Post Match. Pies demolish Dons - all comments please

[Dr Pie]

I was happy with the way the game turned out. The fact that Essendon were competitive for the first half gave our boys a bit of a work out but in the end the result was satisfying.

I thought that Fasolo was terrific and that Sinclair had a great first part-game. I don't think Keefe was as bad as some of the earlier posters on this site seem to, but I agree that he is still not ready for a regular place in the side and as soon as Dawes is fit Keefe goes back to the Twos. He will be good, though, in a year or two.

I am more concerned about Simon Buckley. For all his long kicking and fierce tackling his decision making is still dodgy and a couple of his handpasses were absolute hospital jobs. Hopefully he is replaced by Toovey soon.

Cloke had three horrible quarters against Ryder and though his last quarter was very good and he kicked three goals I suspect that was because Ryder tired as the game went on. This is the first poor game Trav has played all year so I wouldn't worry too much, but I hope Mick goes through a tape of today's game with Travis to show him where to improve.

I agree with most of the above comments about Swan and Pendlebury. Swanee had thirteen more disposals than Pendles but I'll bet Pendles had a higher total of effective disposals. For all that Swan's game was still pretty bloody good.

[tomoleary]

Many over at bomberblitz think the scoreboard flattered us. We're apparently not a 12 goal better side or even a 5 goal better side.

Well... I can't see Essendon beating us in the near future. We've beaten them 5 times in a row now (6 times if you include the NAB cup final).

How many Essendon players would be in Collingwood's best 22. I think Jobe Watson is the only definite. Other possibles would be Hurley, Ryder and Heppell.

But basically we have a superior list and the only way we'll lose to them is if we have an off day. They have a lot of catching up to do.

I think they got Geelong at a good time too. If they had to play Geelong in September for some unusual reason they'd be well beaten. They play West Coast in Perth in a few weeks: good luck with that!

[eddiesmith]

Not too worried about Cloke, he wasnt given a chance in the first 3 qtrs as not only were the umpires helping Essendon but the delivery was disgraceful, as soon as they kicked it out in front of him he marked it

[Doc63]

How many Essendon players would be in Collingwood's best 22. I think Jobe Watson is the only definite. Other possibles would be Hurley, Ryder and Heppell.

You left out "Hard As Nails" Monfries!! If we were able to snare him, it would be; out Ball, in Monfiries.

[Cuthbert Collingwood]

Alright the love-fest is over folks. If you actually agree with anything that Jack_Spain says that is not of the "Captain Obvious" variety you've got rocks in your head.

Nick Maxwell is still in the side through a lack of genuine alternative. His thinking processes are quite panicked at times. He doesn't seem to trust himself to kick.

Had a pretty good second half. Is one of our most important players - and our CAPTAIN. 10 contested out of 17 today at 71% effective - I'll give him a pass for today. If you recall correctly, he wasn't playing in the backline in the first quarter was he?

Macaffer is really struggling and will probably drop out when Toovs comes back.

Jack it's his second game back from injury, are you serious? He was out there playing a role today was he not? Did his man dominate? I think not

I'm glad Jolly played, and he must not be rested again for the rest of the season. He must play himself into form. He was rusty today.

Hmmm, we won the hitouts convincingly against two highly rated Rucks with our one and a half. Jolly's game high 102 supercoach points (of all the rucks) suggests a very effective performance.

Swan got a lot of the footy, but his disposal makes me shake my head too often these days. A good game, but not a great one (although the disposal beancounters will be enraptured with his 45 touches). It's how you use the ball that matters.

179 supercoach votes! The beancounters?!? He was truly exceptional, not as sublime as Pendles but FFS, just because you say it doesn't mean it's true. His kicking was not always perfect but he was everywhere and in everything.

Now is the time to start playing finals footy. Develop good habits to smash the opposition when it counts. I thought last week was a shocking second half. This week our first half was even worse. If we want to go back-to-back we simply must play four good quarters.

Today's First half?!? PFFFT, it was a six minute patch at the end of the first quarter. How about we wait till the finals - or at least finals worthy teams. And btw we did smash the Dons, and we smashed Gold Coast before easing up on them. Have you never heard of pacing yourself?

[tomoleary]

^ For sure Doc63!!

[Doc63]

Not too worried about Cloke, he wasnt given a chance in the first 3 qtrs as not only were the umpires helping Essendon but the delivery was disgraceful, as soon as they kicked it out in front of him he marked it

Have to give some credit to Ryder. I thought he palyed Cloke as well as anyone has this year, and better than most.

[HAL]

^ For sure Doc63!!

I'm glad you got a laugh out of it.

[AN_Inkling]

Not too worried about Cloke, he wasnt given a chance in the first 3 qtrs as not only were the umpires helping Essendon but the delivery was disgraceful, as soon as they kicked it out in front of him he marked it

Yep. We were winning the ball in close all day. What we were struggling with was our run and spread. We weren't getting out into space, and so were not delivering the ball well to our forwards. The outs of Wellingham, Thomas and Didak accounted for part of this. Also, Essendon were very concsious of getting numbers back on Trav. The play where Myers dislocated his finger, running straight into Trav in a front-on contest being a good example. A good example of several free kicks we should have, but were not awarded, as well.

