Post Match. Pies win thriller . All comments.

[3rd degree]

A win is a win. After all we lost to them last year, but Cox and Bobby Hill need a kick up the arse and Howe was poor one on one.

[Jezza]

Fly's presser

Another close game, which you've obviously experienced before. How were the nerves late in the game?

"We sort of go into autopilot in terms of those close games knowing what to do. We hadn't really done it this year, as we haven't been in a position to do it. A game of two halves wasn't it really, that's what we spoke about".

Was the focus of your discussion with the players on the second half or was it the more positive start?

"Well it depends on which way you look at it isn't it. If the first half was in the second, would you be happy? That's where we sit. We did enough to win the game in the first half, but Hawthorn changed the way they went about it and they were fantastic in the second half. They dominated a lot of key parts of the game and this is a competition where if you give the opposition hope and allow them to play their style, then you'll be up against it. We witnessed that particularly in the last quarter and major parts of the third [quarter]".

Can you talk us through Scott Pendlebury's rib issue and how serious it is?

"I'm not sure how serious it is. He sort of came into the game a bit sore and I think he got a knock right on where it was sore. I don't know the context or the degree of injury at this stage. We've got a big break [coming up]. I think we've got 13 days until our next game so we'll wait and see what that looks like".

You have the bye next week. What have you made of the first 5 weeks of your season?

"We've played 5 games and we're in Round 4, so work that out. We've had a pretty tough run. We've played some pretty really good teams and we've learnt a lot about ourselves. We'll do some deeper dive later this week and the week coming around what it looks like; things we're doing well, and things we need to get busy on. We'll do a bit of a temp check. We've got a body of work now to work through that. We're not standing still. We know we need to get better. To be a fan to come watch us today to realise we need to get better. We showed some signs today that we probably hadn't showed in previous weeks. We really looked really sharp with the ball and some parts of our game looked really strong in the first half, hence why we're sitting here with a win because of the things we did in the first half. Just enough this week. We know this is a four-quarter game and a tough competition and we need to improve".

How proud are you of John Noble and the way he's responded after missing out on playing in the flag last year?

"You wouldn't expect anything else from Nobes the way he prepares, the way he applies himself to wanting to be a part of our team and mindset. We're really proud of him. He's a part of what we see in our future and like everyone, we want everyone to get better. He looks like he's got better in his adversity".

Jordan De Goey back to his best today with getting plenty of the ball and on the defensive end he stood up well with his tackle count.

"Yeah, and if you watch last week's game you can see it turning. He's had an incredible pre-season and I've never seen him prepare [better] like he has. He's fit enough and it's a just matter of applying that. I thought last week he was one of the catalysts for the reasons why we started to get our game going and tonight he continued on that and got a bit more reward".

Any concerns with Darcy Cameron after coming off the ground late with a hit to the head?

"Not that I'm aware of. Again, I haven't had a medical update yet. At this stage, I don't think there's any concern".

How did you see the Maynard-Ginnivan battle?

"He [Ginnivan] could probably write the script on that one well and truly before the game tonight. The fact that he got a high free kick and a goal was always going to happen wasn't it. We've got great love and respect for Ginni. I'm not sure if we play them again, but we wish him the best for the year [ahead]".

Still in negative territory with the wins and losses, but do you feel like you've steadied the ship in the past fortnight?

"Yeah, no doubt. No doubt, we've found more of a version of us that we want to be. Winning is important in this competition particularly. Like I said, we've played 5 games so you got to get the thing moving. 14 games is our marker to qualify. That's all we've got an eye on the prize on that and until we get there, there's no point in thinking any more. We're process driven towards that. We've got two critical wins in the last fortnight and a better version of us, but understanding also that we've got a lot of work to do".

Do you feel like you addressed your contest part of the game which is something you spoke about pre-game?

"Well, there's major parts of the game when we're up and running that our pressure looked elite again. I think we had 70+ tackles and 20 more than the opposition so those things matter to us, but it can't be just all that. It has to be a sum of all parts. How we move the ball, how do we defend the ground, how do we look at stoppage, how organised we are. We've taken a step forward, but plenty of more to come".

