Pie Night's Driver gives one fan's perspective on the Pies' 2008 draw. Read Driver's thoughts and have your say below.
Pies fans are in for another great feast of football in 2008. The AFL draw released today puts the Magpies back on centre stage, smack bang in the middle of prime time. With 8 games on Fridays, including the traditional ANZAC Day blockbuster against the Bombers, it will really be a case of Friday Night Pies in 2008.
The year will start with a clash on Easter Saturday afternoon against Fremantle at the MCG. It will be a great chance for Magpies fans to farewell our recently retired heroes Paul Licuria, James Clement and the one and only Nathan Buckley. I expect the MCG to be packed that day as a tribute to our stars who have won an amazing 10 Copeland Trophies between them. Then we can sit back and watch the new superstars like Cloke, Pendlebury, Thomas, Clarke and Rusling set us on our way into a bright new era. Imagine the noise of 90,000 Collingwood fans cheering the boys on – it will be a great way to kick off the year!
The rest of the competition better get used to huge Collingwood crowds because even though we set an all-time attendance record in 2007, we will be setting new records in 2008 as the black and white faithful flock to see the exciting Magpies young guns in full flight.
We will get to see 14 games at the magnificent MCG, or as we like to call it the Mighty Collingwood Ground, including some early blockbusters against our old mortal enemies. The 5 games in a row at the MCG from round 3 to round 7 will have the place jammed to the rafters as we renew hostilities with the Tigers, the Blues, the Kangaroos, the Bombers and the Hawks.
Then probably the most anticipated match of all will see the “house full” sign on the MCG gates in round 9 as Collingwood seek revenge against the Cats. All fans will be advised to book early for this one. If it is anywhere near as good as this year’s Preliminary Final it will be one of the great games to remember. But we all know that this game will be sweeter, because the Magpies will triumph in 2008!
Our four interstate clashes will give the amazingly loyal interstate-based Magpie Army a chance to watch live as the Magpies go into battle against Brisbane, Sydney, Port Adelaide and Fremantle. And fans of traditional Saturday afternoon footy will not be disappointed with games at the ‘G against West Coast, Adelaide and Essendon as well as the opening round against the Dockers.
This year we have four games under the roof at Telstra Dome and we get to play Freo, Carlton, the Roos, Essendon, Hawthorn, St Kilda and Sydney twice. In round 22 we will have to travel all the way to Subiaco to face the Dockers but don’t despair because we expect the boys to be back on the MCG the following week for the start of the finals!
The only sad thing about release of the 2008 draw is that it reminds us we still have nearly 5 months to go before the first bounce. After our inspiring efforts in 2007, Collingwood fans just can’t wait to see our heroes in action again in 2008. Bring it on!
Share your own thoughts with Driver below, tell us the following and why:
1. The match you are most looking forward to?
2. Which match will be the closest?
3. The match where we will get the biggest crowd of 2008?
4. The match most likely to cause a melee?
5. The match where we will kick our highest score for the year?
6. The first match where a Pie will kick 6 goals or more and who will that player be?
7. First match where Penders will grab 30-plus possessions?
8. Match where Irish televisions will melt as Marty Clarke sets the world on fire?
9. First match where Didak will play in the middle for 100% of the game?
10. First match where we pick up a rising star nomination and for what player?
Bring on 2008!
Pies fans are in for another great feast of football in 2008. The AFL draw released today puts the Magpies back on centre stage, smack bang in the middle of prime time. With 8 games on Fridays, including the traditional ANZAC Day blockbuster against the Bombers, it will really be a case of Friday Night Pies in 2008.
The year will start with a clash on Easter Saturday afternoon against Fremantle at the MCG. It will be a great chance for Magpies fans to farewell our recently retired heroes Paul Licuria, James Clement and the one and only Nathan Buckley. I expect the MCG to be packed that day as a tribute to our stars who have won an amazing 10 Copeland Trophies between them. Then we can sit back and watch the new superstars like Cloke, Pendlebury, Thomas, Clarke and Rusling set us on our way into a bright new era. Imagine the noise of 90,000 Collingwood fans cheering the boys on – it will be a great way to kick off the year!
The rest of the competition better get used to huge Collingwood crowds because even though we set an all-time attendance record in 2007, we will be setting new records in 2008 as the black and white faithful flock to see the exciting Magpies young guns in full flight.
We will get to see 14 games at the magnificent MCG, or as we like to call it the Mighty Collingwood Ground, including some early blockbusters against our old mortal enemies. The 5 games in a row at the MCG from round 3 to round 7 will have the place jammed to the rafters as we renew hostilities with the Tigers, the Blues, the Kangaroos, the Bombers and the Hawks.
Then probably the most anticipated match of all will see the “house full” sign on the MCG gates in round 9 as Collingwood seek revenge against the Cats. All fans will be advised to book early for this one. If it is anywhere near as good as this year’s Preliminary Final it will be one of the great games to remember. But we all know that this game will be sweeter, because the Magpies will triumph in 2008!
Our four interstate clashes will give the amazingly loyal interstate-based Magpie Army a chance to watch live as the Magpies go into battle against Brisbane, Sydney, Port Adelaide and Fremantle. And fans of traditional Saturday afternoon footy will not be disappointed with games at the ‘G against West Coast, Adelaide and Essendon as well as the opening round against the Dockers.
This year we have four games under the roof at Telstra Dome and we get to play Freo, Carlton, the Roos, Essendon, Hawthorn, St Kilda and Sydney twice. In round 22 we will have to travel all the way to Subiaco to face the Dockers but don’t despair because we expect the boys to be back on the MCG the following week for the start of the finals!
The only sad thing about release of the 2008 draw is that it reminds us we still have nearly 5 months to go before the first bounce. After our inspiring efforts in 2007, Collingwood fans just can’t wait to see our heroes in action again in 2008. Bring it on!
Share your own thoughts with Driver below, tell us the following and why:
1. The match you are most looking forward to?
2. Which match will be the closest?
3. The match where we will get the biggest crowd of 2008?
4. The match most likely to cause a melee?
5. The match where we will kick our highest score for the year?
6. The first match where a Pie will kick 6 goals or more and who will that player be?
7. First match where Penders will grab 30-plus possessions?
8. Match where Irish televisions will melt as Marty Clarke sets the world on fire?
9. First match where Didak will play in the middle for 100% of the game?
10. First match where we pick up a rising star nomination and for what player?
Bring on 2008!
