Melbourne vs Collingwood: Live AFL scores, blog
Columnist By Cameron Rose, 11 Jun 2012 Cameron Rose is a Roar Expert
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- AFL, Collingwood Magpies, live blog, Melbourne Demons
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It’s the annual Queen’s Birthday clash between Melbourne and Collingwood, the Demons coming off a morale-boosting victory against the Bombers, while the Pies are flying high on a seven game winning streak. Join us for live scores and commentary from the first bounce at 3.15pm AEST.
It’s been a wretched year for the Melbourne Football Club, and the long list of reasons why this is so don’t need to be documented again here. The one truth during all of the upheaval amid critics lining up to take their shot was this – winning is the only respite.
A win gives supporters hope, and provides evidence of things promised but not yet seen. A win means that you are not one of the nine losing teams of the week for the media to demand answers from. The let-up from media heat will last longer than a week if the Dees can be competitive today, enjoy their bye and then record a win over GWS the following round.
The main problem for Melbourne has been an inability to win their share of the ball, a problem exacerbated by poor efficiency when they do. They have also on occasions lacked the desire to win it back, but all of this was improved against an Essendon admittedly well short of their best.
The Demons had more kicks, marks, handballs and tackles than their opposition last week, and once again it was Nathan Jones and Jack Grimes leading the way, two of only three players who have averaged more than 20 disposals a game in 2012. Jack Watts was composed in his new role down back, and while Mitch Clark provided the early target inside forward fifty, he was later joined by Colin Garland who inspired the victory with his last quarter heroics.
Melbourne will need all of that and more today in looking to defeat the rampant Collingwood outfit.
You know you’re a good team when the loss of Brownlow medal favourite Scott Pendlebury barely raises a ripple of concern due to being offset by the return of previous years winner, Dane Swan. Darren Jolly and Chris Tarrant also return from injury, replacing Cameron Wood and Kirk Ugle, so the Pies are indisputably stronger.
Much has been made of Steele Sidebottom and Dayne Beams fulfilling their potential in the absence of Luke Ball, and rightly so. Less heralded has been Marty Clarke seamlessly slipping into the back six after a 2 and a half year absence, and young forwards Alex Fasolo and Ben Sinclair only missing one match between them, averaging six tackles and a couple of goals a game together.
Alan Didak looks to have rediscovered his mojo after taking a leave of absence in 2011, niggling injuries notwithstanding, and Dale Thomas ignited his season with a match-winning last quarter against Adelaide, and continued on in the same vein to take best-on-ground honours against the Suns last week. Once Daisy gets into a groove, he generally holds his devastating form, so look for another big showing today.
There aren’t any secrets about this Queen’s Birthday match. The Pies will dominate the midfield battle from the outset due to greater talent and depth in this area. Frawley is back for the Demons, which is just as well because Travis Cloke appears back in form and will be getting a great deal of supply.
Melbourne’s best chance is that Collingwood have already mentally relaxed due to facing inferior opposition leading into next week’s bye, and if this is the case the Dee’s will need to capitalize with a frenzied attack on the ball and man.
This match last year saw an 88 point victory to satisfy the black and white army, and while victory will again be comfortable, it may not stretch out to a fifteen goal margin.
Collingwood by 50+ points.
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Cameron Rose is a born and bred Melbournian, raised on a regime of AFL, cricket and horse racing. He likes people who agree with him but loves those that don't, for in his mind there is nothing better than a roaring debate. He tweets from @camtherose.
The Crowd Says (88) | Page 1 of Comments
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7:52am
ted thorne said | 7:52am | Report comment
Collingwood get a lot of help from the umpires. A perfect example is the blatant around the neck by Harry O’Brien in the first quarter which was not penalised. Why are the umpires selectively blind with Collingwood !
7:20pm
The Cattery said | 7:20pm | Report comment
An excellent crowd of 64,000 today.
That’s 257k for this round, over six matches, or nearly 40k average per game for round 11 (including one game that only got 12,500, at Carrara).
10:08pm
The Cattery said | 10:08pm | Report comment
sorry, that should have been 237k
12:06am
Norm said | 12:06am | Report comment
How is the average going for the YTD, Cattery?
5:58pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:58pm | Report comment
The margin was 42 points to Collingwood, and it was a fair reflection. The Pies dominated early before taking their foot off and allowing the Dees back into the game after they lifted their own intensity.
The underdogs got withing 3-4 goals a couple of times, but the Pies always seemed to have something in hand, led by Swan, Beams, Sidebottom, Blair and Wellingham, who between them had an extraordinary 163 disposals and 8 goals between them.