Blake Hardwick was pretty good in the second half. What's going through your mind at this point when he's dominating and what moves were you making to try and stop him?

"Little things. It's little things. If you watch behind the goals, it's reaction time or it's starting position. We've got two defenders back and he's behind them and why can't one just turn his head and have better awareness. They're little things. He's a very good player and I was lucky enough to coach him for 12 months. He's a ripping guy. I hope he kicks 4 goals again, but just not against us".

You 'managed' Steele Sidebottom last week and he started as the sub today. Do you expect him to be back in the starting 22 post-bye?

"Yeah, I think so. Steele's an important player for us. Tonight, we had Paddy [Lipinski] playing his 100th game so we wanted to make sure we appreciate that. I like to think Steele has his best footy in front of him. We don't want to put a ceiling on anybody, even though he might have played 313 games and now equals our second all time of our Collingwood players which is such an incredible thing. You think about that context, since 1892 he's played an equal second most games of all time [for the club]. We still think there's better to come".

Did you recognise Steele Sidebottom's Collingwood games record equalling Tony Shaw's record at all during the week?

"Yep, we acknowledged it yesterday and again today. We don't lose sight of celebrating those things, particularly in front of us. I don't want to be old and greyer and wish I had not appreciated Pendles in our team or not appreciated Steele or all the little things. I'm not going to walk past those things as long as I'm in the chair. We celebrate the greats of our club. We're even bringing the greats back, because we appreciate the past. Without the past, we're not here".

VFL next week. Can you use any players that played today next week in the VFL?

"No, I think the rules allow you to play the sub but our sub played more than enough footy I would have thought. We've got a lot of players playing well at VFL level, which is a great thing to have. Players playing above the level, they've got a chance to play next Saturday and we'll sit back and prepare really well. We've got Port Adelaide next and we'll get to work on getting better. They're a tough opposition. They played really well. We got to see them live Friday night and they're going to be hard to beat".

You brought the curtain down with another Gather Round thriller. Do you like this time slot to finish off the Round?

"It's a long wait being the last game of the Round. We'll play anywhere wherever they want us to play in whatever time slot. It was great to see our fans turn up. They turn up, it doesn't matter when we play. The concept of Gather Round in Adelaide is a massive win. I grew up in Adelaide, and I have a great love and appreciation for Adelaide. To see it on show, I went out to Stirling this morning for a coffee and it was buzzing and you go out to Mount Barker there's games on. It's a beautiful state. Well done to the AFL and well done to South Australia for putting on a good show".

https://www.afl.com.au/video/1104677/fu ... 2486562001

[Pies2016]

What’s worse than playing poorly and still winning ??

Once we’ve all agreed on the answer, then the best we can do is hope for a better effort against Port. We’ll all know more in two weeks, so let’s all cool our jets ( which won’t happen of course ) until we see their response against Port.

I like your optimistic tone, and you're right to say that a better effort may arise against Port Adelaide.

There's plenty of lessons we can derive from today, but we need to seriously improve if we want to have another tilt at the flag this year.

Jezza, it’s not just optimism, it’s the competition we find ourselves in.
“ Upsets “ happen every week, comebacks from six goals down happen nearly every week. Even the best teams struggle to stay up for weeks on end because that’s the nature of the competition. Im just thankful I can still appreciate the wins that come with playing badly, rather than default to unmercifully potting the same players who delivered us a record equaling premiership 6 months ago ( obviously I’m not talking about you here )

The main reason we caved in was obvious. We dropped our pressure in the second half and it’s up to the coaches and players to correct that and sustain that early pressure for longer against Port. ( First Half pressure ratings Coll 210 / Hawks 172. Second half almost identically reversed with Hawks at 212 / Coll 170 ). It’s all about Port now, nothing more, nothing less.

PS thanks for all your great work Jezza !

