It’s the last chance for the Collingwood Magpies as they take on the second placed Hawthorn Hawks on Friday night footy to kick off the final round of the 2014 home and away season. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:50pm (AEST).
The equation for the Magpies is simple – they have to win if they want to play finals.
Despite spotty form, queries over coach Nathan Buckley’s ability and a daunting injury list, they’re not entirely without hope.
If they manage to pull off a big upset win and hope that Richmond doesn’t do the same against Sydney tomorrow then they’ll be in September for the ninth year running.
Hawthorn lost to top four fancies Fremantle a fortnight ago, but bounced back last week with a barnstorming second half that left rivals Geelong in the dust after they’d controlled the game in the early going.
The win may prove a double edged sword, with the boost to confidence coming at the cost of Matt Suckling, Ben Stratton and captain Luke Hodge set to miss tonight’s game through injury.
Taylor Duryea, Angus Litherland and Ryan Schoenmakers will take their place in the line-up.
The Pies copped a few more injuries in their reasonably gallant 8-point win over the Giants last weekend. These add to the list that is cutting a swathe through their line-up currently – Brent Macaffer suffering an ACL injury being the most worrying.
Dane Swan and Clinton Young will also miss with hamstring issues.
Heritier Lumumba, Paul Seedsman return while Corey Gault will make his debut after three years on the Collingwood list. Gault is a 199cm key position prospect who was delisted and then rookie-listed at the end of last season and will no doubt be determined to have an impact. He will most likely start forward with the ability to be swung back if necessary.
The other big news to come out of the Collingwood camp this year was the announcement of the impending retirment of two-club champion Luke Ball.
Ball would have required surgery to play on in 2015 and opted to bow out at the end of this season instead, giving the ‘Pies extra impetus to grab a win and try to extend his career – even for one more match.
The Pies still have a fair bit of quality on the field, but will be worried but the ominous signs Hawthorn showed last week.
Youngster Will Langford was a blonde ball of pure energy last weekend and blew the game open with his attack at the contest and manic will.
The Hawk forwards ran rampant in Hawthorn’s comfortable win against the Magpies earlier in the season and quelling the impact of Roughead, Gunston, Bruest, Puopolo and Hale will be a huge ask.
Sadly for Collingwood fans, it’s extremely difficult to see them emerging victorious in this game.
Being belted by the likes of Brisbane in recent weeks is possibly the least ideal preparation for facing a team of the Hawks calibre with so much on the line.
Intense tackling pressure is the way to go if they are to hold the Hawks back – the Pies are second in the competition in tackles and the handball happy Hawks could possibly be exposed if the Pies attack with the right mindset.
But Hawthorn have won the last six matches against the Magpies and will no doubt march on to their seventh when the siren goes tonight.
Even if the Pies can restrict them, the ability of the Hawks to rapidly put damage on the scoreboard will be too much for the Pies to handle.
Hawthorn by 32.
Dylan Toune
Roar Guru
And to finish, Brian Lake should be fine - just a corked hip, nothing serious. Dwyer has an ankle complaint but unsure of the seriousness of it.
Dylan Toune
Roar Guru
Cheers mate! Appreciate the kind words. I think Collingwood just came out harder than the Hawks expected early on, but they quickly steadied and they cruised from then on. As soon as they realised kicking it deep was the way to go it was game over for the Pies. I thought everyone chipped in for the Hawks really, the only slight disappointment for mine was Bruest but he was hardly terrible.