Both sides will appreciate the bye next week, the Demons to take some time away from the media glare that has engulfed them all year, while the Pies deserve a rest after eight wins on end.
Melbourne will resume with a critical game against GWS, with the winner almost certain to avoid the wooden spoon. Collingwood will return to a match at the MCG against West Coast in a game that will have a huge build up, the winner entitled to be declared premiership favourite.
Thanks for joining me today, and i’ll see you around The Roar.
11:23pm
hamleyn said | 11:23pm | Report comment
Good result from the Pies considering all the injuries to players who still have a chance to come back this season (Toovey, Pendlebury, Reid, Shaw, Didak). Great crowd too and an entertaining final quarter. Melbourne have to beat GWS in 2 weeks or Mark Neeld will need the sack.
5:53pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:53pm | Report comment
GOALS
Coll: Sinclair 3, Wellingham, Swan, Blair, Goldsack, Cloke, Jolly, Fasolo 2, Beams, Sidebottom 1
Melb: Clark 4, Dunn, Howe 2, Trengove, Sylvia, Magner, Blease, Rivers 1
DISPOSALS
Coll: Swan 42, Beams 37, Sidebottom 36, Blair 27, Wellingham 21
Melb: Jones 31, Grimes 25, Morton 19, Howe, Watts, McKenzie 18
5:51pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:51pm | Report comment
A late goal to the running Blease, a just reward for a pretty good day for him.
FULL TIME
COLLINGWOOD 19.15.129 DEF MELBOURNE 13.9.87
5:49pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:49pm | Report comment
Jolly marks a long Dawes ball, and kicks his second for the day.
He’s always been an accurate set shot for goal, such an important trait for a ruckman.
Melb 12.9.81
Coll 19.15.129
1 to go 4th Quarter
5:47pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:47pm | Report comment
Dees look to go again, and Dunn drives it forward, with a behind resulting.
Grimes sends it forward, but Tarrant repels. Dawes tries his hand at setting up an attack, but Jones sends it Melbourne’s way.
Not much happening now, if truth be told.
Melb 12.9.81
Coll 18.15.123
2 to go 4th Quarter
5:44pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:44pm | Report comment
Trengove kicks one for the Dees after Sylvia did some bullocking.
Melb 12.8.80
Coll 18.15.123
3 to go 4th Quarter
5:43pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:43pm | Report comment
Dawes and Clark in the ruck, relieving the senior men for a moment.
Thomas gets the Pies going, feeding to Sinclair, who sends it long. Swan outmarks Watts on the goal-line, and puts it through.
Just too strong by Swan there.
Melb 11.8.74
Coll 18.15.123
4 to go 4th Quarter
5:42pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:42pm | Report comment
Jones goes after Wellingham in a crude tackle, seemed like some feeling in that one, perhaps he owed him one.
Dawes looks for Swan on the lead, who has Watts as his marker. They indulge in some byplay with the ball on the ground, with Swan the winner before the adoring masses.
Blair gets a goal as a result, his second.
Melb 11.8.74
Coll 17.15.117
5 to go 4th Quarter
5:39pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:39pm | Report comment
Swan still finding the ball, he’s topped 40 for the seventh time in his career.
Beams roves a Jolly tap in the forward pocket to perfection, and he finishes his work today with a goal. He’s been impressive.
Melb 11.8.74
Coll 16.15.111
6 to go 4th Quarter
5:38pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:38pm | Report comment
Pies needed that one again. Perhaps not ‘needed’, but i’m sure it was nice for them to quell the Melbourne uprising.
Grimes goes long to Jamar, but the ball spills over the line. Blease tries to clear but Maxwell dives to smother.
Melb 11.8.74
Coll 15.15.105
8 to go 4th Quarter
5:35pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:35pm | Report comment
Jones and McKenzie try to push it forward, but another ball up results. Sidebottom clears to Goldsack, but Mcdonald claims him, and the umpire asks for the ball, before finding a free after a late incident from Thomas.
Grimes pushes it forward, and Magner snaps to the top of the square, but Tarrant forces it over the boundary.
Almost 70,000 people at the game if i’ve heard correctly.
Sidebottom runs onto a Sinclar ball at the 50m line, and keeps going before finishing truly.
Melb 11.8.74
Coll 15.15.105
9 to go 4th Quarter
5:32pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:32pm | Report comment
Melbourne goes forward again, and Mitch Clark marks strongly 35m out among a pack of four.
He kicks his fourth, and the Demons won’t lie down, full credit to them.
