Chris Bryan of Collingwood evades Bachar Houli of Essendon during the NAB Cup Match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Essendon Bombers at the Docklands Stadium. Slattery Images
At any time during the AFL season, you’ll probably find at least two constants. One will be pressure on a coach; in the wake of Terry Wallace’s departure, Dean Laidley appears to be the next likely target of scrutiny. The other will be the over-hype of one of the clubs. Think Carlton early in the season.
Now, fuelled by a number of articles from noted journalists, much of the tearoom talk and smoko chatter is centring around a Collingwood revival.
Despite there being twelve rounds remaining this season, much of the brouhaha is centring around the Pies’ top four aspirations.
It’s a concept worth examining.
Around three weeks ago, and after his side’s 51-point loss to arch-rival Carlton, the future of Mick Malthouse at the club was the topic of choice.
So what has changed?
Firstly, the Pies have started winning, and we all know how that feeling changes everything.
Still, it must be pointed out that the club’s three consecutive wins have hardly been against the competition’s cream.
Port Adelaide was woeful in its 48-point loss to the Magpies, and West Coast and Melbourne are hardly going to be making a mark on the top eight this season.
In fact, only two of Collingwood’s wins so far this season has come against a side currently in the top eight; the Power and the Brisbane Lions.
Malthouse’s men have been found wanting in heavy defeats to St Kilda and Carlton, while losses also came against Adelaide and Geelong.
A look to the club’s remaining fixtures is inconclusive. There are winnable games against Fremantle and Richmond, and the Magpies also face Sydney twice.
But tougher clashes against Essendon, Geelong, Carlton, Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs (twice) also lie in wait for Collingwood.
So why all the hype?
Of course, it must be said that the Pies had a horrible run with injuries earlier this season, and are even now still getting their some of their best players back.
And while the opposition might have been lacking, the schoolyard-bully style in which the Pies won their past three games might be the reason for sparking such optimism.
Their small forwards, including Alan Didak, a reborn Tarkyn Lockyer, Leon Davis (when not used on the ball) and the unearthing of the exciting Brad Dick, has been a highlight in their side’s return to form.
Add an absent Paul Medhurst into that group, and Collingwood has pace and creativity in spades on its flanks and in its pockets.
The success of the aforementioned has helped the Magpies cover the fact that – John Anthony aside – they have had no fit, firing tall forwards.
Anthony Rocca seems perennially injured and doubts exist over whether he can ever return to the side, while Travis Cloke has battled his own fitness problems and has looked just a shadow of his Copeland Trophy-winning self this season when in action.
Down back, captain Nick Maxwell is doing what Nick Maxwell does best, Harry O’Brien is going from strength to strength and Heath Shaw is showing signs he is returning to his best after a shocking run of form.
But it is the midfield that has really been the key to Collingwood’s return to the top eight.
Davis, Dane Swan and Scott Pendlebury have all upped their outputs in 2009, particularly in the weeks following the Carlton loss.
They are very close – if not already – of joining the league’s on-ball A List.
So there is no doubt the Pies are up, running and in terrific form. But to talk about them as serious contenders to the likes of St Kilda, Geelong and the Western Bulldogs might be premature.
They have a stronger test this Saturday away to Sydney, but few should be surprised if Collingwood reaches its Round 15 clash against the Bulldogs with its winning streak still intact.
Then, Malthouse’s team will really get a chance to show if it truly is a top-four candidate.
Wug
Guest
Hey Richard, I thought there was another team called mmmmmm St. Kilda who might be a chance
Richard
Guest
Yeah RedB. Clearly Leon Davis is a role model for Brad Dick and isn't that terrific. It was quite obvious on Monday that Brad Dick was enjoying his footy, loving being out there and part of it. The joy on his face is catching, not just for the other players but for the fans too. Hope he doesn't lose that. It was inspiring. By the way teddt76, I'm not too one eyed to admit that another great team player I've seen play this year is Gary Ablett Jnr. Looking forward to seeing the two teams meet up in the Finals.