Dylan Toune
Roar Guru
That's FULL TIME at the MCG They're a happy team at Hawthorn tonight! Hardly one to race out and watch the replay of, but the Hawks were classy and clinical when they needed to be. Collingwood burst out the gates with a strong first quarter but didn't take enough of their chances and were always on the backfoot after a 7 goal to 2 second term by the Hawks. Their pressure slowly dropped off and it was a bit of a stroll for the Hawks near the end really. There were moments of brilliance from the Hawks - their four goal burst early in the fourth was fantastic and they had contributors all over the park. A bit bittersweet for Luke Ball - "When you play a side like the Hawks you realise it might be your time...I've been really fortunate, some people barely play 1 game and I've played 200" Guard of honour for Ball and handshakes for Lewis and Hodge. The crowd cheers as he enters the race and gives Eddie a hug, high-fiving fans as he takes the final walk into the rooms as cameras flash behind him. One final look up and a wave to the fans as Pendlebury walks up beside him. Well done on a great career Luke. Hawthorn seem happy but they'll know the real challenge is just about to begin. Their attacking prowess will worry most teams and they have an abundance of depth to choose from. Back-to-back is definitely not out of the question on current form, but we all know finals are a whole different ball game, even for quality sides. Jordan Lewis - "We probably overused the ball a little too much early, but once we got it deep our forwards were able to do the rest" A lot of thought to be done for the Pies, both for players and coaches. Their injury list is huge but its been a long time since they've had the last call bell rang at this stage of the year. It'll be an interesting off-season. Standouts for the Hawks are numerous. Lewis had 33 touches and 10 marks, Sam Mitchell 30 @ 93% efficiency with 10 clearances, Josh Gibson a rock in defence after a shaky start, racking up a whopping 36 touches and 11 marks down back. Jack Gunston had 23 touches, 9 marks and kicked 5.1 while Roughead was physically imposing all night and booted 4 of his own. Hale was important too, just reasonable in the ruck but fantastic setting up attacking plays all evening. For the Pies it's a bit thinner, but Sidebottom was one of the better players on the ground from both sides. Was in everything for them - 36 touches, 9 clearances, 7 inside 50s and a goal. Ball struggled a little in his final game with the ball in hand but there was no faulting his endeavour as he got 21 touches and 7 tackles. Pendlebury and Goldsack were dependable while Gault had an impressive debut, even if he faded in the second half. What do we think about the Pies and the Hawks? Has much changed? As far as I'm concerned this was pretty much a game played to the script. GOALS: Collingwood – Gault 2, White 2, Fasolo, Sidebottom, Blair, Broomhead Hawthorn – Gunston 5, Roughead 4, Puopolo 2, Hale 2, Ceglar, Bruest, Lewis, Hartung, Simpkin BEST: Collingwood - Sidebottom, Pendlebury, Goldsack, White Hawthorn - Gunston, Gibson, Roughead, Lewis, Mitchell, Hale, Simpkin Interesting chat from Channel 7 saying that Port Adelaide have tabled a 3 year offer to Tyson Goldsack. Thanks for tuning in everyone, appreciate all who read and comment. Enjoy your weekend! Crowd: 48,973
Aussie in London
Guest
Cheers Dylan, thanks for the commentary! Much appreciated. Was good to see the Hawks put on a good score, although wasn't impressed with 1Q. Simpkin had a great game, good to see these guys come through
Dylan Toune
Roar Guru
GOAL COLLINGWOOD 0:14 remaining Q4 Marley Williams nearly ran the whole length of the ground to start that whole passage. Ball got thrown in and the Pies kept it locked in there. Eventually an opportunity presented itself - Pendlebury had great vision and timing to get it to Blair who squeezes it through for a consolation prize near the end. Hawthorn 18.13.121 lead Collingwood 8.8.56
JR Salazar
Guest
Easy training match for the Hawks. When do they face a real team like Geelong again?
Dylan Toune
Roar Guru
GOAL HAWTHORN 1:35 remaining Q4 Lumumba takes off in the backline but doesn't have the awareness there, Puopolo chases him down and that's incorrect disposal. Puopolo puts it through for his second. Hawthorn 18.13.121 lead Collingwood 7.8.50
Dylan Toune
Roar Guru
BEHIND HAWTHORN 4:10 remaining Q4 Simpkin hooks a kick to a contest and it comes off hands. Roughead roves the contest and snaps but it goes right for a point. Votes won't be too easy tonight, a lot of winners for the Hawks. Hawthorn 17.13.115 lead Collingwood 7.8.50
Dylan Toune
Roar Guru
BEHIND HAWTHORN 5:15 remaining Q4 Ball is punched over the line as Gunston attempts to mark in the square. Hawthorn 17.12.114 lead Collingwood 7.8.50
Dylan Toune
Roar Guru
BEHIND HAWTHORN 6:10 remaining Q4 Ball touched before it went over the line, good effort from Seedsman. The kick out not so good though!