Melb 11.8.74
Coll 14.15.99
10 to go 4th Quarter
5:30pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:30pm | Report comment
Darkness descends over the MGC, and the sting has certainly gone out of the game, which perhaps is why this has been so open. Not much defensive pressure being applied now.
Howe puts his head over the ball and wins a free, but the Dee’s can’t make much of it. Tapscott shoves Maxwell into the Melbourne bench after the ball runs out.
Garland chips it to Dunn, cleverly, and the mark it taken at point blank range. He kicks it.
Melb 10.8.68
Coll 14.15.99
11 to go 4th Quarter
5:27pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:27pm | Report comment
Swan gets first possession this time, he may threaten 50 at this rate, but will probably fall in the mid-high 40′s.
The Dee’s rebound through Jones, who kicks long to the square, and Rivers marks 10m out.
He makes no mistake, and this quarter has been a goal-fest so far.
Melb 9.8.62
Coll 14.15.99
12 to go 4th Quarter
5:26pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:26pm | Report comment
Grimes clears, and Dunn sends one skewing toward goal, and it bounces six different ways before running through.
Melb 8.8.56
Coll 14.15.99
13 to go 4th Quarter
5:24pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:24pm | Report comment
Fasolo draws a free for being held, using his craft as a small forward to win that one.
He kicks truly and the Magpie army have enjoyed this term so far, with the promise of more to come.
Melb 7.8.50
Coll 14.15.99
14 to go 4th Quarter
5:23pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:23pm | Report comment
Brad Green was subbed at the end of the third too, so Lynden Dunn is in the game.
It’s been quite the fall for the former Demon skipper, and he does not look happy about it. I sense that he’ll retire at the end of this year.
Sylvia crashes into Young, forcing the young redhead to draw some deep breaths as he comes from the ground.
Dunn kicks a behind.
Melb 7.8.50
Coll 13.15.93
15 to go 4th Quarter
5:20pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:20pm | Report comment
Beams gets it three times to help win the clearance, combining with Thomas and Sidebottom in a 1-2-3, and he sends it long, where Cloke runs on to it, and snaps a goal around the corner, dribbling it along the ground.
Pies have smashed it in the opening minutes here.
Melb 7.7.49
Coll 13.15.93
17 to go 4th Quarter
5:19pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:19pm | Report comment
Great pick up in greasy conditions by Fasolo.
Wellingham gets the clearance to Goldsack, who turns and goals from 50m out. Two is quick succession here, and if there was any doubt, that’s the ball game.
Melb 7.7.49
Coll 12.15.87
18 to go 4th Quarter
5:18pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:18pm | Report comment
Too many handballs from the Pies today according to Rodney Eade, assistant coach at the Pies.
McKenzie gets the first clearance, but Sidebottom runs back with the flight to mark it. Young sends it forward long and deep and Fasolo snaps a goal.
Melb 7.7.49
Coll 11.15.81
19 to go 4th Quarter
5:15pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:15pm | Report comment
The Dee’s won the quarter convincingly, and from quarter time it’s been 7.3 to 4.12 in Melbourne’s favour.
From a contest perspective, it’s a shame the Melbourne were so slow to begin, or we could have a real game on our hands. We still might if the Dees can strike early.
5:13pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:13pm | Report comment
GOALS
Melb: Clark 3, Howe 2, Sylvia, Magner 1
Coll: Sinclair 3, Wellingham 2, Swan, Blair, Goldsack, Cloke, Jolly 1
DISPOSALS
Melb: Jones 22, Morton 17, Howe, Grimes 15
Coll: Swan 34, Beams, Sidebottom 27, Blair 23
5:11pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:11pm | Report comment
THREE QUARTER TIME
Goldsack has a shot for goal after the siren, kicking from 50m out near the boundary. He misses to the right.
Melbourne 7.7.49
Collingwood 10.15.75
5:13pm
Ian Whitchurch said | 5:13pm | Report comment
Collingwood will need to find their intensity again, or with the first goal to Melbourne it could be embarressing
5:09pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:09pm | Report comment
Buckley looks pensive in the coaches box, this has become closer than he’d like after the early annihilation by his men of their Melbourne counterparts.
The Pies pass it around deep in defence, the Dees are pressing effectively, ultimately forcing them to go long down the line.
Elliots crumbs and drives it long to Thomas who leaps early, forcing McKenzie to give away the free. He’s a superb player Thomas, but has been well held today. He hits the post.
