Tonight’s NAB Cup game sees Collingwood and Melbourne doing battle under the roof at Etihad Stadium, and a clash between two of Michael Malthouse’s coaching proteges – Nathan Buckley and Mark Neeld. Join us for live scores and blog from 7:40pm AEDT.
Collingwood were far from impressive in their opening matches up in Blacktown, defeating GWS and the Western Bulldogs by meagre margins, but considering that their realistic aim is to be holding the premiership cup aloft in seven months’ time, they can be forgiven for taking it easy against inferior opposition in two ‘fairy floss’ affairs.
With an ever-lengthening injury list at the Lexus Centre, all is not perfectly in order for a tilt at the flag, but the best way to dispel any doubts, both internal and external, is victory, which is what they’ll be chasing tonight.
Melbourne had the misfortune of playing in the midst of a tropical storm against the Queensland-based sides, so not much can be read into their performance of splitting their matches into a win and a loss against two teams that resided in the bottom three throughout 2011.
Rookie coach Mark Neeld has demanded competitiveness above all else from his team this year, and was happy with what he saw.
Even so, he’ll be expecting a cleaner brand of football under the dry conditions that Etihad alone can guarantee, and we will all learn if the Melbourne ‘talk’ of recent years will finally be put into action.
As much interest in the Nab Cup resides in who is missing as opposed to playing, so let’s examine which players will be watching from the grandstand.
The Pies are going in reasonably strong, missing seven of their predicted best team, which includes the likes of Alan Didak and Jarryd Blair, neither of whom are necessarily guaranteed a spot, although recent knee injuries to Andrew Krakouer and Brent Macaffer certainly help their claims.
Backmen Chris Tarrant, Harry O’Brien and Ben Johnson are also absent, along with utility Tyson Goldsack, and mid-forward Dayne Beams.
A change of coach can often make it hard to settle on a best 22, especially if that team experienced the turmoil that Melbourne did towards the end of 2011.
Not many will forget the 186-point drubbing the Demons copped at the hands of Geelong last year, and it was hard to make a case for any player to be in the side after that performance.
With several spots up for grabs in the Melbourne line-up, I can only identify six players missing that are probably guaranteed selection, and they are co-captains Jack Grimes and Jack Trengove, forward recruit Mitch Clark, along with Jared Rivers, Brent Moloney and tackle-machine Jordie McKenzie.
With both Neeld and Buckley cutting their teeth under the Malthouse regime at Collingwood, we can rightly anticipate some similarities in game plan this year, so much of tonight’s interest centres on the style of play of the respective teams.
The Pies have been renowned in recent seasons for their boundary-line play, so we may see them attack through the corridor more often, and while Melbourne were looking to get the ball in long and quick to the physicality of Mitch Clark in round one, was it purely driven by the conditions? And what impact will his absence have?
With the Demon players fighting for spots and still trying to impress a new coach, their intensity will be high, and even if Collingwood doesn’t match them in this regard, they still have many elite, premiership players to call on.
I believe the Magpie class will prevail, but intensity can cover all manner of sins, so this will be closer than many may predict, and an upset will not surprise.
Mark Neeld will be expecting no favours from his former colleague Nathan Buckley, but can he get one-up on his old club with a win tonight? It’s an intriguing preseason matchup and we’ll cover it from siren-to-siren from the first bounce at 7.40pm AEDT. If you’re following along don’t hesitate to leave your thoughts in the space below.
Thanks. He won't just establish himself as a regular, I can guarantee he will be standing in the centre square on Sunday March 31 at 1.10pm against Brisbane. He is going to be a pivotal player for the Dee's this year, releasing Sylvia, and perhaps even Moloney to spend more time on the outside to utilize their penetrating kicking.
The Oudsman
Guest
Good blogging. With two on the LTI for the Dees, Magner appears a lock at this stage to be elevated. Gawn is just that for the year, so he's going to get every chance to establish himself as a regular.
It's been a great game, the best of the Nab Cup so far, and has perhaps given us an indication that the competition this year may be more even than was first thought. The press, intensity, tackling, and pressure acts will all go to a new level in 2012, and it will be whichever teams can get their structures to withstand it, who will feature in finals. Thanks for being a part of it tonight, enjoy the rest of your Saturday! P.S - Anyone who doesn't have James Magner in their fantasy sides isn't serious about winning.
What to make of Collingwood? They had a reasonably strong team in tonight, and I fancy that Buckley will be scathing behind closed doors. 'Lairising' was a word he used in a half time interview, and that will not sit well with him. Ben Ried was taken off at half time, and they missed his composure in defence and reading of the play. It can not be underestimated how important he is to Collingwood's chances this year. Question marks on the Pies depth? Maybe, and it will be tested. After tonight, I expect Hawthorn to firm in premiership betting, while Collingwood will be eased.
The Demons will take great heart out of this performance, and rightly so, especially with their co-captains on the sidelines, as well as Mitch Clark among others. Rookie James Magner was interviewed post-game, and said 'it's all about pressure' when asked what Mark Neeld demands of his players. Anyone watching will acknowledge that this is so, and throughout the AFL this year, we're going to see some high-intensity contests. From what we saw tonight, Melbourne will be one of the leaders in this area.
FULL TIME Melbourne 0.11.13.79 d Collingwood 1.9.7.70 Ball kicks a goal after the siren to cut the winning margin to nine points.
1 to go fourth quarter Coll 64 Melb 79 The Demons push forward to try for one more goal before full time, and Stefan Martin will get that chance. Goes for a drop punt when a checkside was the order of the day, and he puts it out on the full.
Yes, and the fuse of giddiness that all Demon supporters have has been lit. Most of them will probably think they can win the flag now.
2 to go fourth quarter Coll 64 Melb 79 Dee's do enough to waste some time, ensuring victory. Pies trying to switch their way out of defence.
4 to go fourth quarter Coll 64 Melb 79 Stef Martin thinks he is Usain Bolt, but gets caught, and the turnover sees Ceglar kick truly for the Pies. Can they do it?
The Oudsman
Guest
You fancy Neeld enjoyed being given the chance to test his charges against the best first up, and that that attitude had been passed onto the playing group. Bad luck with your betting.
Yes, I think so, they seem skilled enough, but composure and decision making is questionable. It may be a year where we keep waiting for the 'real' Collingwood, but they might never arrive.
5 to go fourth quarter Coll 58 Melb 79 The Pies go the length of the ground, but Sinclair misses the chance to keep them alive.
6 to go fourth quarter Coll 57 Melb 79 Melbourne dominating play now, everything being done on their terms. Even a Collingwood clearing kick is finding a sea of Demons.
8 to go fourth quarter Coll 57 Melb 79 Dunn outpoints Thomas, earning the free and then kicks long and strong to give the Demons what you'd say is an unassailable lead.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Collingwood's depth seemingly has questions ...
9 to go fourth quarter Coll 57 Melb 73 Buckley will be looking closely at which of his players can show composure under pressure now. This time the Pies press forward, but Wellingham puts it out on the full.
11 to go fourth quarter Coll 57 Melb 73 Another forward entry, another goal to the Demons! This time Nathan Jones does the business, outbustling Luke Ball at a stoppage impressively, and snapping truly.
And long, penetrating I50's are his trademark. Enormous player when on song.
13 to go fourth quarter Coll 57 Melb 66 Petterd proves my previous statement, by swooping on a loose ball, and putting it through. The Dee's fire back!