To think that it was only a few weeks ago that we bottomed out, our round 19 loss to Richmond signalling to many the end of the Magpies season.
And now we sit a game (albeit against the raging flag favourites) away from opening the door to a Grand Final berth.
I don’t think the reality has sunk in yet. Throughout the course of this month, our campaign has been viewed by many supporters as an opportunity to chance our arm and see how far we can ride the wave of form and courage.
Though for all the seasons ahead of Dale Thomas, Scott Pendlebury, Tyson Goldsack, Martin Clarke, Travis Cloke and those of a similar age, they may never receive this golden opportunity again. For all the relentless planning for future years, we must forever make the most of today.
Assignments at league level don’t come much more imposing than a Geelong side which has lost only one match since round six. However, in many respects, they are sitting ducks. Although many believe that last week’s heroic victory over West Coast in extra time was physically taxing, the wave of momentum can be just as vital as a week with one’s feet up.
The Match Ups:
The ‘All-Australian’ Cats live up to their moniker with each and every line from end to end studded with stars. With such a strong season, what could possibly go wrong for Geelong?
Plenty.
The key player to halt is Gary Ablett Junior, the man who leads the race in the Brownlow Medal betting. Options here include sitting Tarkyn Lockyer on the champion, however this may prove detrimental to the side on the offensive. Perhaps someone the ilk of Sam Iles will be brought back into the mix, with the Tasmanian physically well matched to stand Ablett.
We cannot afford to play too defensive and tag each and every player – the match must be played on our own terms at all times.
Down back, expect Shane Wakelin to shadow the volatile Cameron Mooney on the last line of the defence, Tyson Goldsack to again man Steve Johnson and perhaps James Clement to take Paul Chapman, whilst in the ruck, the return of Josh Fraser will be welcome, as he and the improving Guy Richards lock horns with Brad Ottens and Mark Blake.
The form guide:
Collingwood bravely overcame a fierce Subiaco crowd and a relentless West Coast in extra time last Friday night. With scores locked at 72-apiece when the final siren sounded, the Pies immediately took the ascendancy in only the second finals contest to reach extra time. Goals to late inclusion Chris Bryan, Scott Pendlebury and finally Dane Swan sewed up a famous 19-point victory, booking the Woods ticket to a Preliminary Final against the Cats. Swan was tireless with 38 possessions, while Alan Didak took the game by the scruff of the neck in the final stanza, gathering a career high 28-disposals.
It was Collingwood’s first finals draw since the Qualifying Final of 1990 against the exact same opposition at Waverley Park. Although the extra time system was not in place at the time, the Pies won the return bout the following week, supporters 17 years on praying that the repeat last week is a sign of the times.
The contrast could not have been any greater for Geelong, who were afforded a week off after whipping the Kangaroos by a record 106-points at the MCG on the Sunday of the first week of the finals series. In a dominant display from the moment the ball was set I motion, Jimmy Bartel and Gary Ablett controlled proceedings, while Chapman proved too versatile for his opponents with five majors.
Head to Head since 2000:
Collingwood: 4
Geelong: 5
Over the course of the decade, the two sides have enjoyed some close fought battles, though the Magpies have had the upper hand in recent meetings, a 4-2 record against the Cats since our 48-point victory in early 2003, which was our first win over Mark Thompson’s men since a cold and wet afternoon in round 15, 1998, when Frankie Raso and Jason Wild booted the sealing majors late in the day, snapping the side’s lengthy losing streak.
One of the more memorable bouts between the two arose in 2000, when, in round 12, an Adam Houlihan-inspired Geelong outfit came back from down and out to knock off the Pies in wintery MCG conditions. Collingwood began with a six goal to one first half, with Damien Adkins and Shane O'Bree in keeping the engine room warm. However, the goalsneak Houlihan managed a four goal second half to total five for the game, Gary Hocking sealing the deal for his Cats when goaling late in the piece after intercepting the kickout from the inexperienced Craig Jacotine.
The X-Factors:
Collingwood: – Anthony Rocca: Last time the two side’s met, Rocca was comprehensively beaten by the class of Matthew Scarlett, who, time and time again, provided run and drive as a rebounding halfback. On this occasion, the Cats are sans Matthew Egan, and the reintroduction of Sean Rusling into the mix may throw Bomber Thompson’s plans out of the water.
Geelong: – Cameron Mooney: Much like Rocca at Collingwood, when Mooney fires, his teammates follow his lead. Much rests on the shoulders of Wakelin and Clement to quieten his influence, with the result of the match perhaps weighing on his right boot.
Broadcast guide:
CLICK HERE for the full television and radio broadcast guide
The tip: This is it. We’re a week away, one victory away, from the match of our lives. It has been a long 17 years since our last premiership, and 32 prior to that, and, no matter the underlying youth of the squad, we must make our mark today. The likes of Buckley, Burns, Clement, Wakelin and Rocca deserve no less than a flag. This may well be our final chance. We’re up against a side with a remarkable record and eight champions of the season (Matthew Egan completes the nine, missing with injury). However, ordinary people can do extraordinary things, and, as the famous Jock McHale was once overheard saying, a champion team will always beat a team of champions. Collingwood by 10 points.
Please note: the views expressed in the above article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Collingwood Football Club or employees of the club. The Collingwood Football Club would like to acknowledge the tireless work of its supporters who contribute to collingwoodfc.com.au.