Melb 7.7.49
Coll 10.14.74
1 to go 3rd Quarter
5:07pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:07pm | Report comment
Macdonalds chips in to mark the rebound and he finds Mitch Clark close to goal.
Clark puts it through, he’s become a very reliable player at the Dee’s.
Melb 7.7.49
Coll 10.13.73
2 to go 3rd Quarter
5:05pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:05pm | Report comment
Sylvia and Jones combine to go forward, but Young shows great poise to spoil, recover and find Wellingham by foot.
Goldsack drops what he might have taken and Melbourne clears. Moloney looks for the lead of Rivers, but Green comes back with the flight, and marks courageously.
He pushes his kick, he’s a shadow of the once very good player it was, and it’s a behind.
Melb 6.7.43
Coll 10.13.73
3 to go 3rd Quarter
5:02pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:02pm | Report comment
Beams gets another clearance, and the Pies link on the members wing with 8-10 touches. Blair went forward, but Dawes gives a free kick away.
Sellar goes long, but Williams cuts off a Blease pass and goes long himself back the other way. Watts gets caught holding the ball, and Sidebottom sends it deep to Dawes who can’t hold the mark.
Beams marks a Tarrant chip just on 50m, and will try and go all the way from the set shot. Good effot, but it just fades late.
Melb 6.6.42
Coll 10.13.73
6 to go 3rd Quarter
5:00pm
independent said | 5:00pm | Report comment
Real pity having to put up with McAvaney commentating again, also the rest of them are frightened to say anything against Collingwood. should tell them Mick isn’t coaching anymore.
5:14pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:14pm | Report comment
Yeah, he’s deteriorated since Ch 7 got the footy back. Sick of the McAvaney/Commetti show.
4:58pm
Cameron Rose said | 4:58pm | Report comment
Jamar tries to clear, but Blair chops it off, and Wellingham goes forward to Cloke, who will send it in.
Great pass to Goldsack, who marks on the lead. He’ll line up from 45m out on a reasonably sharp angle.
It’sa great kick, just the steadier that the Pies needed.
Melb 6.6.42
Coll 10.12.72
8 to go 3rd Quarter
4:56pm
Cameron Rose said | 4:56pm | Report comment
Nicholson throated by Goldsack going for a mark, and is still down.
The ball is rebounded from the Melbourne backlline straight up the middle, but Elliot hits the post when Morton applied enough pressure on his kick.
Watts finds Clark deep inside 50, and a goal results. They’re actually on top here.
Melb 6.6.42
Coll 9.12.66
10 to go 3rd Quarter
4:54pm
Cameron Rose said | 4:54pm | Report comment
Plenty of feeling in it now after that Tapscott hit on Fasolo, but it may backfire on Melbourne, as it may reignite the Pie players who have flattened off after their sizzling opening.
Sidebottom clears with a long kick forward, but Elliot turns it over and Watts capitalizes. Morton hits Howe, who finds Green 48m out on the boundary.
Tough kick from here, will need his best, but he pulls it for a behind.
Melb 5.6.36
Coll 9.11.65
11 to go 3rd Quarter
4:51pm
Cameron Rose said | 4:51pm | Report comment
Tapscott charges through Fasolo as he marks, driving an elbow into his ribs. Strong, if reckless, play from the young bull, which I don’t mind.
Two 50m penalties were given after that, but a behind only results. Fasolo is helped from the ground but looks like he’ll be okay.
Thomas has a shot from the boundary, but it goes across the face.
Melb 5.5.35
Coll 9.11.65
13 to go 3rd Quarter
4:49pm
Cameron Rose said | 4:49pm | Report comment
Jolly taps expertly to Thomas, who wins a free for being held.
He uses Sidebottom to go forward, but Clarke jumps on the ball and is pinged. Nicholson uses Frawley, who in turn finds Watts. The Demons trying to control the tempo here, chipping it around the back half before sending it long to the boundary.
Moloney wins the clearance, and he drives it forward, where a stoppage results 40m out. Garland wins the ball, but misses.
Dee’s more intense around the ball, you can see their desperation.
Melb 5.5.35
Coll 9.9.63
14 to go 3rd Quarter
4:46pm
Cameron Rose said | 4:46pm | Report comment
A real momentum killer from Morton there, he’s a much-maligned player, and this is why. Neeld gives him a bake after he’s taken from the ground.
Dee’s win the clearance again, and Clark takes a pack mark, and swings the ball beautifully through the middle.
Melb 5.4.34
Coll 9.9.63
16 to go 3rd Quarter
4:44pm
Cameron Rose said | 4:44pm | Report comment
Morton slips and wins a free for high contact, shouldn’t have been paid in my opinion. He turns it over terribly, and Swan finds Sinclair inside fifty, who runs into an open goal.
