The Bullants made the best of wet and slippery conditions, with their Carlton-listed key forwards in Cain Ackland (three goals), Adam Hartlett and Jake Edwards (two goals apiece) contributing significantly to the final scoreline of 18.9 (117) to 6.6 (42).
Collingwood was well served by rookie-listed Brent Macaffer in attack, who, on return from injury, snagged four of his side’s six majors, using his body well in one-on-one marking contests. Kris Pendlebury was again one of the better performed defenders, and onballers Paul Licuria, Daniel Frost and skipper Danny Stanley all featured throughout the day, though none were able to exert an influence capable of altering the result.
Key forward Chris Dawes worked tirelessly in the absence of his usual partner in crime Ben Reid (promoted to the seniors to tackle Carlton the following day). Dawes' work ethic was commendable, as he presented further up the field, allowing for Macaffer to act as the main target deeper in attack.
Although the quarter-time scoreline suggests that the Bullants dominated from start to finish, it was the Magpies who made the early running in the opening term, moving the ball forward with purpose and displaying great intensity without the ball, their efforts rewarded with the opening goal to Cameron Wood.
From thereon in, however, it was all one way traffic, as the Bullants dominated the centre clearances, allowing their forwards every opportunity to find space on the lead, booting eight of the next nine goals to lead at the first break by six goals. Ackland, known primarily as a ruckman, was proving too tall for John Anthony at full forward, while Edwards and Hartlett were giving the likes of Alan Toovey and Tyson Goldsack plenty to think about.
With the deficit already 36-points, the Pies fought back hard in the second quarter, shutting the game down, and not allowing the Ants onballers the ease with which they moved the ball in the opening term. No goals were scored by either side, however, although the bleeding had been arrested.
After the main break, Collingwood scored three goals to the Bullants four, leaving themselves 45-points in arrears at three quarter time. Despite the margin, Macaffer continued to present in attack, while Dawes added his goal for the day, as well as paving the way for others to attempt to score full points. Toovey was solid in defence, proving his side with badly needed rebound, and marking strongly above his head. A late Macaffer goal a deserved reward for effort after his onballers worked feverishly to find a clear path to goal.
Unfortunately for Magpies coach Gavin Brown, his side was unable to make any further inroads in the last quarter, the Bullants enjoying the benefits of junk time, adding a further six goals to win by 75-points.
“The second quarter was much better, the first quarter was really disappointing from an effort point of view, we changed our match ups a little bit, and changed our structure around and that worked a lot better, but yeah it was a disappointing last quarter, really,” said Brown.
“I think (what we need to work on) it’s our ability to maintain or sustain our intensity for a whole game, I mean there are a lot of young players out there, but they just have to grow up pretty quickly, and that’ll give us the opportunity to play some good footy, but if we don’t get that right, it’s going to be hard to play that good footy.”
“There were a few boys down there who were ok, I’m not sure who they would have looked at for next week, because most blokes had some flaws in their game, although some of the VFL boys were good, Frost worked hard, and Iles was ok.”
Brown explained that a number of players now in their third season at the club need to match their ability with a high intensity before they can truly match it at the highest level.
“They’re not yet at the crossroads, but they’ve got to learn that, across the board, it is a tough game, and that they are playing at a high level, and while they’re not at AFL level, they’ve still got to apply a high output in intensity before you’re going to benefit from the rewards of playing some good footy.”
Brown was also pleased with the efforts of Dawes, and believes that Tyson Goldsack, returning from niggling injuries, will need to continue to find his touch in the VFL before a senior return.
Collingwood clash with former affiliate Williamstown at Princes Park next Saturday afternoon at 2pm. The Magpies will be desperate to snap a six game losing streak against the top of the ladder Seagulls, who have dropped only one match this season.
Collingwood: 2.1, 2.1, 5.3, 6.6 (42)
Northern Bullants: 8.1, 8.4, 12.6, 18.9 (117)
Goals – Collingwood: Macaffer 4, Wood, Dawes
Northern Bullants: Hartlett 3, Ackland 3, Edwards 2, Joseph 2, Jacobs 2, Pfeiffer, Iacobucci, Colbert, Ellard, Benjamin
Best – Collingwood: Iles, Pendlebury, Frost, Macaffer, Dawes, Licuria
Northern Bullants: Iacobucci, Austin, Browne, Blackwell
2008 collingwoodfc.com.au VFL MVP Award
* A total of 10 votes can be allocated each match
Round 10 votes
1 – Iles, Pendlebury, Frost, Macaffer, Dawes
Progressive
8. Iles
7. Cox, Nicholls
5. Stanley, Crow, Macaffer
4. Wellingham, Cook
3: Toovey, Bryan, Anthony, McCarthy, Frost
2: Walsh, Lonie, Pendlebury
1: Carmody, Clarke, Holland, Licuria, Jurrah, Reid, Dyas, Dawes
