Collingwood celebrates on the dais during the 2010 Toyota AFL Grand Final replay between the Collingwood Magpies and the St Kilda Saints at the MCG, Melbourne.
They say the sequel is rarely better than the original, and plenty of neutrals will agree with that sentiment after yesterday’s one-sided grand final replay, but Collingwood fans won’t. It was a sweet, drought-breaking victory for the Magpie Army as this time round they made their dominance count.
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said after yesterday’s defeat: “In the end they were the dominant team and I think we all need to acknowledge that.”
Few would deny Collingwood that. And in the wake of the debate about grand final replays and extra-time, it is a point worth acknowledging.
Was justice served? Personally I think so.
The minor premiers were the best team throughout the season and had the Saints measure a week ago, only to let it slip. Full credit to St Kilda for their fightback last week, but ultimately the scores ended level.
This time round, Collingwood didn’t make the same mistakes and for that they are deserved premiers.
On face value, there were some symmetries between the two grand finals as Collingwood got off to a bright start on the scoreboard on both occasions, before taking a handy buffer into the main break (24 points last week, 27 points yesterday).
On both occasions, Collingwood were dominant in the first half and appeared in control at the main break. Then came the premiership quarter.
Last week St Kilda surged back with three goals in the third term, while the inaccurate Pies booted five behinds before the final change.
This week there would be no such hiccup from the Magpies who booted five goals this time (while for symmetry sake it should be noted the Saints kicked another three goals in the third yesterday) to have the game wrapped up by three-quarter time.
Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse emphasised the importance of the term post-match yesterday.
“We took the foot off the accelerator, off the throat last week – and full credit to St Kilda who came back – but I just thought if we maintain that pressure than you can’t score against that pressure,” he said.
“That was the key to it and I thought the first 10 minutes to that third quarter was fairly intense.”
That pressure was Collingwood’s defensive game when their opponent had the footy subsequently forcing turnovers, which has been central to their success this season. The Saints found a way through the system last week but yesterday the Pies did not let up.
And, significantly, Collingwood took their chances when the ball turned over.
On the other hand, St Kilda failed to take their chances, kicking seven behinds before registering their first goal of the game.
The Saints, like last week, had their moments in the match but this week couldn’t convert. Against a dominant opponent, that’s costly.
As well, Collingwood dominated in the centre clearances this week. Recruits Darren Jolly and Luke Ball were key figures here.
On the other hand, it took tough onballer Lenny Hayes 19 minutes to get his first touch of the footy yesterday and he seemed a frustrated figure as he sensed fighting a losing battle.
Ultimately, Collingwood didn’t change their approach or style much yesterday from last week. They just got the job done better and took their chances.
The inaccurate Saints didn’t do that and Lyon wasn’t able to find a solution in the coaches’ box this week.
As a result, the Magpies made their dominance count, shut the door early in the third term and ultimately ended a 20-year and one week wait for that elusive premiership. And they fully deserved it.
Congratulations, Collingwood!
joe muz
Guest
Hi BLACK DIAMONDS Regardles of who or what code you follow the replay itself did not cause the underwhelming anti-climax of the grand final replay. Rather ask St Kildas coaching staff what happened, or ask yourself what was the difference between that game or the Geelong/ Port grand final of 2007 Geelong 24/19/163 D/F Port Adelaide 6/8/44 (119 POINTS) ? or 1994 West Coast Eagles 20/23/143 D/F Geelong 8/15/63 (80 POINTS). All without the benefit of an epic first grand final Theres too many changes every year to our GREAT GAME thats what is ruining, it we should leave it alone
Kermit is a frog
Roar Pro
but we got an extra week of footy! And, notice, that the WAFL GF 2 weeks ago was a 1 pt result with mid-high 20,000s in attendance. The AFL GF first time around was a draw, and the SANFL GF on the weekend was a 6 pt margin (Central Districts getting up for 9th win in 11 seasons, alas - as it would've been nice for Norwood to win) and 34,355 in attendance. It only left the VFL GF as a blow out and a crap crowd. But, footy at the 2nd tier is going okay.