Melb 4.4.28
Coll 9.9.63
17 to go 3rd Quarter
4:42pm
Cameron Rose said | 4:42pm | Report comment
The second half is underway, and it starts in familiar fashion, with Beams getting first possession.
The Dee’s go forward however, and Howe drives it to Sylvia who is alone directly in front of goal. He kicks truly, and that’s four in a row to them.
Melb 4.4.28
Coll 8.9.57
18 to go 3rd Quarter
4:26pm
Cameron Rose said | 4:26pm | Report comment
Swan and Beams have touched it 23 times apiece in the race to 50, and Sidebottom’s had 17. Jones and Grimes lead the way for the Demons, with 14 and 13 respectively.
4:25pm
Cameron Rose said | 4:25pm | Report comment
So, somewhat improbably, the Demons actually didn’t lose the quarter in the end, fighting back with enough gusto to at least tie it.
There’s no doubt that the Collingwood players have one eye on the bye already, and not many could blame them.
Pies lead the disposal count 208-142 and the tackles 44-33. Inside 50′s are 29-20 the Magpies way, but they could only kick 2.6 that quarter, with most misses from long range and pretty close.
The Dee’s at least showed some fight that quarter, and were able to expose the faltering workrate of the Pies, able to find an open man in their forward half of the ground when they went forward.
4:21pm
Cameron Rose said | 4:21pm | Report comment
HALF TIME
Melbourne 3.4.22
Collingwood 8.9.57
GOALS
Melb: Howe 2, Magner 1
Coll: Wellingham, Sinclar 2, Swan, Blair, Cloke, Jolly 1
4:26pm
Ian Whitchurch said | 4:26pm | Report comment
Since I posted the roast about tackles vs possessions …
Melbourne, 11 tackles, Collingwood 59 possessions, so one in five and a half.
Collingwood 11 tackles, Melbourne 53 possessions, so one every call it five.
Theres a lesson here about important combinations of stats.
4:34pm
Cameron Rose said | 4:34pm | Report comment
It’s certainly a worthy point, and largely speaks to desire. Skill is also required to maintain possession of course.
4:39pm
Ian Whitchurch said | 4:39pm | Report comment
Effective disposals = ( Disposals * Disposal efficiency) – clangers
Reminds me, I have to re-calculate that for GWS
4:20pm
Cameron Rose said | 4:20pm | Report comment
Sylvia, Green and Morton combine to send it forward, and Clark and Jamar try to mark for Melbourne, but neither can, and a ball up eventuates.
Moloney tries to barge his way through, but Jolly stops him cold, and the Collingwood ruckman wins a free for his troubles.
Melb 3.4.22
Coll 8.9.57
1 to go 2nd Quarter
4:19pm
Cameron Rose said | 4:19pm | Report comment
Sidebottom sends it forward, and Cloke gets on the end of it, marking 50m out righ ton the boundary. He unloads a big kick, but it is touched on the line.
Plenty of scrap and fight on the outer wing, both sides trying to inch it forward, but eventually Tarrant wins a free, but the Dees cut off the attacking move.
Melb 3.4.22
Coll 8.9.57
2 to go 2nd Quarter
4:16pm
Cameron Rose said | 4:16pm | Report comment
Jamar wins a free and Rivers sends it forward. Melbourne have clearly lifted their intensity and the crowd can sense it, but the Pies have no doubt dropped off, which is bound to happen when you’re 50 points up halfway through the second quarter.
O’Brien kicks to Goldsack, who looks for Dawes, but a stoppage results, followed by another.
It’s good seeing Jamar and Jolly grapple and wrestle, two ruckman from the old-school, who don’t want rotations and rests, they just want to go at each other for the full 120 minutes.
Melb 3.4.22
Coll 8.8.56
4 to go 2nd Quarter
4:12pm
Cameron Rose said | 4:12pm | Report comment
Blair is a small man and wins a high free at the centre clearance, not his first today. The Dee’s rebound through Watts to Jones, and somehow Magner snaps from outside fifty, and it clears everyone and bounces through!
Three in a row to the Dee’s!
Melb 3.4.22
Coll 8.8.56
5 to go 2nd Quarter
4:18pm
Ian Whitchurch said | 4:18pm | Report comment
MFC should be trawling through the State leagues for another couple of Magners.
They desperately need players with his level of heart, even if they do lack elite pace, foot skills and endurance.
