The Collingwood Magpies have defeated the Geelong Cats by 10 points at the MCG on Friday night, booking themselves a preliminary final spot in the process.
For Geelong, it’s back to the drawing board with plenty to improve when they take on the Eagles in a likely Friday night blockbuster.
Other than the last five minutes, the match was not really all that exciting.
It was a low-scoring affair, as expected, but lost its zing early with Collingwood dominating the contest.
There were patches where Geelong worked themselves into it, but they were short-lived and made no real impression where it matters: on the scoreboard.
In the first half Jeremy Howe was intercepting everything in defence, while in the second half it was Darcy Moore, backing himself to take the mark and take the game on.
Patrick Dangerfield battled all night with 32 disposals, a goal and seven clearances. Tim Kelly also picked up 28 disposals and a goal, while Brandon Parfitt had 22 disposals, kicked a goal and laid nine tackles.
Gary Ablett and Tom Hawkins failed to put majors on the board; All Australian Tom Stewart was strong in his intercepting across the backline.
The Magpies had many contributors tonight; early Jamie Elliott and Jaidyn Stephenson were firing, while the experienced players stood up in the slower patches to turn the game back on their terms.
Steele Sidebottom returned with impressive numbers, 33 disposals, a goal and five tackles.
John Noble and Rupert Wills held their positions at selection and did not look out of place at all in the step up to finals intensity.
Scott Pendlebury finished with 24 disposals, a goal, nine tackles and three clearances in his 300th AFL game.
Again, Geelong made a late change. This time it was Rhys Stanley omitted for Sam Menegola, meaning Mark Blicavs and Esava Ratugolea were left to manage the ruck contest.
“We mucked up the weather forecast”, said Chris Scott, but the rain didn’t come.
The lack of confidence in Rhys Stanley was a poor decision in the end, Brodie Grundy dominated the ruck with 47 hit-outs.
Plenty of injury concerns out of the match, Mitch Duncan’s match was done at half-time with a left knee injury and Gary Rohan was on and off with leg complaints throughout the night.
There was confusion at the start of the game with Jed Bews pulling up sore from the final warm up, but he got on the field for the first bounce. Luke Dahlhaus also got a corky early, but played out the game.
For the Pies, Jordan De Goey came off in the second term with hamstring tightness and didn’t play any further part in the game.
Levi Greenwood’s day was also done in the first half, his knee the concern.
Next up the Geelong Cats face the West Coast Eagles in the second week of finals. The reigning premiers were destructive in Perth on Thursday night and will pose a huge challenge for the up-and-down Cats.
Collingwood will have the week off, while their preliminary final opponent is decided.
Final Score
Geelong 7.9.51
Collingwood 9.7.61
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the nod RT. Footy can be an emotional game. Couldn’t disagree with your assessment. Umpiring really impacted the game. Some of it just bizarre. I hope we don’t even notice the umpires next week. Looking forward to the game. Should be good one.
RT
Roar Rookie
I knew I'd be hearing from you today Yattuzzi. Sorry didn't mean to go in studs up as you said. Interesting match last night. I thought Geelong were gone at three quarter time but West Coast looked spent in the last. If Tigers lose next week I probably will slink away. There are better things to do than wallow around here when your season is done.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
I am glad you called that one right. Bring on the Tigers, home ground, no excuses. Put up or slink away.
Ballyred
Guest
MELFL ? melbourne football league? instead of AFL?
Goalsonly
Roar Rookie
There once was a team called the cats. Topped ladders and lead in the stats. They fluffed the big stage Like a team half their age Then curled up asleep on their mats.
Tezza knows
Roar Rookie
I give more credit to the players in being able to dismiss the home ground advantage stuff. It’s more difficult for the players to have confidence in virtually all of its ageing players who are shot.. that’s the problem.. and if Danger had mire help, they would be better. They need Gazza at the centre bounces all the time, and as much as possible.. if youve played a lot of footy, and you are a forward mainly, going back in defence to create, is just beyond Gazza now, but because he is such a champion, he needs to be on the ball with Paddy to get more drive. In other words, jus like the card game of 500, you play your trumps up front. Geelong must do that...And get sophisticated, practise and repeat centre bounce tap out drills.. a lot
Tezza knows
Roar Rookie
Mark Neeld never had the temperament, nor a suite of tools in the tool box, and any display of strength of character was rabid and erratic.