Kermit is a frog
Roar Pro
Early days on Sat the reversed free kick that perhaps cost Travis Cloke a goal could have been a critical early moment. As it turned out, it didn't matter one bit. The Heath Shaw smother was fantastic, and helped illustrate just how hot Collingwood were and that StKilda, across the park, just weren't at the same level. Collingwood brought their 'AAA' game, StKilda only brought their H&A season 'A' game that would be enough to dispose of a North Melbourne but not good enough against top notch opposition.
james
Guest
Congrats Collingwood, the game was over few minutes into the third quarter. Unfortunately the replay wasn't a contest. Had the original grand final gone to extra time it would have been a more memorable finish then a flat replay.
Redb
Roar Guru
The right team won. Collingwood have clearly been the best side of the year.
Blitz
Guest
Six o clock sorry have to disagree with you respectfully. Anyone who turned off at half time or didn't enjoy the spectacle just doesn't get it. It was a great game if footy full of intense pressure. The saints are a good team maybe a tad too defensive but their inability to compete in the end was down to the constant pressure and attack on the footy collingwood displayed. Who wouldn't enjoy that? -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
amazonfan
Roar Guru
Who do you barrack for? The Bulldogs? (I mention them in particular because they have had the longest drought since making a GF of any Victorian based club.) Personally, as a Melbourne supporter, I would love to have made 42 GF's, but I would prefer to have won more than 15 of them. :D (Melbourne has won 12 of 17, which is brillliant, especially when you consider that up to 1964 Melbourne won 12 of 15.)
Mister Football
Guest
At least both the saints and dees have made it to one!!
beaver fever
Guest
Bad luck, more than Colliwobbles, just happened to be not good enough, or against some great teams, but the Saints team is a very good one. Collingwood have played in something like 42 GF for 15 flags, but many of their teams in recent history have been quite average and not capable of going all the way. IMO i cant see the Saints improving with out another real key forward, and some more taller pacey goal kicking ballwinners in the midfield. Gilbert is a great gutsy player, but i have noticed that his kicking has continually let him down this year, can he improve his kicking now ?..... i doubt it !!.
Black Diamonds
Guest
St. Kilda. 8 Grand Finals - 1 Win, 1 Draw, 6 Losses. Not a great record. But, Last 7 Finals v Collingwood St. Kilda - 5 Draw - 1 Collingwood - 1 I guess the Pies won when it counted. That is now 4 Losing Grand Finals on the bounce (1971, 1997, 2009, 2010), only Melbourne (2 Losing Grand Finals - 1988, 2000) has a Grand Final losing streak of more than 1. Looks like we are getting the Collingwood disease.
Black Diamonds
Guest
I am a St. KIlda supporter - and we would have been a good chance to get up in extra-time a week ago. But of course there was no extra-time - instead there was a true test of character for the two teams. I am disappointed, but I know the better team won, and they had to earn it. That is how it should be and how it should remain. Premiership Cups should not be handed out because of extra-time unless absolutely necessary. Looking at the stats, there have now been 112 Grand Finals and 3 Grand Final replays. That is a strike rate of drawn Grand Finals of 3/112 or 3/115 - once every 37 or 38 years. If you extrapolate that out, statistics already say that a Grand Final Replay will only go to extra-time 1/1369 or 1/1444 years. I am comfortable with those sort of odds in terms of playing extra-time in the Grand Final Replay. But the Grand Final replay - which seems to be played every couple of generations, should and must stay.
beaver fever
Guest
Puts St Kilda's game plan into the spotlight once again, very, very negative, defensive game, which fails on the highest stage, far to much pressure is put on Nick Reiwoldt, who is costantly up against at least 2 and possibly 3 opponents. The Saints have now played 4 GF (pre season as well) in the last 2 years and not won any, i admire their coach and players, but they must be more attacking. As far as Collingwood goes, very well coached and a exciting bunch of mosty young players, their would be very few people alive who saw Collingwood win 4 flags in a row in the late 1920's and this team is surely the best Collingwood team since the fourpeat team of that era, better than 1966, 70, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 2002/3, and way better than the premiership team of 1990, who was arguably the worst premiership team in a long while. The way it is looking, Collingwood may be back at the G on GF day for a couple more years, membership may grow to be around 70,000 in the next couple of years, Collingwood dwarfs any other club in Australian across any code. Question ?....... Will Eddies head get any bigger ?, BTW great shot of him and his boys yesterday, that is what it is all about for me.