4:11pm
Cameron Rose said | 4:11pm | Report comment
Jones clears to Moloney, but Young punches the ball out of bounds from the kick.
Blair wins a free, but Brown kicks it out on the full. Grimes sends it to the square but the Pies clear to the boundary at their half back.
Nicholson wins the ball in the middle of the ground, and Howe marks the entry in front of a pack of four. He kicks his second in a row, he’s a one man band at the moment.
Melb 2.4.16
Coll 8.8.56
6 to go 2nd Quarter
4:08pm
Cameron Rose said | 4:08pm | Report comment
Melbourne finally goes forward, but Maxwell, as ever, is in the way, and the Pies clear to the outer side. Cloke finds Elliot, who will look inboard to Fasolo, who roves his own mark, but snaps on the full.
Garland finds Magner in the centre square, who uses Grimes, and Howe gets on the end of it, with a running goal from outside 50. Howe has been their best so far, he has a real presence and would be even better in a good team.
Melb 1.4.10
Coll 8.8.56
8 to go 2nd Quarter
4:05pm
Cameron Rose said | 4:05pm | Report comment
Swan gets another touch, up to 18 already I think, and the Pies clear from a clever kick from Blair to Beams. He goes long, but misses.
The Dees kick out always gets marked near the boundary roughly 50m out, but they can never find a target with the secondary kick. True again here, and Fasolo sends it inside 50 after Thomas won it back.
Jones wins a free but can’t clear, Brown finds Daisy, who will send it deep to a big pack, and Watts reads it better than all, marking strongly, looks very comfortable down back as the loose.
Melb 0.4.4
Coll 8.8.56
10 to go 2nd Quarter
4:08pm
Ian Whitchurch said | 4:08pm | Report comment
On the plus side, Melbourne are already over their lowest ever score.
I want to repeat a joke about GWS – before we played against North, Choco told us to make sure we had the four points secure by half time.
4:03pm
Cameron Rose said | 4:03pm | Report comment
Pies get the next clearance, Swan handballs to Wellingham, who looks for Cloke on the lead. He can’t mark it, but gets a free and Frawley lands in his back.
From 30m out, no real angle, his kick is gunbarrel straight. The margin is 50 points already. Boy, this could get ugly if the Pies keep the foot down.
Melb 0.4.4
Coll 8.6.54
12 to go 2nd Quarter
4:00pm
Cameron Rose said | 4:00pm | Report comment
Howe is providing a good option from the kick out, he’s marked a few, but rarely does it result in an inside 50 and the Pies are blocking the path to goal on thte wing.
Still no goals this quarter, it looks like Sylvia has broken his nose, but a player will normally come back on after that injury.
McKenzie making life tough for Thomas, but Swan and Beams have brought their own football, and the Pies go forward again, a stoppage results, from which the Dee’s clear.
Blease uses Morton, but Beams is there again and finds Goldsack, who goes long to Wellingham who takes a nice contested mark, jumping over Grimes.
He kicks his second.
Melb 0.4.4
Coll 7.6.48
14 to go 2nd Quarter
4:05pm
Ian Whitchurch said | 4:05pm | Report comment
Melbourne have 89 disposals, Collingwood have 33 tackles. Therefore, one in three Melbourne possessions ends in a tackle.
Collingwood have 149 disposals, Melbourne have 22 tackles. Therefore, one in almost seven Collingwood possessions ends in a tackle.
Theres the ball game, right there.
4:13pm
Cameron Rose said | 4:13pm | Report comment
A nice summation. As ever, it’s a major concern if one team dominates both stats.
3:57pm
Cameron Rose said | 3:57pm | Report comment
Swan finds Blair, who chops it up with his pass inside fifty, and the Dee’s are away from the interception, but an untidy entry sees Collingwood rebound.
Fasolo looks for Dawes who couldn’t catch a cold in his current form, but Beams is there to pinpoint Clarke.
He pushes the kick from 45m out in front.
Melb 0.4.4
Coll 6.6.42
16 to go 2nd Quarter
3:54pm
Cameron Rose said | 3:54pm | Report comment
Jolly and Jamar collide once more to start the second quarter, and a familiar song is sung. Beams gets the clearance, and Cloke taps to Wellingham who fires a long shot, but just misses.
The Dee’s try to chip it around a bit to get back some momentum, or at least deny Collingwood theirs. Not a bad ploy to try and get back into it, but eventually there’s a turnover, and Beams lines up from outside 50 but hits the post.
Sylvia goes off with the blood rule.