[Boot]

I can’t believe the negativity in here tonight. Sure it was a poor 2nd half, but the first half was terrific so the loss of Pendlebury and a team attitude of saving the match rather than going on to thrash Hawthorn contributed to a lacklustre 2nd half. But at least it was a win so let’s look at the situation we’re facing now with some reality;
Mason Cox - holding up the backup rucking role which is crucial for the team structure. Cameron can’t do it on his own so the question is do we have a better alternative to Cox in form atm? Begg contests well but is hardly dominating at VFL level. I’d need to see him take a few contested marks up forward before he gets in ahead of Cox. Kruger has to demonstrate some form in VFL for at least 3 consecutive weeks which he hasn’t done for a long time.
Reef McInnes - for a young player I think he’s showing plenty of promise. Certainly more than Ash Johnson has displayed this year. The more games we get into him the better. I say continue to persist with Reef and I think we’ll be rewarded with a talented third tall capable of being a bit like Melbourne’s Fritch or Hawthorn’s Gunston at his best.
Beau McCreery - like a lot of his teammates had a touch of the fumbles today but he remains a critical piece in the Collingwood team structure. Anyone suggesting Joe Richards can replace McCreery is kidding themselves.
Jack Crisp - was terrific as the sun against the Lions but apart from that has struggled all year. I suspect he’s dropped off by that 5% due to the success of last year so hopefully he’ll get his mojo back sooner than later. The feedback should be sufficient for him to put his head down and try to recapture his confidence and explosive best over the next couple of weeks.
Sidebottom and Howe - both look to be playing like their age is catching up with them. It’s a big problem for Fly McRae to deal with these two as they are such icons within the team. Personally I’d “manage” Sidebottom again for the next game vs Port and play Ed Allen on the wing.
Jordan DeGoey was good enough in the middle today but missed a few chances to hit the scoreboard as he would when in top form. I guess we need to keep playing him as a midfielder but I sort of long for his strength and x-factor up forward… could that be done 50/50 in the next few weeks with Macrae to help out with more midfield time?
Frampton and Noble are adding to the team’s defence, albeit Noble made a few blunders in the 2nd half but mostly his ball handling has been good this year.
Hence I’d like to see the following changes coming against Port Adelaide;
In: McRae, Allen
Out: Pendlebury (injured), Sidebottom (managed)

[Jezza]

Jezza, it’s not just optimism, it’s the competition we find ourselves in. .
“ Upsets “ happen every week, comebacks from six goals down happen nearly every week. Even the best teams struggle to stay up for weeks on end because that’s the nature of the competition. Im just thankful I can still appreciate the wins that come with playing badly, rather than default to unmercifully potting the same players who delivered us a record equaling premiership 6 months ago ( obviously I’m not talking about you here )

The main reason we caved in was obvious. We dropped our pressure in the second half and it’s up to the coaches and players to correct that and sustain that early pressure for longer against Port. ( First Half pressure ratings Coll 210 / Hawks 172. Second half almost identically reversed with Hawks at 212 / Coll 170 ). It’s all about Port now, nothing more, nothing less.

PS thanks for all your great work Jezza !

Good post, and thanks for your kind words.

Agree on the pressure ratings being a pivotal metric to explain our poor second half. I noticed on the Fox coverage that our pressure rating was 172 in the final quarter.

[think positive]

^ McStay is a huge, huge loss, for us, and when the hell does Murphy get over this concussion shit,and gets back to playing ?? jeezus it was 7 friggin months ago, how much bloody longer must he be out ?

Given current trends regarding head injuries, I wouldnt be surprised if Murphy calls it quits before the end of the season.

me either,

but i wish, if thats the case, he had pulled the plug so we could have filled the spot!

[Piesnchess]

Feeling bit better now, me Magpies won a cliffhanger, and I only now, last hour, found out I won a thousand bucks in Lotto. ! Not such a bad day hey.!

[Gerry Cooper]

Fly's presser

Talk about a bunch of Dorothy Dixers. Our prime minister would kill for such press conferences lol.

[doriswilgus]

Caro should be happy that Fly gave credit to Hawthorn in his presser.Apparently,he’s the only coach in VFL/AFL history who has never given credit to the other side in their post match presser,according to her,

[think positive]

^

I agree with all of that,especially about needing a KPF desperately.Unfortunately,we only have one genuine one at the club,and he’s going to miss most of the season.

cheers, yeah, its a damn shame.

im going to comment more on my reply to Shawthing saying people are saying we fluked the premiership.