davo
Guest
hahah I thought they were an "absolute joke" in hindsight it helped collingwood though as you wouldve fancies the saints last week with extra-time given their momentum in that match. it was a different story withi a week to think about it all.
davo
Guest
If it was only that simple sixo_clock! really, though, is it about the entertainment for the fans? i like the idea, as the author has alluded to, that justice got served through the replay. Collingwood were the best team and thats hard to ague against.
davo
Guest
Definitely the difference between this week and last was Pies taking their chances. and saints not taking there's. Heath Shaw's smother on Riewoldt was a fine example.
Brett McKay
Expert
Gotta hand it to Collingwood skipper, Nick Maxwell, who didn't let the opportunity pass in his second post-GF interview with Matthew Richardson in a week: "How good are Grand Final Replays?!?"
Richard
Roar Guru
It was a great game of football played at its intensive best. This was finals footy, pressure, commitment, courage, endurance, teamwork, desperation, determination, commmitment, commitment, commitment. The Pies were back to their terrific best and won deservedly after a fantastic season. This was also a game for the fans. Gone were the corporate hangers on, the champagne tents, the suited dandys, the courtiers of image, the dabblers. This time it was a game of foot, played before those who love the game and their team, and what an atmosphere! It was a true celebration of the greatest code of all. I'm proud of my 'Pies and over the moon that they are now deserved Premiers. But I also take my hat of to St Kilda for a terrific season, fought against obstacles all along the way, and a determined and courageous finals season. And after experiencing eleven grand finals losses since I became a 'Pies supporter, I feel for Saints supporters today. I do hope the Saints get to taste Grand Final success soon. They deserve to. But not this year. This year belongs to the 'Pies. Go 'Pies!!!
FuLLy LoAdED MaN
Guest
After what was an incredibly exciting and intentse game last week, this game was always going to stuggle to match the same levels of excitement and intensity and boy didn't it struggle. Unless you are a Collingwood fan this game was excruciating to watch. It was a mess! Any recent converts to the code after last weeks game would have jumped off the wagon by half time of this game. As I said last week, if the replay is a blowout it won't be a good look after the epic Grand Final and wow, it looked very bad. I had a group of AFL, non-AFL and casual sports watchers at my place watching this and everyone was in agreement, the replay is not a good policy. How on earth anyone can defend a policy that creates such an underwhelming anti-climax after what was the best promotion for our game last week is beyond me. The AFL make a lot of good decisions and I hope they get this right, they need to get rid of the replay and go for extra time.
sixo_clock
Roar Guru
Before the game started most understood all that had to happen was for the 'Pies to improve their accuracy. I watched and as soon as soon as it became apparent that the composure had returned and the goals were going to come the game was over. To an irregular follower of your code it was a non-event. This could be construed as an argument to rid yourselves of the repeat GF's. A count-back system would have resolved the issue a week before. As most of your supporters are rusted on and the game was not a great one you are not going to broaden your appeal with this system. Maybe the fans should push for a sensible amendment to the Laws of the game.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
I'd like to make a special mention of Shaw chasing down Riewoldt to stop a certain goal in the first quarter (that rushed behind was the Saints first score of the game). Here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptRU1aO1bog Shaw comes from nowhere, Riewoldt lumbers in thinking he's 20 metres in the clear (and he was) - it's so fast that it's hard to work out what happened in real time, but Shaw does a full body length dive to get to the ball as Riewoldt drops it - so quick does it happen that Riewoldt follows through with the kick, and luckily for Shaw, it's a fresh air kick, when he could just as easily have collected a part of Shaw. Not quite a smother - but one of the all time great grand final goal saves. Collingwood were never going to lose it after that effort.