Post Match. Pies beat Bombers. All comments.

[JC Hartley]

An ANZAC Day classic unfolded in front of a record crowd of 95,179 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground with Collingwood coming from behind as much as 28 points at three quarter time to steamroll Essendon in the final term and prevail by 13 points. The opening quarter was a tight tussle in the opening ten minutes of play, before the Bombers put scoreboard pressure on and denied the Magpies freedom with their ball movement. The Woods were quite wasteful until a late goal from Jordan De Goey on the quarter time siren kept Collingwood in touch to trail by 10 points at the first change. The second quarter saw the Pies hit back hard with scoreboard dominance and territory being the modus operandi. Off the back of this, the Magpies held a narrow lead of two points at half time. The third term saw the Dons make Collingwood pay for every missed shot at goal, and punished the Woods for defensive errors that resulted in goals, which was what enabled Essendon to get out to a game-high lead of 28 points heading into the last change at three quarter time. The last quarter saw Collingwood reverse the exact momentum it had conceded in the previous term to dominate field position and gradually started to convert their opportunities until they became seemingly irrepressible that they never looked back from there to pile on an avalanche of goals that overpowered the Bombers by 13 points. 7 goals in a quarter and winning the final quarter by 41 points after looking gone for all money was incredible and remarkable to watch for all that were involved.

Collingwood dominated most of the key statistical categories by surpassing the Bombers with a differential of +67 (393 - 326), kicks were won by +49 (225 - 176), handballs had an advantage of +18 (168 - 150), while contested possessions were up by +21 (142 - 121), uncontested possessions had a margin of +63 (257 - 194), and intercept possessions had a gap of +8 (67 - 59). Clearances were won narrowly by +1 (36 - 35), centre clearances were claimed by +2 (11 - 9, while marks were won by +41 (110 - 69), with uncontested marks having a reading of +42 (101 - 59), Marks Inside 50 were up by +6 (13 - 7), and Inside 50s went Collingwood's way by +19 (64 - 45) to cap off their day's work. Essendon won their categories from hit-outs by +21 (50 - 29), stoppage clearances were won narrowly by +1 (26 - 25), tackles were up by +12 (56 - 44), Tackles Inside 50 had a margin of +3 (9 - 6), and contested marks were up by +1 (10 - 9).

Steele Sidebottom (30 disposals @ 73%, 338 metres gained, 11 contested possessions, 19 uncontested possessions, 4 intercept possessions, 19 kicks, 11 handballs, 7 marks, 5 tackles, 2 Tackles Inside 50, 3 goal assists, 10 score involvements, 3 clearances, 3 stoppage clearances, 5 Inside 50s, 2 Rebound 50s & 1 goal) was superb throughout the entire game with a highly influential game on the wing that had maximum impact. Sidebottom linked up scoring chains from each mark he took or finding enough time and space to gather the ball at ground level and conjure territory from each possession he had obtained throughout the day.

Josh Daicos (30 disposals @ 83%, 216 metres gained, 7 contested possessions, 23 uncontested possessions, 14 kicks, 16 handballs, 7 marks, 4 tackles, 10 score involvements, 4 clearances & 3 stoppage clearances) was prolific around stoppages and dependable on transition plays out of defence into attack. Josh was able to be in the right spot more often than not to win groundball contests and made himself a marking option by leading at the ball to receive short kicks.

Jordan De Goey (28 disposals @ 79%, 345 metres gained, 13 contested possessions, 15 uncontested possessions, 13 kicks, 15 handballs, 5 marks, 2 Marks Inside 50, 2 tackles, 1 goal assist, 12 score involvements, 7 clearances, 4 centre clearances, 3 stoppage clearances, 5 Inside 50s, 2 Rebound 50s & 2 goals) made an impression on the contest with his ability to win clearances and possessions in a meaningful and potent manner. De Goey's damage ahead of the ball with scoring chains and the scoreboard meant he was always going to be noticed.

Jack Crisp (26 disposals @ 77%, 376 metres gained, 11 contested possessions, 15 uncontested possessions, 2 intercept possessions, 12 kicks, 14 handballs, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 1 goal assist, 8 score involvements, 5 clearances, 4 stoppage clearances, 3 Inside 50s & 2 Rebound 50s) won his own ball at the coalface to release his teammates out into open space or kicked it forward to equal numbers in Collingwood's forward line. Crisp was also prolific in scoring chains, where he won groundball gets from stoppages that contributed to scores.

Tom Mitchell (23 disposals @ 78%, 299 metres gained, 16 contested possessions, 7 uncontested possessions, 8 kicks, 15 handballs, 4 marks, 8 tackles, 3 score involvements, 6 clearances, 2 centre clearances, 4 stoppage clearances & 5 Inside 50s) played his role well by winning the contested ball and feeding the ball out from underneath packs. Tackling was solid throughout the game to deny Essendon progress in field position (territory/time in forward half), and by virtue of the same token offered Collingwood territory ahead of the ball in return, courtesy of Mitchell's secondary strength to win clearances.

