Collingwood was unable to recover from a sluggish start against Footscray on Friday night, according to coach Jared Rivers. 

The Magpies were outplayed in all facets during the first half, before going on to lose 6.4 (40) to 17.10 (112) at the Holden Centre.

Rivers said that the Bulldogs’ greater intensity in the early stages was an omen for the match.

“Our first quarter wasn’t great, that really set the tone for the rest of the game,” he said.

“Our (lack of) intent to defend and work hard early is the disappointing thing about the whole situation.

“We’ve got to really peel the layers back, get down and dirty again and just get back to the basics.”

A silver lining for the Pies was the successful returns from injury by both Brayden Sier and Daniel Wells.

Each completed the game and made their mark on the stat sheet. Sier was busy around the ball with 25 disposals and four tackles, while Wells showed decent touch after a long lay-off, finishing with 23 touches and a goal.

“It was good to get them through a game really.,” Rivers said of the returning pair.

“Brayden Sier had a little bit of a back issue, he’s got through really well.

“‘Wellsy’ was only supposed to play 70% but with two going down he ended up playing a bit more. It was good to see him running around again, it was a significant injury that he got last year.

“You can tell when he gets his hands on the ball he looks really dangerous. Hopefully he can build on that in the next few weeks, get some match fitness in and then put his hand up.”

Unfortunately for the Pies, neither Jack Madgen (concussion) or Tyler Brown (shoulder) were able to play the second half. The severity of their injuries will be assessed during the week.

Collingwood will have the chance to return to the winner’s list on Saturday against Northern. The Pies will take on the Blues at Victoria Park in the traditional 2.00pm timeslot.

Ben Crocker gathers a possession on Friday afternoon. Photo: Shane Barrie

VFL Round 2
Collingwood v Footscray
Friday, 12 April 2019
Holden Centre, 4.30pm

Collingwood           1.2      2.2     4.3       6.4      (40)
Footscray               6.3    12.4   14.7    17.10   (112)

Goals – Collingwood: Reid 2, Daicos, Goldsack, Wells, Bosenavulagi
Footscray: Gardner 2, Greene 2, Lynch 2, Trengove 2, Webb 2, West 2, Jong, Lipinski, Scott, Smith, Sweet

Best – Collingwood: Appleby, Reid, Woodward, Oxley, Keane, Quaynor
Footscray: Webb, Trengove, La Young, Jong, Lipinski, Lynch