Dylan Toune
Roar Guru
We have a score review for a Lewis kick - looks touched
Dylan Toune
Roar Guru
GOAL COLLINGWOOD 8:31 remaining Q4 Ball goes over the back and Broomhead uses his pace to get past two Hawks and spear through a goal on the run in close, good effort. Hawthorn 17.10.112 lead Collingwood 7.8.50
Dylan Toune
Roar Guru
GOAL HAWTHORN 10:05 remaining Q4 Hale's hit lace out on the lead and kicks from about 45 - that's a beauty. Hale has been very good tonight and that's his second goal. They need to bottle this quality of kicking from him for the finals! Hawthorn 17.10.112 lead Collingwood 6.8.44
Dylan Toune
Roar Guru
Great scenes from the Collingwood faithful as Ball marks inside 50 and is given a big roar, sadly he can't oblige the fans and doesn't make the distance.
Dylan Toune
Roar Guru
GOAL COLLINGWOOD 13:17 remaining Q4 Fasolo goes to Blair who dishes it off to Sidebottom and he makes no mistake there. Has been good tonight Sidebottom, reward for effort. Hawthorn 16.10.106 lead Collingwood 6.8.44
Dylan Toune
Roar Guru
GOAL HAWTHORN 16:10 remaining Q4 Shiels goes to Hale who has been using it beautifully all night and that's no different. Gunston marks on the lead, turns around and puts it through - that's his fifth! Pies perhaps a little unlucky up the other end with what looked like a Fasolo mark not being paid, but the slingshot was in full effect as the Hawks bounded up the ground to get that one. Looks like Ball's last hurrah for sure - lets hope they keep it reined in somewhat. Hawthorn 16.10.106 lead Collingwood 5.8.38
Dylan Toune
Roar Guru
GOAL HAWTHORN 17:58 remaining Q4 Simpkin gives a bit of a hail mary snap but it's good! Well done. And here we go again, this is uptempo footy now! GOAL HAWTHORN 17:42 remaining Hartung the sub streams forward and takes the shot on the run, it's just past the fingertips of the defender and it's a goal! That's 4 goals with their past 11 kicks! Amazing from the Hawks and worrying for the Pies. Hawthorn 15.10.100 lead Collingwood 5.8.38
Dylan Toune
Roar Guru
GOAL HAWTHORN 18:20 remaining Q4 Hale goes inside 50 and Gunston gets the loose ball and pops it through, easy as you like Hawthorn 13.10.88 lead Collingwood 5.8.38
Dylan Toune
Roar Guru
We're underway and Lake is subbed off for Hartung BEHIND HAWTHORN 19:00 remaining Q4 Hawks are off right away hitting Roughy on the lead, but he misses.
Dylan Toune
Roar Guru
That's 3 quarter time and it was more of the same from the Hawks. 4 goals to 1, so the Pies did manage to hold them back a little more than in the second, but the gulf of class has plainly been evident since quarter-time. Collingwood are leading the clearances, breaking even with the tackles and have gotten the better of the free kick count but the sheer weight of disposals in the Hawks favour (332-217) combined with their marking forwards have just killed the Pies. It's worth Collingwood continuing the fight here as they can keep it relatively respectable. If not they'd want to hope that the Hawks take the foot off the gas. Sidebottom has 27 touches and 8 clearances but has butchered the ball a bit. Pendles has been good as always while White has presented up forward. Sinclair hasn't done a bad job on Bruest and ran through the midfield well that term. Gibson, Lewis, Mitchell and Smith all lead the touches for the Hawks, while Roughy and Gunston have been powerful up forward. GOALS: Collingwood – Gault 2, White 2, Fasolo Hawthorn – Roughead 4, Gunston 3, Puopolo, Ceglar, Bruest, Lewis