COLLINGWOOD'S kicking woes might have finally turned the corner, with coach Nathan Buckley labelling Friday night's 75-point win over Carlton the team's best performance in terms of efficiency in two years.
The Magpies had a season-high disposal efficiency of 80 per cent against the Blues, eclipsing their previous best of 72 per cent against St Kilda a fortnight ago and their season average of 68.5 per cent.
Their superb ball use was also reflected on the stats sheet by an incredible discrepancy in uncontested marks (102-37) and inside 50s (59-36).
Buckley bemoaned the Magpies' previously shoddy skills as recently as three weeks ago, after the team's only loss for the season against Adelaide. But on Friday night, he saw clear growth.
"We're going to add layers to our capabilities as we go along, and clearly our efficiency with the ball in hand tonight was our best performance so far this year," Buckley said.
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"It was probably our best performance for a couple of years really. We controlled the ball well.
"We want to be a side that relies on effort, because I don't think there's a side that doesn't.
"But what we'll continue to add is that efficiency, both in our defensive elements and our attack."
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The defensive element of the Magpies' big win was reflected in another lopsided statistic, the tackle count, which read 81-47 despite the victors' ability to control the ball.
It was also evident in the team's ability to keep its opponent to just six goals for the second straight week.
"We were able to put heat on the ball when we didn't have it and our tackle efficiency was really high," Buckley said.
"(The backline) probably started a little bit sluggishly tonight, but we were able to get that organised.
"'Browny' (Nathan Brown) is leading them remarkably well and Tyson Goldsack going back there the last two weeks has been really strong.
"We've been building that side of our game for quite a while and we think it can get better again."
Collingwood substituted Anzac Day star Paul Seedsman out in the third quarter, but Buckley said there were no concerns with the half-back, who was sore and iced his hip once in the red vest.
"In the end it was precautionary," Buckley said. "He wasn't 100 per cent and we didn't want to risk him any further."
Buckley said he had made a point during the week of pushing the Anzac Day medallist to back up his excellent big-game performance with another strong effort, and he was pleased with what he saw.
Seedsman shot out of the blocks in the first quarter with nine possessions and five inside 50s before Carlton tagger Ed Curnow was sent to shut him down.
"Personally I mentioned it to him three or four times during the week, about how important this game was to set himself and to respond and back it up," Buckley said.
"I chewed his ear off about it. He was able to reconcile all of that and go out and trust himself, trust his role and contribute really well."
