Collingwood will be out to erase the memory of their ANZAC Day capitulation when they meet St Kilda at Etihad Stadium. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 7.50pm AEST.
1966 and Barry Breen’s point. Nicky Winmar’s lifting of the guernsey to make a stand. The unedifying Docklands spat between Mick Malthouse and Stephen Milne.
Nick Riewoldt’s match winning finals performance in 2009. Brendon Goddard’s mark and the crooked bounce to deny Milne in that draw.
Heath Shaw’s goal square tackle on Nick Riewoldt a week later.
Tonight brings the latest instalment of Collingwood-St Kilda, one of the most spirited rivalries in football.
The Pies are unbeaten in six matches against the Saints including the aforementioned two grand finals.
Despite notionally being a Collingwood home game, the match is at Etihad Stadium – a venue where the Magpies have won nine of their past ten and St Kilda are 8-5 under Scott Watters.
Collingwood’s comprehensive defeat on ANZAC Day prompted a gentle public critique from stand-in skipper Scott Pendlebury in which he alluded to a habit of teammates running harder in attack than defence.
The Magpies backline has under-performed so far in 2013, with only Brisbane, Melbourne and GWS conceding more points. Shutting St Kilda out will be a priority tonight.
Their other worry has been in the ruck department. Collingwood have tallied fewer hit outs than any other side in the opening five rounds, a trend they’ll be hoping to rectify with the inclusions of both Darren Jolly and debutant Jarrod Witts.
St Kilda – who so far this season rank 12th in attack and eighth in defence – put in a valiant showing against the Swans in Wellington last weekend.
Their line up tonight includes five players with less than five games experience – a ploy which is sure to bring a lot of enthusiasm and is necessary for the long term prospects of the club.
Loading up with inexperienced tyros is a risky strategy, however, because when the going gets tough heads can drop and leadership is thin on the ground. There is some chance of tonight getting ugly for them.
As always, the contest throws up some key tactical issues – mainly for Watters and his staff to assess.
Firstly, what to do about Dane Swan? Swan averages 31 disposals so far this season – second only to fellow Brownlow winner Jobe Watson.
Will the Saints sacrifice one of your own best midfielders to stymie his involvement? Could a Clinton Jones-type be given the role?
Or will they put their hands up, acknowledge that Swan will win the ball anyway and let him run free?
Secondly, Travis Cloke. Key backmen is an area of weakness for St Kilda and there isn’t an obvious match up for Cloke. He dominated the hapless Alex Rance a fortnight ago and could do the same again.
Tip: The Magpies rarely lose two in a row and I expect them to handle this one comfortably. Collingwood by 29.
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
STATS... Kicks - Magpies 229 Saints 182 Handballs - Magpies 134 Saints 108 Marks - Magpies 132 Saints 91 Tackles - Magpies 59 Saints 40 Hitouts - Magpies 35 Saints 39 Frees For - Magpies 24 Saints 21 Inside 50s - Magpies 48 Saints 45 PLAYERS... D Thomas (Col) 34 Montagna (StK) 30 Pendlebury (Col) 28 O'Brien (Col) 27 Swan (Col) 26 Shaw (Col) 22 Armitage (StK) 22 GOALS Collingwood - Cloke 4, Jolly 2, Pendlebury 2, Seedsman 2, Blair, Clarke, Dwyer, Krakouer, O'Brien St Kilda - Riewoldt 4, Siposs 2, Armitage, Gilbert, Milne, Roberton, Koschitzke That's all from me for tonight. Got any thoughts about the match tonight or footy more generally? Please don't hold back with your comments!!! And of course, be on theroar.com.au for live descriptions of every match this weekend!