Redb
Roar Guru
Richard, Thought Dick's explanation of his new found goal celebration technique was pretty funny, Leon Davis told him to stop the kiddie clapping stuff and just stick you finger in the air and swirl. Redb
Richard
Guest
What's your point teddt76? Would it be just my Collingwood one eye if I said that Brad Dick was terrific on Monday? He kicked five goals, but he assisted in many more. His skills were terrific and his constant looking to help a team mate are a sign of a great player in the making- and he's only just played his 10th or 11th game. Is it a Collingwood one eye open that makes me proud of his Rising Star nomination this week, or your both eyes shut which prevent you from seeing the good in Good Ol' Collingwood forever?
teddt76
Guest
Richard, Did someone only open their one eye this morning? Typical Collingwood supporter, all your victories are hard earned, match of the round type games and for every loss comes twenty excuses. You pushed Geelong? Kudos to you, but Geelong get "pushed" every week, and still manage to win pretty comfortable. Wouldn't it be nice if a Collingwood supporter for once didn't think they have the best team in the league, just down on their luck.
tim
Guest
richard, you are a tool. who writes that many words on a pointless article? not bad paddy, raise some good points
Great article Paddy, but I reckon the hype this time is justified. I think it was a bit overzealous when the media pumped up the Pies as top-four and a premiership threat after making the NAB Cup GF, but I think they’ve got a good mix at the moment. The nine goal loss to Carlton was an aberration – that was effectively their VFL side playing sprinkled with a few quality players, while narrow losses to Adelaide and Essendon prove they could well already be in the four. True, the last three wins haven’t come against quality sides, but you can only play who you’re drawn, plus the way they’ve gone about those wins has been impressive. For mine the fourth spot could be similar to last year – whoever stands up and lets the rest fall over. St Kilda, probably undeservedly, snuck in last year after Rd 22 losses to North, Collingwood, Sydney, while Adelaide missed out on percentage. It’ll be interesting this year if its Collingwood, Carlton, Brisbane or if Hawthorn can re-emerge – right now you’d have to say on form Collingwood is the best chance. The fact that with 11 rounds to go four of Collingwood’s matches are against the Dogs and the Swans is ridiculous, but that’s the stupitidy of Andy D and his fixturing…
BIGfootBALLS
Guest
In your usual form Paddy, and I'm sure the very few ladies you've been with will agree with me here, you're a little premature. I wouldn't be putting any coin on the Pies making top 4 just yet.
Redb
Roar Guru
Yeah Pip, they shouldn't get too carried away beating 16th place Melbourne is not setting the world on fire. Come to think of it, who have Collingwood beaten of substance this year? Good to watch when they're going, the game against Sydney in Sydney will be a cracker. Swans very unlucky against the Hawks, Adam Goodes is on fire. Redb
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Well, as they say in the classics: "...for the premiership's a cakewalk..." etc I'll believe it when I see it.
Redb
Roar Guru
The maggies crumbing forwards are really making a name for themselves, genuinely dangerous - Didak is a great player, top leg speed and his goal radar is as good as Steve Johnson. Redb
Richard
Guest
Pretty pointless article really, stating the obvious. The Maggies have been out of form and had a string of injuries, and have underperformed. They're getting some players and some form back and they're playing better. True, we won't know until the end of the year whether they've managed to get into the top four, but so what. That's what footy's about. No-one's a certainty. Watch what happens to St Kilda if a half dozen players get swine flu. Incidentally, Collingwood pushed Geelong earlier this year and really it was their inaccuracy in front of goal that day that cruelled them. They let themselves down again on ANZAC Day after a good days footy. True the game against Carlton was pathetic, but actually that stands out as the bad one. The big thing the 'Pies have got right now is their depth. Note the team in the VFL is doing really well. My feeling is, if the 'Pies do make it to the top four, watch out.