No, we didnt. two solid hard years of improving and playing the minutes. You dont fluke how many was it? something like 30 wins under 5 points? The GF was a cracker of a game, the best for years, and no umpire help needed. We deserved to be there, and to win.

However, I do think we let the celebrations go too far into 2024, including the timing of the movie. Also not thrilled at all the high profile media stuff.

As Geelong were in 2022, we have the oldest list, and they have spent the past 2 seasons giving every bit of themselves they had. I read somewhere that Buckley said to Craig kelly "i want to keep playing" and Kelly said "so do I" Its a young mans game, awfully hard on the body, especially when you play the frantic no hold bar game we played the past 2 seasons. Sidey looks done to me, but maybe if hes managed we can get some highlights from him and give the kids a break. Hes getting paid, lets make good use of him.

As for today, when Pendles went down, we did too. Even though hes far from his lofty best, he is still a master ball and play reader, still an incredible leader. Ive watched Nick go to him every game for a chat. hopefully hes passing his knowledge on, but somethings cant be taught. How lucky we are to have The talent of this generation eager to fill his huge shoes. The talk of the hawks missing players, ill counter with McStay. Big, solid, takes a big defender McStay. We need to find one in the system and fast. Murphy, I love you but if your done, I wish you had said sooner. We cant afford the space on the list, and we need to get the back line functioning properly. I cant remember the last time we left the back door wide open like that so frequently, and Moore not playing at his best means Howes age is exposed. Loving seeing frampton stand up after the crap said about him everywhere after the GF. Moore, OMG for me the biggest WTF!! I dont get it, he was everywhere, please tell me hes not satisfied with one! We looked a rabble for a lot of the second half. However, I will point out that disgraceful non call on Reefs mark on the goal line, that was a certain goal, and they got one instead. That was worse than the freo howler. it cost us 12 points the difference. It was good to see checkers get a couple of frees, but in i think the last they missed him being pushed off a cliff!

We are not umpire favourites, never have been that i can remember, so as i told the kids i coached, we have to be far enough in front that the mother of all umpire decisions doesnt cost us the game. Im disappointed, we should have won by 60 points, but also, we stuck it out. and as much as degoey missed a couple he should have nailed; it was him streaming through again and again keeping the ball up our end.
Also, loved that Lochie got the first goal, and Ginnie got a 50 metre against! the umps may have to pay his ducking, but they wont like it, so yeah, behave son or your toast!!! notice his 2 goals were from free kicks.

Its going to be a tough few weeks, but hey, so was the start of 2022!! Now we get to see just how clever our wonderful coach is!

cheers, go Pies!!

well done piesnchess, and thanks Jezza

cant wait to actually get to a game!! bring it on!

[doriswilgus]

^

Great post!Jo.I agree with everything you said there.And I agree,,we didn’t fluke the premiership last year,we bloody deserved it.We were the best team all year and deserved to win the flag.Just because we’re not playing so well this year shouldn’t devalue what we achieved last year,which was monumental.

[think positive]

100% hun, 100% xxx thankyou

[Jezza]

Bit of trivia: That was our 100th win in VFL/AFL history against Hawthorn.

[Jezza]

I’m going to comment more on my reply to Shawthing saying people are saying we fluked the premiership.

No, we didnt. two solid hard years of improving and playing the minutes. You dont fluke how many was it? something like 30 wins under 5 points? The GF was a cracker of a game, the best for years, and no umpire help needed. We deserved to be there, and to win!

Agree. Getting a bit sick and tired of some denigrating our 2023 flag and being worried about what opposition supporters think of us or how we’re defending the flag.

We fully deserved it after a brilliant two seasons. Whatever we do in 2024, what we achieved in 2023 was remarkable and something we’ll cherish forever.

[shawthing]

^ McStay is a huge, huge loss, for us, and when the hell does Murphy get over this concussion shit,and gets back to playing ?? jeezus it was 7 friggin months ago, how much bloody longer must he be out ?

If he gets one more concussion he will probably die from CTE (Danny Frawley had, and so even did Polly Farmer though he lived to a good age). I think he should retire for his own good.