DEFEAT OUR WORST: MALTHOUSE

[Proud Pies]

Defeat near our worst: Malthouse
By Peter Ker
April 26 2003


Collingwood's last quarter fade-out against a rampant Essendon side yesterday was labelled by coach Mick Malthouse as close to the worst football the Magpies have produced during his reign.

Malthouse said he was at a loss to explain why his side, thrashed by 66 points, had failed to provide a contest after a Josh Fraser goal had put them within six points late in the third term.

"I can't really work out how you can get to within one goal and then drop away in the last quarter," he said.

"I don't think it's the worst we've ever played, but it's certainly up there with it."

The Magpies got through the contest without any major injury concerns, but will have a nervous wait after defender Shane Wakelin made contact with umpire Brett Allen following a bouncedown in the 17th minute of the second quarter.


Malthouse said the loss was a much worse result than last week's defeat at the hands of Brisbane.

"This is comprehensively worse than last week. Last week was disappointing because I don't know whether there was a belief there that we should've kept on going, this week we were beaten in a lot of positions . . . we were beaten badly," he said.

Malthouse said there bad signs early in the match when Collingwood had plenty of the ball, but failed to capitalise on the scoreboard.

"We had a forward line really that was just non-functional," he said. "Maybe that's two-fold. We didn't use it well and we didn't mark it. We had more possessions, but we had 30 less marks and that's probably significant."

Malthouse was critical of key forwards Anthony Rocca and Chris Tarrant, who struggled against an inexperienced Essendon defence led by Danny Jacobs and Mark Bolton.

But Malthouse said the Magpies' midfield had to take some of the blame for Rocca and Tarrant's combined return of one goal.

"Quite frankly, the efforts kicking into those guys didn't help them, but perhaps that then has a cumulative effect of having no confidence the next time one comes to you, you don't know whether it's going to go over your head or your ankles," he said.

"You expect forwards to catch the football and kick the goals, but you also expect the ball to be delivered properly."

Not even captain Nathan Buckley, who was inspirational in the midfield with 22 kicks and 15 handballs, escaped the coach's wrath.

"We were disappointed right across the board, make no mistake about it. Buckley had 37 possessions, but a lot of time he was out of position," he said.

"He absolutely busted every sinew he had in his body to do what he could for the football club, but our midfield had a lot of the football, why didn't that equate to goals?"

Malthouse said he would watch Williamstown play in the VFL at the weekend before considering changes to the side ahead of next week's meeting with Sydney.

"The biggest positive out of this is that we've got next week to play," he said. "We've been up for a long time and played eight big games of football and it may well have had its consequences."

This story was found at: http://realfooty.theage.com.au/articles/2003/04/25/1050777407264.html

[Proud Pies]

sorry this is reprinted 3 times, i've asked for the other 2 to be deleted by the mods. Damn computer

[MissMagpie_20]

Spot on Mick.

[Dark Lord]

These kinds of negative posts are unproductive...

Just kiddin' ya!

Mick is spot on the money. What's so great about Bucks getting 37 when nothing came of them?

Anyway, let's put this disaster away in the backs of our minds for 12 months (and revenge is sweet), and focus on thrashing Sydney!

[Culprit]

I am not Buck's greatest fan as many know, but if half the team actually put in like he did we would have been right in the game.

I am over the game and a weeks a long time in football and we can play better if we want to. Malthouse will make a few changes this week. I expect 3 max. Davis, Fraser, Freeborn or Woey would go for my mind insane that it is. In will be Scottland, Rupert and I predict Luke Shackleton or Dane Swan may be a chance to make the team.

[MardyP]

I'd also have to say it was one of Mick's worst performances in the B&W.

At some stages I could swear Tony Shaw was making the moves. Well, maybe not THAT bad.

Here are two simple ones:

Jason Cloke is a backman, pure and simple. When he gets the ball in the forward line he looks like a duck out of water. Up back he is fantastic. He gives extra coverage and drive - exactly what was needed early on.

Presti on Lloyd? Not only would a fit Presti struggle, but one coming back from an ankle injury had no chance. If I remember correctly, Wakelin did the job the last couple of times when Lloyd has played.

[GreekLunatic]

hey why were knocking mick for wow we turning like the feral richmond supporters hey it was one heavy defeat it will be a wake up call and a reality check we gonna see the real pies soon