Scott Pendlebury (21 disposals @ 71%, 379 metres gained, 10 contested possessions, 11 uncontested possessions, 4 intercept possessions, 11 kicks, 10 handballs, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 8 score involvements, 3 clearances, 2 stoppage clearances, 4 Inside 50s, 2 Rebound 50s & 1 goal) was excellent throughout the game where he had maximum impact with his possessions. During the last quarter, Pendlebury sustained an eye injury after having running back with the flight of the ball, only to receive an errant spoil to his eye socket which ruled him out of the game. It would prove to be a major turning point in the contest as Pendlebury's teammates commenced an onslaught that resulted in victory without him being able to come back on to finish the game.

Billy Frampton (15 disposals @ 87%, 201 metres gained, 28 hit-outs, 6 contested possessions, 9 uncontested possessions, 3 intercept possessions, 8 kicks, 7 handballs, 3 marks, 2 contested marks, 6 score involvements, 3 clearances, 2 stoppage clearances, 4 Inside 50s & 1 goal) was stoic and herculean in the ruck all day where he broke even in his ruck contests against Sam Draper and Andrew Phillips. Frampton gave his midfield adequate use out of the middle and stoppages, especially in the last quarter where Frampton did his best work. Frampton got the ball rolling with an excellent contested mark early in the last quarter, before converting his first goal for Collingwood and allow his team to continue and sustain momentum until the final siren.

Nick Daicos (40 disposals @ 80%, 604 metres gained, 7 contested possessions, 33 uncontested possessions, 2 intercept possessions, 21 kicks, 19 handballs, 6 marks, 2 tackles, 1 goal assist, 9 score involvements, 2 clearances, 6 Inside 50s, 4 Rebound 50s & 2 goals) had a day out and deserved to win the ANZAC Day medal. Nick was prolific as ever behind the ball with his ball use releasing teammates into better positions of the field for three quarters. In the final term, Nick was swung forward with a stint in the midfield thrown in for good measure, and was able to sneak forward to kick two telling goals to decide the contest.

John Noble (22 disposals @ 68%, 489 metres gained, 3 contested possessions, 19 uncontested possessions, 4 intercept possessions, 18 kicks, 4 handballs, 9 marks, 3 score involvements, 3 Inside 50s & 7 Rebound 50s) accumulated marks and possessions without any issues. However, his ball use on transition from defence was wayward or rendered ineffective when he was forced to kick long to a contest.

Oleg Markov (19 disposals @ 84%, 366 metres gained, 6 contested possessions, 13 uncontested possessions, 6 intercept possessions, 10 kicks, 9 handballs, 5 marks, 5 score involvements, 2 Inside 50s & 2 Rebound 50s) easily played his best game at the club by contributing to team ball movement at both ends of the field, by defending first, then rolling up as a high-half back that attacked half forward with real intent. Markov will learn to never handpass to the back of a teammate (Markov to De Goey) as it could've cost the team a goal. Other than that brainfade, significant progress was made by Markov in his bid to maintain his place in the seniors.

Brayden Maynard (19 disposals @ 79%, 435 metres gained, 6 contested possessions, 13 uncontested possessions, 7 intercept possessions, 15 kicks, 4 handballs, 8 marks, 3 tackles, 6 score involvements, 3 Inside 50s & 2 Rebound 50s) was terrific as an undersized key position defender on Sam Weideman. Maynard's intercept marking was impeccable, while his ball use rolling up from defence into attack offered another layer of protection for his team, aside from the horrendous kick-in that resulted in an Essendon goal during the opening minute of the third term.

Darcy Moore (17 disposals @ 94%, 207 metres gained, 8 contested possessions, 9 uncontested possessions, 11 intercept possessions, 10 kicks, 7 handballs, 7 marks, 2 contested marks, 2 score involvements & 3 Rebound 50s) came to play in the opening term with two crucial marks in defence, before displaying composed ball use and excellent captaincy by his actions and words thereafter.

Isaac Quaynor (11 disposals @ 82%, 269 metres gained, 5 contested possessions, 6 uncontested possessions, 4 intercept possessions, 6 kicks, 5 handballs, 3 marks, 3 score involvements & 3 Inside 50s) looked to play fearless footy at all times by taking the game on, breaking lines and moving the ball forward.

Trey Ruscoe (11 disposals @ 100%, 168 metres gained, 5 contested possessions, 6 uncontested possessions, 7 intercept possessions, 9 kicks, 2 handballs, 7 marks, 2 contested marks, 2 tackles, 1 goal assist, 4 score involvements, 2 Inside 50s & 4 Rebound 50s) had a tremendous second half, where he combined intercept marking, with forward creativity rolling up from defence. Ruscoe's kick to Ginnivan in the final term was brilliant and would've given him a lot of confidence.

Beau McCreery (15 disposals @ 93%, 303 metres gained, 5 contested possessions, 10 uncontested possessions, 3 intercept possessions, 10 kicks, 5 handballs, 6 marks, 2 tackles, 7 score involvements, 2 Inside 50s & 2 goals) contributed immensely to the outcome of the contest by being a conduit forward leading high up the ground before working back towards goal to convert both of his opportunities.

