Collingwood replaced Scott Pendlebury with Dayne Beams before the bounce. Both teams lined up traditionally with one-on-one match ups all over the ground. Cameron Ling went to Dane Swan, Corey Enright took Alan Didak, Andrew Mackie was on Leon Davis, Ben Johnson and Joel Selwood went head to head, Sharrod Wellingham took Jimmy Bartel and Max Rooke started on Heath Shaw at half forward.
FOUR QUARTERS
Q1: Geelong 3.6 (24) v Collingwood 2.2 (14)
Collingwood dominated the first part of the quarter kicking the first two goals with Didak, Davis and Brad Dick lively up forward and Geelong struggling to work the ball forward of the centre line. The Cats eventually settled ten minutes in and took control, forcing the Pies to make mistakes under terrific pressure. Geelong kicked the next three goals, completely dominated the clearances, controlled possession and created plenty of scoring opportunities, but wasteful in front of goal. The Magpies broke down going long to half forward. Ablett was sensational.
Q2: Geelong 7.7 (49) v Collingwood 5.8 (38)
Similar to the first quarter, except in reverse. The Cats hurt the Magpies around the clearances with Chapman kicking the opening goal. Misses to Leigh Brown and Swan were made even worse with Tom Hawkins kicking one from long range. Brown was the best of Collingwood’s forwards, but wasteful with 1.2. With Sidebottom, Swan and Didak gathering crucial disposals, and the Pies beginning to apply greater pressure, they manage to wrestle momentum back and finish the quarter with two important goals. Geelong went quiet and the Pies started to win the clearances but they desperately needed Davis to get in to the game.
Q3: Geelong 11.13 (79) v Collingwood 6.9 (45)
The Cats jumped out of the blocks with the opening three goals. Steve Johnson got a lot of the footy but only managed 1.2. Cameron Mooney started kicking straight Joel Corey converted from the angle. Geelong suffocated the Pies and controlled the football. Too many Collingwood players did not have an impact, leaving too much to too few. The Cats open the game up with Shannon Byrnes kicking the Cats fourth of the quarter while the Pies could only manage one goal to Brent Macaffer.
Q4: Geelong 17.18 (120) v Collingwood 6.11 (47)
The Cats were dominant everywhere, with winners in almost every position. While completely in control of the match, Travis Varcoe, Chapman and Ablett tighten the screws on the scoreboard. It was an even contribution from every Geelong player with a special mention to Hawkins who played the ultimate team-orientated game. The Cats cruised through to their third grand final appearance in as many years.
MATCH-UPS THAT MATTERED
Davis didn’t have an impact largely due to the great job done by James Kelly. Ling blanketed Dane Swan everywhere he went. Rooke might not have had much of the ball but he played his role not allowing Shaw to set the Pies up with his run. Brown was the shining light inside-50 for Collingwood, proving a handful for Matthew Scarlett and taking the Cats dashing full-back out of the play on numerous occasions. Travis Cloke didn’t play a traditional forwards role collecting most of his possessions deep inside defensive fifty which hurt the Pies at half-forward.
THE COACHES
Mark Thompson
Responded to suggestions his team was under more pressure than other teams with a super performance. Justified his decision to bring Steve Johnson and Max Rooke straight back in, trained his charges as if they didn’t have a week off going into the preliminary final and looked to have prepared his team wonderfully well. His job is made a little easier because he has such a terrifically balanced and committed playing group, determined to chase more success.
Mick Malthouse
Rolled the dice with some early psychological warfare to no avail. Unable to get his best players into the game and, in fairness, I'm not sure Mick could have done anything to stop the Geelong juggernaut. Didn’t have the cattle at his disposal to challenge the Cats after half time and I wonder how much effort was expended in last week's come-from-behind won against the Crows.
HOW THE GAME WAS LOST
Collingwood could not capitalise on their opportunities when in front of goal. Too much work was left to too few and the Magpies desperately needed options other than Leigh Brown going forward. Unfortunately, the key play makers in Swan, Davis and, to a lesser degree, Didak couldn’t influence the game for their team.
HOW THE GAME WAS WON
The Cats had contributions from all players at various stages of the match. They dominated the clearances giving their forwards good supply. Hawkins got better as the game went on, Steve Johnson displayed all his great qualities and Kelly underlined his importance down back. Simply put, Geelong had more winners across the ground, won more contested possessions, put the opposition under enormous pressure and converted their chances well.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
