Few opposition teams or pundits have much sympathy for Collingwood when it comes to their AFL draw.
Most feel the Magpies have a dream run with fixturing, which this year has them leaving Victoria just four times, enjoying 14 of their 22 matches at the MCG and includes six Friday night games.
Following a trip to Adelaide to face Port in two weeks’ time, the Pies then have seven straight MCG matches to end the home-and-away season and prepare for a tilt at a drought-breaking flag.
But Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse took a swipe at the 2010 draw following his side’s victory over Sydney on Saturday night – and the veteran coach had a valid point.
The 13.18 (96) to 10.11 (71) win took the Magpies to third, just two points behind Geelong and St Kilda, and Malthouse said if his team stays in the top four it will be well-deserved.
The Pies play Geelong, St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs twice this season, while the other big three only have one showdown against each other over the 22 rounds.
“I said to the boys before the season started, we can’t have an even draw because it’s not practical with 16 teams and 22 games,” Malthouse said.
“I said if we can make the top four with the draw we’ve got, and we’re a long way from it, we play the premiers twice (Geelong), the runners-up twice (St Kilda), third-place twice (Bulldogs), the previous premier twice (Hawthorn) plus regular Carlton, Melbourne games twice.
“We have every right to think we’ve earned top four.
“We’re not there yet, but each of those three (top) sides play each other once.
“I was under the impression top sides should play each other twice and bottom sides play each other twice to have a more realistic draw.
“Not the case, but we don’t control it and we’ll take it.”
Collingwood have gone about their business rather quietly to date, with Geelong and St Kilda justifiably hogging the favouritism spotlight, while Fremantle have also earned plenty of press as the year’s surprise packet.
It doesn’t bother Malthouse, who said his team are still chasing the top two.
The Magpies have lost their matches against both sides so far and face St Kilda again in round 16 followed by the Cats three weeks later.
“They’re the best sides,” he said.
“They’re clearly the best sides and we’ve got some work to do.
“That’s the challenge.”
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