Jack Ginnivan (12 disposals @ 75%, 172 metres gained, 4 contested possessions, 8 uncontested possessions, 7 kicks, 5 handballs, 3 marks, 2 Marks Inside 50, 4 score involvements & 2 goals) had a mixed day in front of goal, but still had a bearing and impact with a couple of important majors.

Jamie Elliott (11 disposals @ 73%, 246 metres gained, 3 contested possessions, 8 uncontested possessions, 8 kicks, 3 handballs, 6 marks, 2 Marks Inside 50, 2 goal assists, 5 score involvements & 3 Inside 50s) worked hard for his possessions and marks up forward, but Elliott has developed a trend this season where he has been wasteful in front of goal. He needs to start fixing it from Sunday until the conclusion of the season.

Ash Johnson (10 disposals @ 60%, 148 metres gained, 5 contested possessions, 5 uncontested possessions, 6 kicks, 4 handballs, 5 marks, 2 contested marks, 2 Marks Inside 50, 5 score involvements, 3 Inside 50s & 2 goals) provided a constant aerial threat and marking option up forward, while converting two excellent goals, including his last goal in the final term which was a bomb from outside 50 that got Collingwood fans out of their seats. The Magpies did not look back once that occurred.

Collingwood's next game will be against Adelaide on April 30 at the Adelaide Oval. The Crows are in some serious form, so the Magpies have another stern test and challenge on their hands. Given Collingwood's ability to successfully overcome adversity and depleted personnel, there is much confidence that the premiership favourites will continue to have success. Having said that, every game is a different game, of which the players and coaches are highly cognisant of that fact once Sunday arrives.

[Damien]

They walked up the race before the bounce with the biggest smile on their faces led by our great captain. This team is a happy bunch of blokes and that equates to great football, which we saw proof of today.

[pietillidie]

^Beautiful work as always, J. C. Hartley.

Wow. That was some win. What a fierce and ferocious team that refuses to be beaten. What inherent belief from a coach who is a believer in the human spirit. Consider the moment: the superstar sons of guns, one BOG on ANZAC Day, one delivering a captain's speech for the ages on ANZAC Day. Just superb belief and team spirit, fitting for the occasion, and representing the very best of this club and sports league.

When Nicky D. subtley teared up at the presser recounting how his dad had sensed his mood before the game, and called him, I too teared up remembering just how much his dad meant to me as my idol growing up lonely and alone, with only one hero and hope in the whole wide world, the Macedonian Marvel.

To watch Nicky Boy star and accept his medal, with the Marvel cheering on in the stands and his brother playing a first-class game, and Captain Darcy Moore starring and delivering an ANZAC Day speech for the ages, this was a moment in history where you knew the circle was complete.

[BazBoy]

We were treated to a team win

Every one did their bit

[BazBoy]

Watched a bit of Beau Mc Creery in SANFL b4 he came to us and as well as his forward pressure he kick lots of goals
Yesterday was what I saw of him

But then yesterday he was just one of many to play his roll

[think positive]

[think positive]

[pietillidie]

How good was that Ash Johnson bomb in the last?

[LaurieHolden]

Ditto. I've run out of surperlatives to explain this side when they deliver acts like that.
That match and the R23 '22 Carlton match have given me as much joy as I've ever experienced from a H&A match.

I've been critical of IQ's output since late last year, as he seemed to be off his tucker, but he played one of his better games for some time.
He looked to have gained his confidence back, and backed himself when things got willing.

Ruscoe showed a cool head yesterday. It's a big ask coming into a game like that, and he played his role sublimely.

Crispy was also a factor, I thought that was his best game for us this year.

Hey JC, great review as always. Are you able to get time on ground percentages to add to your summaries?

JDG seemed to get little rest yesterday, so hats off to the conditioning team. I said to my mates at 3qtr time, I reckon our fitness and conditioning will be a factor, and didn't it show.
Fitness, our supporters and the resultant adrenaline rush give us a clear edge.
The boys conditioning will be a key factor going into this weekend's match off a short break.

Special day, special moments, special time to be a Pies supporter.

[Cam]

Tom Mitchell (6 clearances, 8 tackles) has changed our midfield clearances to the point where we are doing to others what teams used to do with us when Grundy was dominant. Sharking whomever rucks for them and getting it going our way. Ironically it was Draper doing it Grundy-style by himself that threatened to take the game away from us. Mitchell, De Goey and Adams grunt added to the silk of Pendlebury et al is giving us a lot of first use.

[Meredith1965]

[stoliboy]

Well done on the Collingwood Rant boys getting the podcast up so quickly!

[tbaker]

[tbaker]

[BBHS]

We looked like we could have played another 2 quarters, while Essendon looked like the walking dead. It's just the will to continue to push is something I haven't really seen.

Mcreery in the last 10 minutes was everywhere. Ruscoe sure handed in key moments. Moore was inspirational. And Nick is just an absolute freak.