> Watch Sharrod Wellingham speak to CTV in the rooms after the round 14 win over Essendon> Watch Mick Malthouse speak to the media after the winCollingwood was able to overcome a sluggish opening term to eventually run over Essendon by 35 points at the MCG on Friday night.
The Magpies were outrun by the Bomber’s midfield in the first quarter but maintained their composure to hold Essendon to nine goals for the match to record their sixth consecutive win of the season, 15.12 (102) to 9.13 (67), in front of 77,699 fans.
Midfielder Sharrod Wellingham provided a strong presence in the midfield collecting 20 possessions and laying five tackles.
“The win gives us a bit more confidence heading towards playing a few top-eight teams,” Wellingham told CTV in the rooms directly after the win.
The 20-year-old credited a change of defensive tactics after the first term to help set up the win.
> Watch the team sing the song after the round 14 win“We knew they (Essendon) like to play through the corridor with their run and handball style so we pushed in the corridor and forced them to play around the boundaries to try and slow them down a bit.”
Wellingham was provided with first use of the football from a brilliant Josh Fraser, who was one of the side’s best finishing the night with 35 hitouts, a career high.
“Josh kind of got slaughtered in the media on ANZAC Day and for him to come out like that and to absolutely dominate (Patrick) Ryder is pretty good.”
Playing in his ninth match of the season and 21st of his career, Wellingham is getting accustomed to the midfield role and enjoys playing along side elite midfielders Dane Swan and Alan Didak.
“Swanny gave us a bit of a spray for once, for not giving it (the ball) to him. Everyone likes to share it around and if we continue it will be our way of getting to the top of the ladder.”
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