Collingwood did the job against North Melbourne in Brisbane, but before that second half, they looked like a middle-of-a-run team.
This leaves me wondering: are they the real deal or are these cold Pies?
Ever since last’s year preliminary final, the Magpies have not proven if they are contenders or just making up the numbers.
They are going to miss their best midfielder, Steele Sidebottom, who was influential in the win over North with 23 touches, four clearances and a goal.
Collingwood are also heavily reliant on Scott Pendlebury and Taylor Adams, has gone under the radar in the All Australian conversation again, but after these three, who are the midfield options?
Brayden Maynard had 26 touches on Monday night, while Chris Mayne had 22, so the next midfield options are worrying.
The Pies looked unconvincing in ball movement, especially in the second quarter when there was turnover after turnover and they couldn’t capitalise on the Roos’ mistakes. If these same problems happen against a top-four side, they will be found out.
Their disposal efficiency for the season is 71.6 per cent, which is good, but they have not shown their elite ball-movement in most matches. Moreover, Mason Cox is crucial to their forward line, which is strange due to the fact he was in poor form before their last match.
Mason Cox (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)
Collingwood don’t seem to know who their number one forward is. With Cox playing his best in the last quarter against North, it was up to young Josh Daicos and the midfield to kick the goals earlier and finest forward on the night was young Trey Ruscoe with two goals.
Furthermore, with one goal from 11 inside 50s in the first quarter, how will Nathan Buckley’s men go in a final where sides like Brisbane and Saints will convert their inside 50s (even though Lions are inaccurate in front of goal)?
I can’t wait to see how Cox will go against Jacob Weitering, who has been in All Australian form with 1.4 intercept marks a game, this Sunday against the Blues.
The Pies relying on Pendlebury and Taylor Adams to win the midfield battle is like relying on gold in the Great Depression – it will eventually crash. So how will they fare against Patrick Cripps and Ed Curnow, who made Gold Coast’s midfield look like cones on Friday night?
Finally, all four teams the Pies have lost to, excluding the draw and loss to West Coast, are not top-eight sides.
To say they are a premiership contender is odd.
Jimmy
Guest
It’s a bizarre article isn’t it. Who said pies were contenders? They’d be 6th or 7th favs to me And I’ve said it before, The Roar doesn’t always use editors. Need to clean up that prose dude
Jimmy
Guest
You might be right Neil but I don’t see any of Richmond Geelong brissy or Port missing top 4 Eagles look like rank outsiders for top 4 to me
Flagpies
Roar Rookie
How is this even a question? Cold is somewhat of an understatement, frozen solid would be more apt.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
And yet we were dominating first quarters at the start. Weren’t Carlton starting badly early season? We need it back to that.
peter chrisp
Guest
Hard to say if we lose to the Blues & there is every chance & to me it will be interesting to see if we can get a good start. Over the past 4 weeks we are struggling to kick a goal in he 1st quarter & that's a pretty poor effort. Will it happen again? If we do lose that's it for the finals? If we do get in are we just making up the numbers?
peter chrisp
Guest
We play The Blues i think on Sunday being a Pies fan it's not to difficult to select Carlton. Our performances especially the 1st quarter have been nothing short of woeful. I think the last 4 games or so we have struggled to even kick a goal. Very poor.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Neil, I'm just thinking they wont handle moving again...maybe not as bad as last time but they won't be as good as they are at home and the Cats nearly got them.
Neil from Warrandyte
Roar Rookie
Pete, that’d be a dream come true seeing the pies knock off WC in an elimination final. Can’t see the Eagles missing out on top 4 though.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Many have Gyfox including me. I can't see us winning it but will take a final or two if we can scrape in...I'd say top 4 will be Richmond, Geelong, Port and Brisbane so a 5th v 8th possibility could be Eagles V Pies elimination. Will all the finals be in Qld though? I suspect so which would give us a good chance against the Eagles
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I hope you are right Realist. I felt we gained some semblance of method in the second half against an albeit injury ravaged Kangaroos side. I'm hoping it all clicks together. Once you get used to playing finals you don't want to be in the group sitting on the sides again. It's awful watching other clubs play finals. I'd take one even if we get belted in it, I'd still rather be there.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Well they're not going to play their hand too early Macca. Could be a hitch with the AFL approving the guard.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
The word is still there Jeff. It may not turn out but it's not dreamed up, it's a possibility.
Mark
Roar Rookie
The Pies should secure their spot in the 8 with a win over Carlton this week. If they manage to get something near their best Team on the Park come Finals time, which should go along way to restoring their confidence, then they're going to give a few Teams a fright. I definitely don't want my Tigers facing them in an Elimination Final!
Macca
Roar Rookie
De Goey is listed as 3-5 weeks on the official injury list
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Another article light on substance from you Patrick. Do you even watch footy?
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Think they were better on Monday. Ultimately they are still heavily impacted by injuries. Can't see them making an impact in Finals.
Jeff
Guest
Pete are you still dreaming on De Goey Coming in this week? There is more chance of kruezer playing ????
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
You didn’t mention Adam Treloar, De Goey and Brayden Sier who are mids out injured with De Goey forward as well. Greenwood made a great comeback and can rotate through there too as does Jamie Elliott. Rupert Wills is another in reserve. Treloar and Sier will be only available for finals and there are rumours De Goey might make an early return, even this week.
Gyfox
Roar Rookie
I have written Pies off for this year. Tipping Blues this weekend
Cracka
Roar Rookie
Well the Pies need to spice it up against the Blues or they may fine themselves out of the 8 come finals.