MALTHOUSE LAMENTS BLOCKBUSTER BURNOUT
Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse has launched a broadside at Melbourne, asking why the Demons could lift only for yesterday's match, reports The Herald Sun. The Pies eventually shrugged off a stubborn Demons outfit in the MCG blockbuster, winning by 21 points to set up an epic Carlton-Collingwood clash on Sunday. But post-match, Malthouse took aim at the Dees, who were inspired by Saturday's 150th anniversary dinner. He said he was bemused that Melbourne had been able to play with such intensity yesterday, but rarely in most games this year. Malthouse also questioned his side's commitment to the Queen's Birthday clash, and hinted he would recommend to his administration it should consider the club's involvement in the future. He said the Pies got nothing from the handout to the Demons, with growing fears Collingwood is suffering blockbuster fatigue, where every MCG game it plays is against a frenzied side determined to hunt the Pies.
PIES COULD HAVE FORWARD CRISIS
Collingwood could face a key-forward crisis ahead of this weekend's clash against Carlton, reports The Age. While coach Mick Malthouse said Anthony Rocca would be sidelined indefinitely, teammate Travis Cloke should come under the scrutiny of the match review panel after he appeared to headbutt Melbourne defender Matthew Warnock, who left the field bleeding from a head wound. Malthouse said Rocca would be allowed to recover fully from his ankle injury. He said the club would no longer try to get Rocca up for each game, only to have him barely right. The big forward did not play against Melbourne yesterday because of a cold but would not have played anyway because of his injured ankle.
COLLINGWOOD EMPLOY SECURITY GUARDS
Collingwood has started employing security guards to protect its players after the recent surge of interest in their night-time antics, reports The Herald Sun. The Eagles revealed on Sunday they had begun assigning security guards to players at nightclubs and club functions to protect players from over-zealous fans. Pies chief executive Gary Pert said yesterday Collingwood had initiated the same practice, chiefly to ensure its players had appropriate protection.
EX-UMPIRE BLASTS GOODES DECISION
Adam Goodes' third escape from suspension in the past two seasons was described as "the worst decision of the year by a long way", reports The Herald Sun. Former field umpire Derek Humphrey-Smith last night blasted the match review panel's offer of a reprimand to Goodes for his bump to the head of West Coast's Adam Selwood in the first term at Subiaco Oval on Saturday night. Goodes can accept the reprimand and a penalty of 93.75 demerit points after the rough conduct charge was assessed as negligent with low impact. Brisbane coach Leigh Matthews, who insinuated Goodes was a "protected species" after the Swans star beat a striking charge in Round 2, kept preferred to keep his thoughts to himself last night. "If ever there needed to be reinforcement of that (Matthews) comment, this decision does that," Humphrey-Smith said. "I think 15 other clubs would be sitting back shaking their heads. That's an appalling decision
Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse has launched a broadside at Melbourne, asking why the Demons could lift only for yesterday's match, reports The Herald Sun. The Pies eventually shrugged off a stubborn Demons outfit in the MCG blockbuster, winning by 21 points to set up an epic Carlton-Collingwood clash on Sunday. But post-match, Malthouse took aim at the Dees, who were inspired by Saturday's 150th anniversary dinner. He said he was bemused that Melbourne had been able to play with such intensity yesterday, but rarely in most games this year. Malthouse also questioned his side's commitment to the Queen's Birthday clash, and hinted he would recommend to his administration it should consider the club's involvement in the future. He said the Pies got nothing from the handout to the Demons, with growing fears Collingwood is suffering blockbuster fatigue, where every MCG game it plays is against a frenzied side determined to hunt the Pies.
PIES COULD HAVE FORWARD CRISIS
Collingwood could face a key-forward crisis ahead of this weekend's clash against Carlton, reports The Age. While coach Mick Malthouse said Anthony Rocca would be sidelined indefinitely, teammate Travis Cloke should come under the scrutiny of the match review panel after he appeared to headbutt Melbourne defender Matthew Warnock, who left the field bleeding from a head wound. Malthouse said Rocca would be allowed to recover fully from his ankle injury. He said the club would no longer try to get Rocca up for each game, only to have him barely right. The big forward did not play against Melbourne yesterday because of a cold but would not have played anyway because of his injured ankle.
