St Kilda have got their second win on the trot after beating Collingwood in an end-to-end, low-scoring encounter under the roof of Etihad Stadium.
The Saints were simply too strong for the Pies who never looked at their best throughout the game.
Collingwood started off the game strong having the first four scoring plays, but they only had a return of one goal and three behinds. If Collingwood started off accurately it could have been a different story.
The Pies still took a nine-point lead into the first break.
St Kilda caught up to Collingwood but they were also inaccurate, although managing to take in a one-goal lead heading into the main break with both sides not able to capitalise on the scoreboard. The Saints were up 4.7.31 to the Pies 3.7.25.
The third quarter was the first time this season the Saints had come out strong after the main break but couldn’t get out to a big enough lead to make the Saints feel comfortable. They were still looking confident, having a 22-point lead over the Pies heading into the final quarter.
The Saints took their time in last quarter chipping the ball around their backline until an opportunity up the ground presented itself. The Pies were able to get a couple of goals back but it was all too much for Collingwood, going down to the Saints by 14 points.
The Saints had ten players with 20 or more disposals. Their best players for the game were Dylan Roberton (32 disposals and 12 marks), Nick Riewoldt (22 touches and 12 marks) and Jack Newnes (32 disposals and eight marks).
The Saints will be happy with the even spread of contributions and that they managed to win a tight game.
The Pies forwards struggled to get the pill with four of their forwards getting less than ten disposals. This is a result of the Magpies having 16 less inside 50’s to the Saints.
Collingwood’s best players were Brodie Grundy (21 touches and 37 hit outs), Steele Sidebottom (31 disposals and seven marks) and Taylor Adams (39 touches and three tackles).
The Pies will look to bounce back in the annual Anzac Day clash against Essendon at the M.C.G. The Pies should go in as favourites for the clash and it should be a game that they will win, if not the pressure on Nathan Buckley will continue to increase.
The Saints will go in as underdogs against Geelong at Etihad Stadium. The Saints will consider themselves a real chance against the Cats who have been less than convincing so far.
Final score
St Kilda 9.15.69
Collingwood 7.13.55
Gecko
Guest
Trouble is that Eddie can't sack him without looking bad himself. Eddie backed Bucks to push Malthouse aside, backed Bucks when virtually the whole premiership team jumped ship,, and continued to back Bucks even as the recruitment of Wells and Dunn showed a clear disinterest in Collingwood's long term future. Our forward line coach needs to follow Bucks out the door but our back line coach seems to be doing okay with the limited experience down back this year.
Spud-053
Guest
Kane, I am glad I was not the only one to notice how Pendlebury is given free kicks other players from either side would have been penalized for, sadly this happens a lot in our great game certain players can not do any wrong no matter how blantly obvious it is to all that the free kick should have gone the other way. Gungadin is also right, it was a game for all types of different sized players ....trouble is unless you are 6 feet tall or better and can run close to even time for a hundred metres, it does not matter, if you can actually kick or handball the ball correctly or know how to take a contested mark or be able to actually read the play ahead of you .......the game today reminds me of my time umpiring under 10's and every kid was on the ball as they did not know any other way, but for them it was a fun game. Today we expect players or should I say expect players to play our great game the way it was meant to played, players playing at least, close to the actual positions that they are selected to play in, not as what was once called a ruck/rover all over the ground, where the play happens to be at that time. I used to watch as many games as it was possible to see on TV or when I lived in Melbourne attend as many games the Saints played in, now I only watch in full, games the Saints are televised on TV here in the outer limits of the city of Perth(300 Kilomtres away in Fact).... Yesterday, I actually thought I was watching an under 10's game what with the umpire requesting who was taking the ruck at any given time,( I know it was doing Brian Taylors head in, if we have to have this rule there is no need for nominating but if a third player does go up he then gets penalized so simple) this stupid third man up rule only came in because during the course of hundreds of games someone got a broken jaw, this has happened with all the recent rule changes diving for the ball is another someone got a broken leg....... I dont like seeing injuries of any kind, but when one runs out onto the ground one knows full well, you may get hurt, if we dont want anyone getting hurt maybe we should all just play netball, a game that is supposed to be non-contact but from the many games I have watch over the years maybe netball is a contact sport. To all those that loved our unique game hope it will get back close to what we all remember as a great contest between individuals in a team aspect.....GO SAINTS!
Kane
Guest
Pies only had 1 bloke who had a dip last night and that was Howe, Pendlebury was embarrassing as a captain even though the umpires give him an easy ride.
me too
Roar Rookie
Hard game to summarise, but I'll give it a go - the Saints weren't quite as awful as the margin suggests
gameofmarks
Roar Guru
I agree with Lingie. Pendelbury should not have been left on the bench for 14 mins in the 3rd quarter. Buckley needs to go, he is a dead man walking IMO.
peter wolf
Guest
Ryan you summed it up quite well useless is another word, we also looked quite uninterested, and to be honest a forward line that's non existent looks good on paper that's about it weak
Ryan
Guest
Gallant more like abhorrent magpies
Gungadin
Guest
Its a terrible fate that we have to see a team play in a way they played the year before, and the year before, and the year before. I dont care when people say its the modern game. Its a game of Aussie Rules. The Goal to Goal line is the most important line. It is not a team of mid fielders. Our game is great because every type of build of person can be effective. Footballers make a team, football ability should come first. Swannie looked anything but an athlete, but what a footballer. There are some wonderful athletes and footballers in the Collingwood team, but God knows what they are doing. Tommy Hafey would have done marvels with the talent in this team. The ascerbic Malthouse was trustworthy in his reign to get performance from a group of a variety of characters. Perhaps the line from Godfather 3 could be a clue, "true power cant be given, it must be taken." I have no doubt in Nathan Buckley's ability to get the ball, but I now doubt he has the ability to use it effectively.
rusty
Roar Rookie
Well that's three hours of my life I won't get back. What a horrible game.