Inability to make it count on the scoreboard cost the Pies as they fell short by just 10 points on a tough afternoon at the MCG. Here are 5 of the things we learned from the match:
Trent Bianco providing hope for the future
Bianco hit the ground running in his first taste of AFL football on Saturday afternoon. The young midfielder, a Pies fan his whole life, got to fulfil his childhood dreams as he ran out in the black and white for the first time.
A 9 disposal first quarter, it was obvious to all that Bianco is made for senior level football. He has been impressive at VFL level in the previous 2 weeks and continued his good form against the best.
Bianco finished with 19 disposals, and nearly kicked a fantastic goal off the ground. Look out for Bianco to hold his position in the senior side for the rest of the season.
Chris Mayne continues his good form.
Mayne has been one of Collingwood’s best for another game this season as he continues to impress. The 32-year-old has enjoyed his role in the backline, amassing 32 disposals in what was a strong display.
His leadership and stable head in defence helps structure the team in the backline. What is most prominent is his cleanness with the ball, quite often going at 90%+ in disposal efficiency. His 32 disposals on Saturday were at 93%, he also had 11 marks and 380 meters gained.
Mayne deserves credit for what has been a career best season for him.
Too little too late
Once again, the Pies aren’t able to put together a 4 quarter performance and it cost them the 4 points. A fantastic final quarter just wasn’t enough as the Pies had only 1 goal to three quarter time.
A combination of things resulted in a poor start to the game, but a lacking ability to hit the scoreboard with efficiency was costly. 11 behinds with just 1 goal to three quarter time just wasn’t good enough with several simple set shot gone to waste.
Darcy Cameron to fill the Grundy gap
Darcy Cameron has proved to be a solid back up the Brodie Grundy. When Grundy left the ground with injury in the 3rd quarter, the void had to be filled by Cameron and he stood up to the task.
Cameron had 10 hit-outs in the final quarter and helped the Pies get the ball forward in the final term as the Pies surged.
If Grundy has to spend an extended amount of time on the sidelines then Pies fans should feel confident in Cameron to at least break even with an opposition ruckman.
Too reliant on too few
The Pies were lacking contribution from all 22 players on Saturday afternoon, with an apparent reliance on a small group of players to save the day on multiple occasions.
6 players had 11 disposals on less, with 7 if you include Macrae the medical sub. Brody Mihocek hasn’t been able to regain his early season form, while Will-Hoskin Elliott couldn’t continue his good stretch of football from the last few weeks.
Youngsters Nathan Murphy and Tom Wilson showed glimpses of their talent in otherwise tough days, and Jack Madgen’s defensive forward role on Tom Stewart was ineffective as he ended the game in his regular position down back.
Final Score
Collingwood 6.15.51
Geelong 8.13.61
