“Pies the team to beat”
Mike Sheahan – Herald Sun
“THE title of "flag favourite" is one of dubious value. Meaningful or not, it now resides with Collingwood.”
“Trophy races down to wire”
Herald Sun
“Collingwood midfield star Dane Swan is clinging to the lead in the Herald Sun Player of the Year award with 53 votes, despite not polling any votes at the weekend.”
“Magpies ignore the hype”
Mark Robinson – Herald Sun
“COLLINGWOOD coach Mick Malthouse last night scoffed at suggestions his team could be the flag favourite after it defeated Sydney by 41 points at the MCG, its 12th win in 13 games.”
“Collingwood home but so ho-hum”
Mark Robinson – Herald Sun
“THE fact 54,400 turned up at the MCG yesterday says a lot about the bullish mood of the Collingwood army.”
“Backs a team within a team”
Mark Robinson – Herald Sun
“Defence wins premierships, they say, and Heath Shaw agrees.”
“Pies grab share of favouritism”
Mark Blake – The Age
“WHITE-HOT Collingwood soared to equal favouritism for the AFL premiership after another impressive win over Sydney yesterday, coupled with St Kilda's shock defeat by North Melbourne and Geelong's Friday-night eclipse by the Western Bulldogs.”
“Pies' stars look to be aligning”
Jake Niall – The Age
“Nick Maxwell, Collingwood's forthright captain, didn't talk the Pies down yesterday. He felt that Collingwood had as much chance of winning the premiership as any team.”
“Collingwood plan leaves Anthony Rocca out in cold”
Stephen Rielly – The Australian
“A ROUTINE 41-point Collingwood win over Sydney at the MCG yesterday may mean little in the grand scheme of the season but it could just have been a defining afternoon for a player who did not even take the field: Anthony Rocca.”