Melb 0.4.4
Coll 6.5.41
18 to go 2nd Quarter
3:49pm
Cameron Rose said | 3:49pm | Report comment
The Pies have domiinated possession 97-61, yet have almost double the tackles as well, 24-13. Somehow, somehow, the inside 50′s are basically even 13-12 Collingwood’s way, but few of the Dee’s forays forward have been threatening, while the Pies always look in a position to score when enter fifty.
It’s going to be a long day for Demon fans if this continues, 100 points looks legitimately on the cards.
3:47pm
Cameron Rose said | 3:47pm | Report comment
DISPOSALS
Melb: Trengove, Morton 7, Grimes 5
Coll: Swan 12, Beams 9, Blair, Brown 7
3:46pm
Cameron Rose said | 3:46pm | Report comment
QUARTER TIME
Melbourne 0.4.4
Collingwood 6.3.39
GOALS
Coll: Sinclair 2, Swan, Blair, Wellingham, Jolly 1
3:45pm
Cameron Rose said | 3:45pm | Report comment
Fasolo marks the kick out and sends it long to Cloke, and from the pack, Swan snaps a behind.
This time the Dee’s clear it and Howe jumps high to mark, a common occurence. He sends it forward through Grimes, and Sylvia kicks a point.
Melb 0.4.4
Coll 6.3.39
1 to go 1st Quarter
3:43pm
Cameron Rose said | 3:43pm | Report comment
Swan and Clarke combine, but Morton marks unopposed in the Collingwood fifty. Howe provides and option and uses Blease who looks for Jamar, but Wellingham uses perfect timing to spoil running with the flight.
Swan has ten touches already, back in the swing with no worries at all.
Buckley uses Goldsack who passes to Blair going forward. From 40m out, he pulls the kick slightly, hitting the post.
Melb 0.3.3
Coll 6.2.38
2 to go 1st Quarter
3:45pm
Ian Whitchurch said | 3:45pm | Report comment
Its times like these I’m glad GWS got Power, Cornes, Mohr, Brogan, McDonald and Giles, as theres at least two other teams in the AFL that could have done with them on their list.
4:01pm
Cameron Rose said | 4:01pm | Report comment
From the start I liked that idea of getting those veterens. Another one or two for next year won’t hurt if they can find them either, especially as you’d think there might be some retirements.
3:39pm
Cameron Rose said | 3:39pm | Report comment
Moloney gets the centre clearance, which is Melbourne’s first effective one I’d say.
Mitch Clark snaps a ball that hits the post, still no goal for the Dee’s.
Pies sweep it from defence, while Grimes is in the hands of trainers after a heavy collision. In the meantime, Swan has been found inside 50, and the set shot from 45m out is true.
Melb 0.3.3
Coll 6.1.37
5 to go 1st Quarter
3:37pm
Cameron Rose said | 3:37pm | Report comment
Jamar wins a ruck free, and as is always the case, no one is quite sure who is the recipient.
The Dee’s go forward again through Blease, who sets up a Trengove behind.
Jones wins a clearance, and sends it almost to the goal line, but Magner dives on it and gives away a free. The Pies try to move it quickly, which there hasn’t been a lot of. Sidebottom is important, and Fasolo sends it to the top of the square where the roving Jolly (!) puts it through.
Melb 0.2.2
Coll 5.1.31
6 to go 1st Quarter
3:34pm
Cameron Rose said | 3:34pm | Report comment
Comedy of errors on the Collingwood goal line, but it results in the Dee’s clearing, although they tried their best to give away a goal.
Clark imposing himself at least, winning a hit out with interest and following up with a kick forward. A couple of ball-ups result.
Magner hard tagging Maxwell, Brett Kirk informs us. Clearly Neeld understands how important the Magpie skipper is to the structure of the Collingwood defence.
Pies go forward through Dawes and Swan, but Jones and Macdonald combine to clear it to Clark. Blease weights it perfectly to Green, who will line up for Melbourne’s first from 25m out on a 45 degree angle.
He misses what he should have kicked.
Melb 0.1.1
Coll 4.1.25
8 to go 1st Quarter
3:30pm
Cameron Rose said | 3:30pm | Report comment
Demons under siege early, can’t win enough of the ball, and have largely been poor with it when in their hands.
Another clearance to the Pies, one way traffic at the moment, but it goes out of bounds in the forward pocket.
Mitch Clark having a run in the ruck to get in the game, the Melbourne forward line is a cold place early in this game.
Dawes snaps a behind.