COLLINGWOOD EMPLOY SECURITY GUARDS
Collingwood has started employing security guards to protect its players after the recent surge of interest in their night-time antics, reports The Herald Sun. The Eagles revealed on Sunday they had begun assigning security guards to players at nightclubs and club functions to protect players from over-zealous fans. Pies chief executive Gary Pert said yesterday Collingwood had initiated the same practice, chiefly to ensure its players had appropriate protection.
EX-UMPIRE BLASTS GOODES DECISION
Adam Goodes' third escape from suspension in the past two seasons was described as "the worst decision of the year by a long way", reports The Herald Sun. Former field umpire Derek Humphrey-Smith last night blasted the match review panel's offer of a reprimand to Goodes for his bump to the head of West Coast's Adam Selwood in the first term at Subiaco Oval on Saturday night. Goodes can accept the reprimand and a penalty of 93.75 demerit points after the rough conduct charge was assessed as negligent with low impact. Brisbane coach Leigh Matthews, who insinuated Goodes was a "protected species" after the Swans star beat a striking charge in Round 2, kept preferred to keep his thoughts to himself last night. "If ever there needed to be reinforcement of that (Matthews) comment, this decision does that," Humphrey-Smith said. "I think 15 other clubs would be sitting back shaking their heads. That's an appalling decision
JUDD BASKS IN LIGHT OF WIN
If there is such a thing as football afterglow, Chris Judd had it, reports The Age. Perhaps it was just the light at Carlton yesterday morning, but the shaved head of the Blues skipper looked especially radiant after a particularly satisfying night. As a Brownlow medallist and premiership captain, Judd had enjoyed more significant victories playing in a blue and gold jumper. But the dramatic come-from-behind triumph over Port Adelaide on Sunday — which left even impartial observers breathless — was Judd's most meaningful since he started playing in navy blue. "It was huge. Bar winning a final, that's about as good as a win gets," he said the morning after his 32-possession game. "To kick three goals for the first three quarters and then seven (in the final term) to come away with a win against a quality side on their home ground, who had a lot to play for, it was extremely satisfying."
If there is such a thing as football afterglow, Chris Judd had it, reports The Age. Perhaps it was just the light at Carlton yesterday morning, but the shaved head of the Blues skipper looked especially radiant after a particularly satisfying night. As a Brownlow medallist and premiership captain, Judd had enjoyed more significant victories playing in a blue and gold jumper. But the dramatic come-from-behind triumph over Port Adelaide on Sunday — which left even impartial observers breathless — was Judd's most meaningful since he started playing in navy blue. "It was huge. Bar winning a final, that's about as good as a win gets," he said the morning after his 32-possession game. "To kick three goals for the first three quarters and then seven (in the final term) to come away with a win against a quality side on their home ground, who had a lot to play for, it was extremely satisfying."
BRADSHAW SET TO MISS
Brisbane are braced for the loss of full forward Daniel Bradshaw but believe they are now equipped to overcome the blow and underline their AFL credentials against the Western Bulldogs, reports The West Australian. The in-form Bradshaw is in serious doubt for Saturday's intriguing clash with the high-flying Bulldogs at the MCG after suffering hamstring tightness in Sunday’s 22-point win over Fremantle. His absence would take away an obvious strength from the Lions as twin towers Bradshaw (43 goals) and Jonathan Brown (36) have complemented each other brilliantly in the attacking 50. With the Lions resting three defenders - Josh Drummond, Jason Roe and Ash McGrath - last week due to similar hamstring tightness against North Melbourne after an eight-day turnaround, it would surprise if Bradshaw is risked with a shorter six-day turnaround.
Brisbane are braced for the loss of full forward Daniel Bradshaw but believe they are now equipped to overcome the blow and underline their AFL credentials against the Western Bulldogs, reports The West Australian. The in-form Bradshaw is in serious doubt for Saturday's intriguing clash with the high-flying Bulldogs at the MCG after suffering hamstring tightness in Sunday’s 22-point win over Fremantle. His absence would take away an obvious strength from the Lions as twin towers Bradshaw (43 goals) and Jonathan Brown (36) have complemented each other brilliantly in the attacking 50. With the Lions resting three defenders - Josh Drummond, Jason Roe and Ash McGrath - last week due to similar hamstring tightness against North Melbourne after an eight-day turnaround, it would surprise if Bradshaw is risked with a shorter six-day turnaround.
