dane Swan, Jamie Elliott and Marley Williams have hurt, but the Pies were smashed in the midfield by a team that was expected to contest for the wooden spoon. The Magpies were second in the competition for tackle differential coming into this game, but even lost that category by five. For Collingwood to be beaten so comprehensively in the middle by Carlton, shows the top eight is out of reach for the Pies after they slumped to 2-5.
2. Bryce Gibbs is right back in form
Coming off an injury-marred year, the club champion in 2014 has impressed this season. He was averaging over 25 disposals per match coming into this game and finished with 30 against Collingwood. Even more importantly, his skills are what the Blues need. Carlton missed some easy shots at goal but Gibbs stood up in the premiership quarter, kicking three majors. Carlton has plenty of players who have a crack, but the team is short on class, so they need their stars to perform in critical moments. It's fair to say Gibbs did that on Saturday at the MCG.
3. Bolton finds some punch for Blues
Everyone knows about the gun forwards the Blues have lost in recent years: Josh Kennedy, Eddie Betts, Jarrad Waite and Jeff Garlett. Putting a score on the board was always going to be an issue for Carlton but the club may be closer to finding a solution. Brendon Bolton's side kicked 15 goals this week, led by three from Levi Casboult. It's more about midfield domination for the Blues though. Winning contested ball by 18, clearances by 11 and inside-50s by 11 gives Carlton's forwards plenty of chances to convert. Eventually, against the Magpies, they did so.
4. Mixed bag for Levi
It's fair to say goalkicking isn't Levi Casboult's forte, and there was a bit of everything against the Pies. All eyes were on him when he marked deep in the forward line on an angle early in the game. Slotting that one seemed to lift his confidence, and at half-time the big man had two-straight goals as well as five contested marks. To see Casboult in that sort of form would only have pleased coach Brendon Bolton, who said on Friday the 26-year-old had been putting in plenty of time on the track to improve his conversion rate. A set shot that went out on the full to start the second half blotted the copybook, but Casboult did it when it counted, converting a set shot with seven minutes left in the game from outside 50m to give the Blues a three-goal lead and see them home.
5. The Pies need an in-form Travis Cloke
Collingwood is lacking footballing ability and leadership – two traits Cloke can provide when at his best. Darcy Moore was used as the lead-up target but he struggled initially in that role, not registering a kick in the first half against Carlton. It's simply too much pressure to put on a 20-year-old forward. Mason Cox played his third game, it's harsh to expect too much from him, while Jesse White was solid with 15 disposals and two goals but doubts continue about his consistency. Buckley is determined to ensure Cloke works himself into form in the reserves before he comes back to the senior side, but desperation may mean the hulking forward gets a recall sooner rather than later.
