CTV > The Weekend That Was with Blake Caracella

The way Collingwood went about it's final pre-season match - an 18-point victory over Hawthorn - pleased assistant coach Blake Caracella.

The Magpies booted 16 goals in an encouraging display that gave Caracella reason to be optimistic leading into the round one clash with Fremantle at the MCG on March 22.

“It was very good to see the boys kick 16 goals last week… it’s all looking good for round one,” Caracella told CTV at the Lexus Centre on Tuesday.

“Anthony (Rocca) kicked three, Alan Didak might’ve kicked three, even Scott Pendlebury came down from the midfield and kicked two goals as well, so the forward line worked very well last week.”

With the way the game is currently played, having midfielders like Pendlebury push forward and contribute on the scoreboard is so important, and Caracella’s role revolves around ensuring the Magpies manufacture winning scores.

“I’ve got a dual role as offensive coach as well as forward line coach, so anytime we’ve got the ball it kind of comes back to me and Mick I guess, to make sure we move the ball well and kick scores.

“As long as they (midfielders) come down at the right time they’re more than welcome to come down and kick a goal, but it must be at the right time.”

One player who got a taste of senior action in 2007 and has emerged over the last few months as one to watch in 2008 is the club’s first pick from the 2006 draft, Ben Reid, who booted two goals against the Hawks and impressed Caracella.

“Reidy played fairly well. We all know he’s very quick on the lead and has good hands as well. He was probably involved in five or six goals last week.

“Come round one he’s competing with the likes of Trav (Travis Cloke), Pebs (Anthony Rocca) and Rus (Sean Rusling) for those tall spots down in the forward line, so it’s going to be interesting when we come to pick the team for round one.”

Like the rest of the AFL the Magpies will have this weekend off before the real stuff starts, and Caracella explained only new captain Scott Burns is likely to play in the club’s VFL practice match in Tasmania this weekend.

“Scott Burns might play, but not many will play this week. We’re training Tuesday, Thursday, and the boys have got Friday, Saturday and Sunday off, so it will be a good break because it’s a long season.”