And now we sit a game (albeit against the raging flag favourites) away from opening the door to a Grand Final berth.
I don’t think the reality has sunk in yet. Throughout the course of this month, our campaign has been viewed by many supporters as an opportunity to chance our arm and see how far we can ride the wave of form and courage.
Though for all the seasons ahead of Dale Thomas, Scott Pendlebury, Tyson Goldsack, Martin Clarke, Travis Cloke and those of a similar age, they may never receive this golden opportunity again. For all the relentless planning for future years, we must forever make the most of today.
Assignments at league level don’t come much more imposing than a Geelong side which has lost only one match since round six. However, in many respects, they are sitting ducks. Although many believe that last week’s heroic victory over West Coast in extra time was physically taxing, the wave of momentum can be just as vital as a week with one’s feet up.
The Match Ups:
The ‘All-Australian’ Cats live up to their moniker with each and every line from end to end studded with stars. With such a strong season, what could possibly go wrong for Geelong?
Plenty.
The key player to halt is Gary Ablett Junior, the man who leads the race in the Brownlow Medal betting. Options here include sitting Tarkyn Lockyer on the champion, however this may prove detrimental to the side on the offensive. Perhaps someone the ilk of Sam Iles will be brought back into the mix, with the Tasmanian physically well matched to stand Ablett.
We cannot afford to play too defensive and tag each and every player – the match must be played on our own terms at all times.
Down back, expect Shane Wakelin to shadow the volatile Cameron Mooney on the last line of the defence, Tyson Goldsack to again man Steve Johnson and perhaps James Clement to take Paul Chapman, whilst in the ruck, the return of Josh Fraser will be welcome, as he and the improving Guy Richards lock horns with Brad Ottens and Mark Blake.
The form guide:
Collingwood bravely overcame a fierce Subiaco crowd and a relentless West Coast in extra time last Friday night. With scores locked at 72-apiece when the final siren sounded, the Pies immediately took the ascendancy in only the second finals contest to reach extra time. Goals to late inclusion Chris Bryan, Scott Pendlebury and finally Dane Swan sewed up a famous 19-point victory, booking the Woods ticket to a Preliminary Final against the Cats. Swan was tireless with 38 possessions, while Alan Didak took the game by the scruff of the neck in the final stanza, gathering a career high 28-disposals.
It was Collingwood’s first finals draw since the Qualifying Final of 1990 against the exact same opposition at Waverley Park. Although the extra time system was not in place at the time, the Pies won the return bout the following week, supporters 17 years on praying that the repeat last week is a sign of the times.
The contrast could not have been any greater for Geelong, who were afforded a week off after whipping the Kangaroos by a record 106-points at the MCG on the Sunday of the first week of the finals series. In a dominant display from the moment the ball was set I motion, Jimmy Bartel and Gary Ablett controlled proceedings, while Chapman proved too versatile for his opponents with five majors.
Head to Head since 2000:
Collingwood: 4
Geelong: 5
Over the course of the decade, the two sides have enjoyed some close fought battles, though the Magpies have had the upper hand in recent meetings, a 4-2 record against the Cats since our 48-point victory in early 2003, which was our first win over Mark Thompson’s men since a cold and wet afternoon in round 15, 1998, when Frankie Raso and Jason Wild booted the sealing majors late in the day, snapping the side’s lengthy losing streak.
One of the more memorable bouts between the two arose in 2000, when, in round 12, an Adam Houlihan-inspired Geelong outfit came back from down and out to knock off the Pies in wintery MCG conditions. Collingwood began with a six goal to one first half, with Damien Adkins and Shane O'Bree in keeping the engine room warm. However, the goalsneak Houlihan managed a four goal second half to total five for the game, Gary Hocking sealing the deal for his Cats when goaling late in the piece after intercepting the kickout from the inexperienced Craig Jacotine.
The X-Factors:
Collingwood: – Anthony Rocca: Last time the two side’s met, Rocca was comprehensively beaten by the class of Matthew Scarlett, who, time and time again, provided run and drive as a rebounding halfback. On this occasion, the Cats are sans Matthew Egan, and the reintroduction of Sean Rusling into the mix may throw Bomber Thompson’s plans out of the water.
Geelong: – Cameron Mooney: Much like Rocca at Collingwood, when Mooney fires, his teammates follow his lead. Much rests on the shoulders of Wakelin and Clement to quieten his influence, with the result of the match perhaps weighing on his right boot.
Broadcast guide:
CLICK HERE for the full television and radio broadcast guide
The tip: This is it. We’re a week away, one victory away, from the match of our lives. It has been a long 17 years since our last premiership, and 32 prior to that, and, no matter the underlying youth of the squad, we must make our mark today. The likes of Buckley, Burns, Clement, Wakelin and Rocca deserve no less than a flag. This may well be our final chance. We’re up against a side with a remarkable record and eight champions of the season (Matthew Egan completes the nine, missing with injury). However, ordinary people can do extraordinary things, and, as the famous Jock McHale was once overheard saying, a champion team will always beat a team of champions. Collingwood by 10 points.
Please note: the views expressed in the above article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Collingwood Football Club or employees of the club. The Collingwood Football Club would like to acknowledge the tireless work of its supporters who contribute to collingwoodfc.com.au.
