The Result
Collingwood: 6.4 9.7 12.12 17.14 (116)
Brisbane Lions: 2.1 3.7 7.9 8.10 (58)
Goals: 3 Goldsack, 2 Sidebootom, 2 Swan, 2 Sinclair, 2 Wood, 2 Cloke, Shaw, Didak, Wellingham, Keeffe
Disposals: 35 Sidebottom, 34 Swan, 33 Pendlebury, 30 Beams, 28 Shaw, O’Brien
The first interstate match of the season. The largest win of the year. A new look forward line. The fourth consecutive win.
When Travis Cloke took a mark deep in the forward line and converted the goal in the opening minute of the match, the Magpie Army could sense the boys were on.
The Magpies kicked their highest score for an opening half this year and featured winners in every division of the ground.
Collingwood had 205 total disposals, 41 more than its opponent. Steele Sidebottom led the way with 20 possessions, five clearances and one goal. An impressive tally in a total game of football, let alone in one half.
There was one major hiccup with Nathan Brown injuring his left knee in a marking collision against Harry O’Brien with six minutes remaining in the second term. Brown immediately called for trainers and was assisted from the ground.
Collingwood held an even six goal lead at the main break.
Dane Swan was everywhere in the third term. He excelled as a forward kicking two goals from three scoring shots while collecting nine disposals and taking four marks.
It was pleasant to watch a fourth quarter which put further ground between both sides. Courtesy of two majors from Tyson Goldsack, the Magpies kicked 5.2 to the Lions’ 1.1.
Bucks’ take
That was a lot closer to how we wanted to play. I think we have progressed steadily throughout the year. I thought our intensity in defence was 10 or 15 per cent up on where we were last week. That gives us the opportunity to be more attacking.
A six day break. Geelong, like us, are still trying to find their best footy. They will get a couple of back, we will get a couple of back. We will look for our next opportunity to improve.
Over the fence
How easy they got through midfield was probably the major talking point.
Plus we've got to be cleaner with the footy and that's just stating the bleeding obvious really isn't it? - Michael Voss, senior coach of Brisbane Lions.
Friendly fire
While all Collingwood supporters struggled to watch the replay of Nathan Brown’s injury, it was probably teammate Harry O’Brien who struggled the most. O’Brien was shown putting his hands to his head when he watched the replay on the big screen. Things looked immediately better the next morning with Harry posting the below photo on his Twitter account.
On the bus sitting with @njbrown16 sorry for the friendly fire mate.
The medical room
Good news all around with Brown expected to miss two to four weeks with a medial ligament strain. Dale Thomas, Darren Jolly and Chris Tarrant are all expected to be available this week.
What does it mean?
- Sidebottom is enjoying a purple patch. The third-year Magpie had a career-high 35 disposals in a best on ground performance. He has increased his disposal output over the last five matches and has now kicked eight goals in his last five games.
- The Magpies’ percentage received a much-needed boost now reading 107.05, moving up almost 10 points.
VFL
Collingwood put in its best four-quarter effort of the season to record a memorable 21-point win over ladder leaders Port Melbourne at Victoria Park on Saturday. The VFL Magpies led for the entire day to break Port's previously undefeated streak of 28 games. It was Tarkyn Lockyer's second win of the season with the team now sitting just outside the top eight.
Looking ahead…
A genuine blockbuster. A rematch of last year’s grand final. Both sides look vastly different and are trying to find their 2011 form. Friday night. MCG. Collingwood home game. It doesn’t get bigger than this. A win puts the Magpies two games clear of the Cats. The Army will be out in force. Buckle up.