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Full Time So ends a good, honest contest. In a far from vintage display, Collingwood win by 26 points - a fair reflection of the game - meaning a memorable debut for the impressive Ben Kennedy and Jarrod Witts. Numerous times, Collingwood threatened to run away but never quite could - much to the credit of the young St Kilda team. Sam Gilbert was on crutches after the game and Kosi looks set to be rubbed out for his elbow on Jamie Elliott, meaning the Saints will be even more inexperienced when they face Carlton on Monday week. Stats to be posted shortly. Collingwood 15.13.103 St Kilda 11.11.77
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q4 – 30 minute mark ...and another young promising young player, Paul Seedsman, responds in a similar manner to restore that 26 point lead. Collingwood 15.13.103 St Kilda 11.11.77
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q4 – 28 minute mark Siposs marks outside 50m and, again proving himself to be an excellent kick, has no hesitation in going back and converting. Despite the imminent defeat, St Kilda fans should have a lot to be happy about tonight. Collingwood 14.13.97 St Kilda 11.11.77
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q4 – 25 minute mark Collingwood are happy to soak up time in the final stages here. Collingwood 14.13.97 St Kilda 10.11.71
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q4 – 23 minute mark Stanley, playing the man and not the ball this time, concedes a free kick and Cloke converts from right in front. Now its just a matter of improving percentage... Collingwood 14.12.96 St Kilda 10.11.71
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q4 – 22 minute mark Rhys Stanley, who has tried valiantly but appears to be the defensive novice he is, looks tired. Cloke loses him again but this time misses the kick. He has 3.5. With just five minutes left, its now or never for St Kilda... Collingwood 13.12.90 St Kilda 10.11.71
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q4 – 18 minute mark Cloke wins a free kick, goes back, and puts through a clutch goal to give his team breathing space. His celebration is pure raw passion! Collingwood 13.11.89 St Kilda 10.11.71
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q4 – 16 minute mark The attack on the footy is ferocious out there. Riewoldt, who is giving his various opponents the run around, takes yet another mark but this time misses. Next goal is vital... Collingwood 12.11.83 St Kilda 10.10.70
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q4 – 14 minute mark The Saints are doing all of the attacking right now and MUST keep converting... Collingwood 12.11.83 St Kilda 10.9.69
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q4 – 11 minute mark Riewoldt impressively marks on the lead, goes back, and boots his fourth. His accuracy has been in contrast to Cloke at the other end. St Kilda WILL NOT go away. Collingwood 12.11.83 St Kilda 10.9.69
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q4 – 8 minute mark Nick Riewoldt - who, needless to say, has busted a gut tonight - earns a free kick and kicks his third. Collingwood 12.11.83 St Kilda 9.9.63
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q4 – 5 minute mark ...and Travis Cloke shakes off Rhys Stanley, wheels around and snaps another moments later. The dam wall has burst... Collingwood 12.10.82 St Kilda 8.9.57
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q4 – 3 minute mark Sam Dwyer sidesteps his opponent and nails the all important opening goal of the final term. Collingwood 11.10.76 St Kilda 8.9.57
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Three Quarter Time This has been a genuinely well fought battle. Every time the Pies have looked to kick away, St Kilda have hung in there resolutely. Swan and Pendlebury had a lot of the ball that quarter, whilst Dale Thomas (mainly playing at half back) leads the possession count with 27. KEY STATS... Disposals - Magpies 277 Saints 221 Marks - Magpies 104 Saints 67 Tackles - Magpies 43 Saints 38 Inside 50s - Magpies 36 Saints 32 Collingwood 10.10.70 St Kilda 8.9.57
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q3 – 29 minute mark David Armitage goes back and kicks a much needed steadier for St Kilda. We're moments out from 3 quarter time. Collingwood 10.10.70 St Kilda 8.9.57
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q3 – 28 minute mark Kudos to Richo of Channel 7 (and his statistician) for the following stat: Nick Dal Santo has only nine disposals tonight... at 17% efficiency. McCaffer has well and truly won that duel. Collingwood 10.10.70 St Kilda 7.9.51
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q3 – 23 minute mark The Saints' stubborn resistance is starting to fray. Collingwood, now finding more space and run, go end-to-end and Marty Clarke finishes the move smartly. Collingwood 10.10.70 St Kilda 7.8.50
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q3 – 20 minute mark Sam Gilbert has now been red-vested for St Kilda - Brodie Murdoch is his replacement. A period of sustained Collingwood pressure ends in a Paul Seedsman goal. Collingwood 9.9.63 St Kilda 7.8.50
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q3 – 18 minute mark Collingwood have activated (If you have a suggested alternative to that word, write it here. PLEASE!!) their sub. Off goes Jarrod Witts for another first gamer, Ben Kennedy. Collingwood 8.9.57 St Kilda 7.8.50