Our midfield performed well despite some significant outs, but we did lack a bit of run and pace. Our inside work was as good as ever, if not better.

[Doc63]

Now is the time to start playing finals footy. Develop good habits to smash the opposition when it counts. I thought last week was a shocking second half. This week our first half was even worse. If we want to go back-to-back we simply must play four good quarters.

Today's First half?!? PFFFT, it was a six minute patch at the end of the first quarter. How about we wait till the finals - or at least finals worthy teams. And btw we did smash the Dons, and we smashed Gold Coast before easing up on them. Have you never heard of pacing yourself?

Correct. Were werent playing particularly well, but were only 2 points down when they had a 5 minute spurt where they kicked 4 quick goals. It may have taken us until the third to get in front, but it just seemed inevidable.

[eddiesmith]

Not too worried about Cloke, he wasnt given a chance in the first 3 qtrs as not only were the umpires helping Essendon but the delivery was disgraceful, as soon as they kicked it out in front of him he marked it

Have to give some credit to Ryder. I thought he palyed Cloke as well as anyone has this year, and better than most.

Bock last week probably did the best job and with less assistance but Ryder did well but got away with a lot

Hopefully after 2 tough weeks those 3 last qtr goals will boost his confidence heading into the last few games and finals

[think better]

Leon deserves a new nick name - with his kicking precision I reckon he could be Laser Leon

[AN_Inkling]

I never expected Cloke to kick a bag today. There was always going to be a massive focus on stopping him. I had my money on Sidebottom kicking five. Rapt that it was the Fas who stepped up instead.

[jack_spain]

Alright the love-fest is over folks. If you actually agree with anything that Jack_Spain says that is not of the "Captain Obvious" variety you've got rocks in your head.

Nick Maxwell is still in the side through a lack of genuine alternative. His thinking processes are quite panicked at times. He doesn't seem to trust himself to kick.

Had a pretty good second half. Is one of our most important players - and our CAPTAIN. 10 contested out of 17 today at 71% effective - I'll give him a pass for today. If you recall correctly, he wasn't playing in the backline in the first quarter was he?

Macaffer is really struggling and will probably drop out when Toovs comes back.

Jack it's his second game back from injury, are you serious? He was out there playing a role today was he not? Did his man dominate? I think not

I'm glad Jolly played, and he must not be rested again for the rest of the season. He must play himself into form. He was rusty today.

Hmmm, we won the hitouts convincingly against two highly rated Rucks with our one and a half. Jolly's game high 102 supercoach points (of all the rucks) suggests a very effective performance.

Swan got a lot of the footy, but his disposal makes me shake my head too often these days. A good game, but not a great one (although the disposal beancounters will be enraptured with his 45 touches). It's how you use the ball that matters.

179 supercoach votes! The beancounters?!? He was truly exceptional, not as sublime as Pendles but FFS, just because you say it doesn't mean it's true. His kicking was not always perfect but he was everywhere and in everything.

Now is the time to start playing finals footy. Develop good habits to smash the opposition when it counts. I thought last week was a shocking second half. This week our first half was even worse. If we want to go back-to-back we simply must play four good quarters.

Today's First half?!? PFFFT, it was a six minute patch at the end of the first quarter. How about we wait till the finals - or at least finals worthy teams. And btw we did smash the Dons, and we smashed Gold Coast before easing up on them. Have you never heard of pacing yourself?

You're just a rogue comet in our harmonius solar system.

I take back nothing I said, especially about Maxwell, Pendlebury and the captaincy. Nothing at all.

I will add this however: Today showed what an inspired decision it was to get Mick to hand over the Nathan next year. We don't want this squad to get lazy because they've heard it all before from MM. Time for a fresh coach in 2012. Even though Mick deserves our plaudits and thanks.

[eddiesmith]

Had a pretty good second half. Is one of our most important players - and our CAPTAIN. 10 contested out of 17 today at 71% effective - I'll give him a pass for today. If you recall correctly, he wasn't playing in the backline in the first quarter was he?

Was another backline player who had a howler today but probably will be forgotten about due to a lack of anything to do in the 2nd half

Jack it's his second game back from injury, are you serious? He was out there playing a role today was he not? Did his man dominate? I think not

Amazing when you then look at the next bit about Jolly, Maccaffer must be given every chance to find form, however he could be the Medhurst of this year as there is alot to squeeze into that forward half

Hmmm, we won the hitouts convincingly against two highly rated Rucks with our one and a half. Jolly's game high 102 supercoach points (of all the rucks) suggests a very effective performance.

I thought it was one of Jollys best games yet and if thats how he plays after a rest then lets give him every 2nd week off

Will be quite suprised if he travels to Perth in rd23

179 supercoach votes! The beancounters?!? He was truly exceptional, not as sublime as Pendles but FFS, just because you say it doesn't mean it's true. His kicking was not always perfect but he was everywhere and in everything.

I wonder if Jack watched the 2nd half? Swan was very poor in the 1st but it was when he started being more effective the side got on top

Had a lot of pressure today with Wellingham and Thomas both missing he was left as the main man