Collingwood has stunned the more fancied Melbourne outfit, defeating them by 42 points in a brilliant Queen’s Birthday performance at the ‘G.
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Final score
Melbourne Demons 14.7.91
Collingwood Magpies 20.13.133
A massive Queen’s Birthday clash between old foes Melbourne and Collingwood is the highlight on a Monday afternoon. Join The Roar for live commentary and scores from 3:20pm AEST.
Well, what a deliriously enticing clash we have upon us on a lazy Monday afternoon. Melbourne – a team so very good this year – are up against a resurgent Collingwood squad in what should be a great clash.
Melbourne’s season thus far has been excellent. Sitting in fourth headed into today’s match, they’ve won eight (including their past six) while their last outing, against the Bulldogs, was a fine 49 point win.
Before that? A season-defining stretch of 69, 109 and 91 point wins over the Gold Coast, Carlton and Adelaide. When they get going, they’re scary good.
Collingwood, for their part, are doing reasonably well – they’ve won their past three, including a big win over Fremantle last weekend.
They’re 7 and 4, but there’s still many questions surrounding Nathan Buckley’s side – including whether or not they can match it with the best of ‘em. Today’s outing will be the perfect chance to prove they can – win and they’re raise plenty of eyebrows.
Statistically, Melbourne are one of the very best in the competition. They’re far and away the highest scoring squad, while they’re also the top centre clearance team in the league.
Collingwood can score – we so that against Freo, albeit against a young defensive group – but they can’t match the Demons in the centre, although a midfield core of Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom and Adam Treloar can have their moments.
Arguably, the midfield is where this one will be played and won – something which should enthuse the Demons given just how powerful it’s core has been.
There’s been three changes between the two sides leading into today’s game – one for the Pies, two for the Dees.
Frustratingly for the ‘hosts’, Jake Lever is gone for the year with an ACL injury, while they’ve also omitted Timothy Smith. Cameron Pedersen and Joel Smith return to the side.
Collingwood’s inclusion is a little higher profile – Jeremy Howe returns to the side, while Flynn Appleby is omitted.
Prediction
Difficult one to pick, this match. Most of the money seems to be flowing the way of Melbourne, but they’re definitely no certainties.
They’re an authentically better side than their opposition, and should win, but I don’t see this one going to script.
I’m going to go against the grain a little and tip the Magpies.
I feel like Buckley’s men have been eagerly awaiting a genuine scalp, and I see them narrowly emerging victorious in front of a massive crowd.
Collingwood by 5 points
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 3:20pm AEST.
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
Sorry to take so long to get back to you. You do remember of course that they played in two consecutive Grand Finals on the basis of a backline that conceded the lowest average scores in finals of any finalists. Is that what you mean by average? But a narrow view is what I've come to expect from you, such as suggesting that Collingwood has an epic midfield worthy of comparison to the Eagles of 05/06. Perhaps you should go away and do some proper research into the terms epic,average and if you want to appear amateur continue in the same vein
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
They had the 3rd and 4th best defences of the teams in the eight respectively for those years. As I said, they had an average defence with a wonderful midfield. Now go away.
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
You said 'their midfield reminds me of the 2005/2006 WCE outfit". No big picture there. In fact a very narrow view I also take exception to your characterisation of the 2005/6 Eagles backline as average. David Wirrpanda,Adam Hunter,Drew Banfield,Chad Fletcher,Darren Glass and Kasey Green would pants any forward line today,(maybe not Green) It's probable that they were before your formative years and so you might not know how good they were. A competitive Collingwood is good for Victorian AFL football followers.That's the big picture
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
It’s not about comparing individual players. That’s what rank amateurs do. Think bigger. West Coast had epic midfield class and depth with average bookends. Collingwood are the same. Bucks was always going to develope an extraordinary midfield - he was one of the best ever. The rest is playing out exactly how I described it in Jan/Feb, along with last year when most wanted his head.
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
Judd,Cousins,Kerr,Embley,Stenglein and Braun? Who reminds you of who? And you weren't the only one to give Collingwood a top eight place. Or who foresaw Essendon's slide
User
Roar Rookie
Can't wait for when wce face collingwood at the MCG
anon
Roar Pro
Here come the Dees!
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining me. Power Rankings will be up tomorrow as per normal, but I'll see you next weekend for some more blogging.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Thanks! 'twas a good game to blog.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Collingwood has stunned the more fancied Melbourne outfit, defeating them by 42 points in a brilliant Queen’s Birthday performance at the ‘G. The first quarter was a frenetic term. Whilst both teams started strongly, it was the Pies that managed to storm ahead to a early lead off the back of some ferocious play and consistent forward forays. Mason Cox slammed home the first goal, but Melbourne hit back immediately with a easy goal of their own. From there, it was all Collingwood - slamming home an additional four goals for the quarter, compared to one more for the Dees. The pressure was off the charts from both sides, though - a thoroughly enjoyable match to watch early. Leading by 23 at the first break, Collingwood were looking sharp albeit a little inaccurate. The second quarter was a closer one - at times. Melbourne rallied, booting a couple of early goals to momentarily worry the Pies, but were unable to close the gap. Collingwood’s accuracy deteriorated a little, yet they still managed to kick four as opposed to a better lot of five majors for the Dees. The margin was 19 points at the half, yet the game was arguably still up for grabs. The third term? More of the same. Collingwood controlling most of the ground, but a contentious umpiring decision about halfway through the term seemed to switch the momentum into Melbourne’s favour - if only momentarily. During that spell, the Demons slammed home two majors, but the Pies, as they had the whole day, had the answers: four straight goals to finish off the term. The final quarter? Melbourne adding three late goals, Collingwood thinking about percentage and slamming on five more. It’s difficult to choose who the Pies’ best was. American import Mason Cox played arguably his best game in career, booting 5.1 and clunking marks like it was nobody’s business. Young Stephenson was also great, if a little shaky at times, in a four-goal performance - matching Will Hoskin Elliott, who counted his great streak of scoring a goal every game this year. In a powerful midfield, the likes of Sidebottom (32 touches), Treloar (32) and de Goey (30 touches, 13 contested processions) were on fire. Really, though, all of Nathan Buckley’s troops were playing well in a consummate team performance. Melbourne, despite their loss, were served well by the midfield trio of Lewis, Oliver and Jones, whilst Tom McDonald sent through six goals - the biggest haul of his career. Youngster Charlie Spargo was also lively at times. Both these sides have the bye next weekend. Melbourne: 14.7 (91) Collingwood: 20.13 (133)
Birdman
Roar Rookie
thanks for your fine work again AD.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Believe it. Their midfield is epic. Reminds me of the 2005/2006 WCE outfit.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
And there's full time! A big, big win for the Pies: 42 point is the final margin. I'll have a match report up as fast as I can type it. Melbourne: 14.7 (91) Collingwood: 20.13 (133)
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Rick, they had Bucks obituary written after round two after also predicting Bucks wouldn't be renewed last year. I told them, they didn't listen.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
haha - yeah I gotta admit, I didn't see the Pies resurgence - still hard to believe it's real but it obviously is
Birdman
Roar Rookie
a bit of Column A and a bit from Column B
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Potentially more people underrating the Pies, than over-rating the Demons. Or probably both.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Pies defying the trend to play scrum clogging footy with 20 plus goals against a really good side. We somehow found pace over summer and multiple avenues to goal.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
GOAL MELBOURNE Oliver with a fine long range shot, and he's got his first! Melbourne: 14.7 (91) Collingwood: 20.13 (133)
Birdman
Roar Rookie
Melbourne MUST land Gaff as a FA - their outside run is lousy