Tezza knows
Roar Rookie
You said ‘could’ win. Yes they could, but they won’t. They can’t run.. over there you just have to or somehow gladatorially tackle them to death. The first thing to do is mass tackle them at centre bounces sacrificing your own game. The Eagles hate being crowded, that will sap the Cats but may also stop the Eagles, but it’s an enormous ask. It’s their only hope. To be honest, when you play the Eagles now, to me, it feels like you are playing all of WA!!!!!!!! Thank God we ( the Pies) won’t play them till the GF.. if we get there.
Tezza knows
Roar Rookie
You’ve nailed it.. almost.. it’s not Scott.. it’s the ageing players not able to get up any longer. None of them have pace.either.... add Harry Taylor ... he’s got no hope facing another hard pre season. With hindsight Scott is the most suitable person to coach the Kangas . Now wait ... I mean CHRIS SCOTT.. the Kangas went too early in appointing Ryce Shaw.. I have great regard for Chris Scott, but things might have gone stale at Catland. Mind Ou the Kangas ain’t gunna rise quickly even if I was the coach :happy: :laughing:
Tezza knows
Roar Rookie
Could it be that the less heralded Pies mid fielder, Taylor Adams, be the player of the final series, the Norm Smith medallist and the hero in handing the premiership to the Pies? He was acknowledged as the Pies best in the grand final last year. Let’s analyse this a little more. He missed about 4 games recently due to injury but looked refreshed and full of energy against the Cats. If you look closely at the videos on him against the Cats, aside from goal kicking, he tacked a lot and vigorously, he moved sideways very well, but even more significantly, by doing the hard inside work, he has freed up the elite players, and in doing so has given more energy to these elite Pies midfielders ( they’re doing less bullocking work) ... Pendles, Treloar and Sidebottom who will ravage oppositions, kick more goals, destroying them. The de Goey loss will be tough, but the other wild card is Rupert Wills who has been given the high honour to shark Grundy’s tap out, doing the inside work too, and delivering the ball to the elite Pies midfielders... SHUT THE GATE....... wheeeeeeeeeeeee
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Scoreboard flattered Geelong. They were never in the hunt.
Goalsonly
Roar Rookie
the plan was effective proven by close result even when poorly executed.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Yeah. Though in this case it was neither pretty nor effective.
Goalsonly
Roar Rookie
Flak is the price of a public profile. Cats were thereabouts a the finish and the look on Bucklys face said it all. This was hair off being an impossible theft. Overreacting would be the real mistake.
Goalsonly
Roar Rookie
Pies were okay but Cats were poor to terrible and never looked better than average but were still in it at the death.
Goalsonly
Roar Rookie
In the era of win/loss low and slow is just as effective as any plan. It ain't pretty but the beauty of the game is not an important thing right now.
Goalsonly
Roar Rookie
Lots of teams play more games at one ground than cats. Some get to play heaps of games at the Mel.FL Castle Ground.
Goalsonly
Roar Rookie
You know reality is the sum total of ALL differing realities don't you realist. Home final is a thing for sure and will continue to be. Cats did look scared going in though. They need to lighten up with a joke or two. The Pies and the Tigers look to be enjoying the process and that's hard to beat. Tightening up just sends cats into a mild panic and they freeze or fumble. So to be in it at the death is a credit to unity and planning. If you don't make fun of life life will make fun of you.
Goalsonly
Roar Rookie
So those Geelong champion veterans are all crap but they could win next week against reigning champs.
Goalsonly
Roar Rookie
You can say the MELFL Darlings did get a slight leg up with their adoring hoards. Going for Scotts jugular is a cheap shot. Sure low and slow is his method but it's not a bad plan when wins are the only thing that matter.