Melb 0.0.0
Coll 4.1.25
10 to go 1st Quarter
3:28pm
Cameron Rose said | 3:28pm | Report comment
Sidebottom clears to Blair, who kicks long from 50m out, and two goals in mere seconds for the Pies.
Melb 0.0.0
Coll 4.0.24
11 to go 1st Quarter
3:27pm
Cameron Rose said | 3:27pm | Report comment
Dawes finds the ball, which has been reasonably rare for him of late, but Cloke falls over and can’t make a contest.
Daisy Thomas runs it inside fifty, and pinpoints Sinclair at the top of the square, who is surrounded by Demons, but none can have an impact. He kicks his second, the Pies clearly on top early.
Melb 0.0.0
Coll 3.0.18
12 to go 1st Quarter
3:26pm
Cameron Rose said | 3:26pm | Report comment
Umpire has called for a review after declaring the goal, but the goal stands. It seems the umpire’s coach can make an overrule. There was some conjecture over whether the ball had hit the post earlier in the play.
The Dee’s go forward through Grimes, but his kick finds only Nathan Brown, who marks and clears, bt it comes back through Garland.
O’Brien and Sylvia are matched up, but only see this one go out. Could be a good match up that one.
Two stoppages follow the boundary throw in, and another one eventuates after the Pies scrap it to their defensive 50.
Melb 0.0.0
Coll 2.0.12
13 to go 1st Quarter
3:22pm
Cameron Rose said | 3:22pm | Report comment
Jolly wins it to Swan, and the Pies go forward through Williams. It scraps around the Pies goal line before Wellingham swoops and puts it through under no pressure.
Melb 0.0.0
Coll 2.0.12
15 to go 1st Quarter
3:21pm
Cameron Rose said | 3:21pm | Report comment
Morton finds Magner on the Members wing, but nothing amounts from the attack, and the Pies clear it to the boundary on the far side.
Watts marks over a pack on the outer wing, and looks for Trengove who can’t quite mark it and another ball-up, probably the sixth or seventh already.
Young warms up for the Pies, it looks like Didak might be out, but he’s still getting checked out.
Barely has there been any clean play so far. Didak is confirmed as out as Goldsack goes forward to Sinclar, who marks 45m out.
He kicks it well, hopefully a few people took the $21 for first goal that I suggested in the preview!!
Melb 0.0.0
Coll 1.0.6
16 to go 1st Quarter
3:17pm
Cameron Rose said | 3:17pm | Report comment
Watts and Elliot getting into each other before the bounce, a bit of feeling already.
First bounce it is, and there is no winner, a secondary stoppage results, followed by a third. This was a hallmark of Melbourne’s play last week, forcing multiple stoppges.
Blair gets the first kick, sending it deep, but Watts chops it off, but sends it only as far as Didak, who marks 45m out.
He shanks it horribly, putting it out of bounds, possibly pulling his groin in the process, and he jogs off the ground.
Untidy opening.
Melb 0.0.0
Coll 0.0.0
18 to go 1st Quarter
3:14pm
Cameron Rose said | 3:14pm | Report comment
Nick Maxwell is joined by Jack Trengove to toss the coin in the middle. The Magpie skipper calls tails, and wins, choosing to kick to the right of the TV screen, the city end.
3:12pm
Cameron Rose said | 3:12pm | Report comment
The sun is out in Melbourne today, so conditions for football are perfect. A dry-weather game will help the Pies for mine, not that they should need it.
2:57pm
Cameron Rose said | 2:57pm | Report comment
As The Cattery has confirmed for us below, Lynden Dunn and Tom Young will be wearing the green vests today. No late changes to either side.
Collingwood are $1.06 to win this one, with Melbourne at $10. Can’t see punters launching into either of those, so perhaps something a bit more exotic will tickle our fancy.
Alan Didak or Ben Sinclair at $21 for first goal kicker might be worth a dollar, or even Dane Swan at the same odds who likes to pop up for a goal or two.
1:53pm
The Cattery said | 1:53pm | Report comment
Any time there’s a game on at the MCG, you can’t help thinking of the Paul Kelly song:
http://instagr.am/p/LuBeaSwZyi/
1:52pm
The Cattery said | 1:52pm | Report comment
Young and Dunn are the subs today.
1:49pm
The Cattery said | 1:49pm | Report comment
Collingwood FC says:
One of these three will return today, Hint: he’s a brownlow medallist.
http://instagr.am/p/Lt9HQswZ_v/
1:48pm
The Cattery said | 1:48pm | Report comment
A shot of Kevin Rose adorns an MCG corridor:
http://instagr.am/p/Lt7-zgwZ-4/