Collingwood president Eddie McGuire admits it will take time for the club to recover from the disappointment of losing the AFL preliminary final to GWS.
Eddie McGuire expects Collingwood will need a little time to recover after their AFL preliminary final heartbreak.
While the Magpies president will start thinking about next season as early as Sunday morning, he said grand final week will be hard.
Coach Nathan Buckley called it a wasted season and captain Scott Pendlebury said it felt even worse than last year’s grand final loss when GWS beat them by four points on Saturday in a riveting preliminary final.
“We’re in good shape to go forward, but we won’t be thinking about it for a little while,” McGuire told AAP.
“It’s hard. It’s really hard. But we’ll bounce up tomorrow.
“When the shower hits the back of my head, I will be thinking again of what we can do.
“I’m terribly disappointed and humbly proud of them.”
With mental health an extremely important issue in the game, McGuire said it is critical for Collingwood not to lose perspective.
“If we’re not feeling down now, we’re in the wrong game,” he said.
“We have to dust ourselves off and it will be a very hard week next week.
“There’s been a lot about mental health … the sun does come up tomorrow and hope springs eternal.”
Collingwood came from 33 points down early in the last quarter to nearly snatch an unlikely win.
“I was really proud of the way the boys didn’t turn it up,” McGuire said.
“They literally took us to the last second with a chance to get in there.
“So full marks to the boys for having a crack.”
McGuire said it had been a successful year for the Magpies, with the club cutting their pokie ties.
He also remains hopeful that star ruckman Brodie Grundy will sign a long-term deal and not be distracted by the interest from SA.
“You saw the way he played for the jumper today. Brodie’s a good fella,” McGuire said.
“We have to work it through, but that’s professional football.
“He has to do what’s right for him and his family and hopefully that will be staying here, but there’s plenty of time.”
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
C'mon Pete we can't all pull out when our team gets rolled. can we ? You have all the trade talk coming up so think about it. If not all the best to you. Cheers. JB
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Pete, it's sad to hear you're signing off for the year, but next week's granny is going to be a cracker. I know you're disappointed about yesterday - don't blame you one bit, really - but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the grand final, surely.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Neil, jumping in here to note that this tone of conversation is my favourite part of this site. Good on you two.
Neil from Warrandyte
Roar Rookie
Thanks Pete, always good to engage with the thoughtful conversations you have provided all year. Sorry that the pies couldn’t get to the big dance with the tigers. Would have been a sensational atmosphere. Lots of conspiracy theorists on this site of late which tends to bring down the discussion standards. Have a great ‘off season’ and don’t let yesterday’s disappointment get you down too much.
Onside
Guest
Though a casual fan, (love the finals) I seem to recall Collingwood managed to recruit some very good people from GWS in the last two seasons,players who could have played for any other team in the AFL.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
We need a key forward Neil. Cameron would be nice! We didn’t handle the wet at all. The wet allowed them to stifle our run and quick handball game and nullify Treloar, Sidebottom, Phillips and co. Next year seems a long way away and there will be new challengers rising up no doubt. Tigers have them covered in the dry and you had about 4 rainy games in a row late season so just cannot see it even being close. Enjoy the week and your second cup in three years. I’m signing off for 2019 as won’t be watching next week. Good luck to you. They are a classy side the Tigers on and off the field.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
Never mind, Ed - Pies are 2019 VFLW champs so that's one reason to be cheerful.
Kane
Roar Rookie
They can't afford it, all their money is in the midfield that has been smashed most of the year.
Pieman
Guest
Resign Mr Ed and sack Buckley. Simple solution.
Nick
Roar Guru
The tigers make a big recruitment call with Lynch. Collingwood will need to do the same and have a good tall up front.
Seymorebutts
Guest
Thats the problem with prelim finals.... they dont go to script..your opponents will be one of the best sides in the comp, choka block full of talent and they want it just as badly as you do. GWS have lost a couple so the Karma Gods decided it was their turn. I think next week is a lottery as well... GWS have some gun players to come back in, they wont be a pushover.
Neil from Warrandyte
Roar Rookie
Collingwood in exactly the same position as the tigers were last year. The Pies have been copying their blueprint for the last 2 years and it’s almost worked for them so far, except for the last few minutes of last year’s grand final. Can they bounce back to be back in the mix next year? It wouldn’t surprise me.