1. What goalkicking problems?
Travis Cloke put the debate about his inaccurate goalkicking to rest with an outstanding performance against Melbourne on Monday. Cloke nailed seven goals straight – yep, that's right, without a blemish – as he rediscovered the form that earned him All Australian honours in 2011 and 2013. Cloke dominated the first quarter, booting four goals for the term to go with seven marks (four contested) and three tackles as he thoroughly outplayed in-form Demon Tom McDonald. His ascendancy forced Demons coach Paul Roos to change the match up in the latter stages of the first term as he put the undersized, but stockier, Lynden Dunn onto the Pies forward. It didn't matter though as Cloke spearheaded the Magpies to a big victory, earning the inaugural Neale Daniher Trophy for his efforts.
Cloke curls through the sealer, and his seventh, for the Magpies #AFLDeesPies http://t.co/snVYN7YxB6
— AFL (@AFL) June 8, 2015
2. Lumumba lifts for the occasion
Heritier Lumumba may have played 199 games and won a premiership in 2010 for Collingwood but there was no love lost when he took the field in Demons colours on Monday. Lumumba started a little shakily, but quickly settled in and helped to free the Demons from a number of jams in their defensive half. The Demons have consistently praised Lumumba for helping to set elite training standards. But Monday's game against Collingwood yielded perhaps his best game in new colours. Lumumba looked like he had a point to prove against his old side and despite jeers from the Magpie faithful, performed strongly for his 22 touches.
3. Coaching by committee
An interesting sub-plot to the Queen's Birthday clash was Collingwood's coaching setup. Despite tearing his hamstring from the bone while playing touch rugby on Tuesday night, Nathan Buckley took the reins against the Demons, albeit in a slightly compromised role. Given his mobility issues, the Pies planned for Buckley to remain in the coach's box for the quarter-time and three-quarter time breaks, and allow senior assistant Robert Harvey to address the troops. Buckley would then speak to the players at the major break. However, Buckley couldn't help himself and was spotted at ground level at the final change. The Magpies coach was also extremely animated in the box throughout the day.
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4. As strong as an Oxley
Collingwood's youngsters have been a revelation during the club's strong start to 2015, and rebounding defender Adam Oxley might be the best of the lot. Oxley was the designated mop-up artist in defence against the Demons, collecting 30 disposals in an outstanding performance for the Magpies. An ankle injury kept him sidelined for the majority of 2014, but the 22-year-old is making up for lost time and looks a real player with his intercept marking and poise in the back half.
5. Viney adds to Melbourne's midfield depth
Melbourne's lack of midfield depth was exposed in its 61-point loss to Port Adelaide last week. Jack Viney assisted those woes immensely against Collingwood, as the Demons won the clearances 40-36. Viney, who was the substitute against the Power after coming back from a broken fibula, demonstrated his importance to Melbourne's side with an instrumental performance against the Pies. Viney finished with 26 disposals and four clearances, but it was his toughness in the contest – most notably in a big collision with Tim Broomhead – that stood out the most. Viney copped a corked calf in the hit, but fought on to be one of Melbourne's best players.