Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley concedes his side needs to show significant improvement if it is to advance past the first week of the AFL finals series.
A daunting elimination final looms for the Magpies against West Coast in Perth after they succumbed to minor premiers Port Adelaide on Monday night.
A win would have seen Collingwood avoid the flight west and instead take on St Kilda on neutral turf.
But Buckley was left lamenting execution errors, poor decision making and an inability to get on top at the contest after what could prove to be a costly 16-point defeat to the Power.
“They were very good inside, in particular at clearance and at centre bounce, which gave them a lot of territory,” he said.
“We weren’t good enough to be able to handle that for long enough.
“If that is the best team in the comp – and the ladder shows that they are – then we’re either not far away or a long way away.
“It’s quite marginal in the contest but we’ll get some learnings out of that.”
Collingwood and West Coast have a storied history of heart-stopping finals contests, including the Eagles’ gripping 2018 grand final triumph.
But their last meeting resulted in a massive 66-point blowout win to West Coast at Optus Stadium in Round 8.
“That was a significant loss and they’d be pretty confident coming up against us, I would’ve thought,” Buckley said.
Collingwood will reap some benefit from having spent time in Perth earlier this season at the same Joondalup resort where they will serve a seven-day quarantine period before their elimination final.
“It doesn’t hurt,” Buckley said.
“We’ll be familiar with the accommodation and we’ll be familiar with the ground that we trained at.”
Flagpies
Roar Rookie
Too late!
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Every side in the 8 has some wood over every other. Recent or historic Even the Saints and Bullies...
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Yep. I’m not saying we can’t win Harry but it’s highly unlikely
2dogs
Roar Rookie
The sooner the Pies start the sooner their fans won’t be bitter old men :thumbup:
Harry Selassie
Roar Rookie
No question injuries are always a concern but I think the Eagles are inside the Pies heads and have an advantage over them. With or without a complete team. The emphatic win over Collingwood was not that long ago.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Says 2 dogs the Blues fan entering the 6th year of the latest rebuild.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Shuey is a worry for the Eagles with these repeat soft tissue injuries. Reminds me of the end of Buckley as a player.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Cripps not so
Nico
Roar Rookie
Definitely no Yeo. We’ll have Shuey, Cripps, Redden, and “most likely” McGovern. (Gov the only question really) But our backline is actually overstocked, so we can cover for Gov, even though we’d obviously love to have him than not. Forward line and middle are the issue/weakness. Not at all confident for this one... Pies will be out for revenge, I expect a very tight game. Hope they don’t thrash us tbh. A 1 point win with no injuries will be an excellent result.
Eagles 18
Roar Rookie
As an Eagles supporter I am a bit worried we will be having about 6 players coming in from injuries. Match fitness is a worry. Getting injured again during the game is high possibility. I think this game will be close.
2dogs
Roar Rookie
Pies need a rebuild. Starting from the President and coach. How many years can you have belief in the dismal head honchos?
2dogs
Roar Rookie
Thanks Pete
Dave
Roar Rookie
Yep, Yeo won't play this year which ruins Eagles chances of going far. I think you'll easily account for the pies however.
Dave
Roar Rookie
Don’t think Brisbane will get a chance to kick straight, tigers back line looking very good and in form too with confidence :)
Dave
Roar Rookie
Total list clean out, probably look at trading Stephenson as well. Go in hard with an open cheque book come draft time, landing a key forward for the pies is an absolute must! Can’t see Pies winning either, out after week 1.
GGG
Roar Rookie
Good summary Pete :thumbup:
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
In front second quarter, I thought my tipping challenge was gone. In saying that there were periods in the game that where just kick to kick down the line .
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Pies are incredibly frustrating to watch Yattz. I wouldn't care if we were winning but now we are awful to watch AND losing. I think we are cooked this year.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Surely your not folding them. Injured over confidant Eagles. You’ve done it before. Anything can happen in the asterisk year. Brisbane may even kick straight and beat the Tigers.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
You got to know when to hold them, know when to fold them Yattz?