Collingwood
65
Match Complete
Geelong Cats
72
| Fourth Quarter | ||||
| 28:25 |  | P. Dangerfield | ||
| 22:23 |  | T. Hawkins | ||
| 20:35 | | B. Parfitt | ||
| C. L. Brown | | 19:22 | ||
| D. Beams | | 14:44 | ||
| 7:48 | | C. Constable | ||
| B. Grundy | | 6:11 | ||
| 1:13 | | L. Dahlhaus | ||
| 7.10 (52) | Third Quarter [+] | 7.10 (52) | ||
| 29:37 | | P. Dangerfield | ||
| 26:51 | | P. Dangerfield | ||
| J. D. Goey | | 24:54 | ||
| 23:21 | | Rushed | ||
| 22:41 | | T. Hawkins | ||
| 21:07 | | J. Selwood | ||
| J. D. Goey | | 19:10 | ||
| A. Treloar | | 17:34 | ||
| 15:34 | | L. Dahlhaus | ||
| 14:32 | | M. Duncan | ||
| 12:53 | | G. Ablett | ||
| 7:36 | | J. Selwood | ||
| Rushed | | 4:29 | ||
| 1:18 | | T. Hawkins | ||
| 4.9 (33) | Second Quarter [+] | 3.4 (22) | ||
| J. Elliott | | 29:55 | ||
| B. Grundy | | 28:06 | ||
| S. Pendlebury | | 22:52 | ||
| M. Cox | | 20:19 | ||
| J. Stephenson | | 18:24 | ||
| 9:57 | | T. Hawkins | ||
| 5:37 | | Rushed | ||
| 2:20 | | Rushed | ||
| 3.5 (23) | First Quarter [+] | 2.2 (14) | ||
| J. D. Goey | | 30:49 | ||
| Rushed | | 29:22 | ||
| J. Elliott | | 24:57 | ||
| M. Cox | | 23:34 | ||
| 21:48 | | G. Ablett | ||
| J. D. Goey | | 12:29 | ||
| 10:40 | | G. Ablett | ||
| 8:21 | | S. Menegola | ||
| J. Elliott | | 6:59 | ||
| T. Phillips | | 5:28 | ||
| Rushed | | 3:24 | ||
| 1:29 | | M. Duncan | ||
Friday night footy debuts in 2019 colours, as the Collingwood Magpies host Geelong Cats at the MCG. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:50pm (AEDT).
Collingwood’s 2018 was, well, decent – to put it mildly. Defying expectations left, right and centre, the club surged through the season proper, stumbled for a moment early in the finals before steadying to comprehensively defeating premiership favourites Richmond and leap with a splash into a grand final.
That final achievement didn’t go exactly as planned, but no Pies fan would be too disgruntled with that year. That also means, though, that they’ve got a lot to back up this year and the black and white army know it.
Geelong’s 2018, in contrast, was more quiet, qualifying for finals as most expected but failing to progress past their first-up clash with Melbourne.
Not too bad a year, but could’ve been a lot better. Fortunately, Geelong’s been pretty consistent in the last decade or so, so the expectation is that they’ll make finals.
That’s only the expectation, though, and the jury is still out on the reality. Which makes tonight important.
A number of new faces are playing in today’s clash, with Collingwood debuting two (or one, depending on interpretation) and the Cats unveiling six new players.
Collingwood’s properly new Pie is Jordan Roughead, who joined from the Bulldogs in October, while Dayne Beams is also named for a return to the club.
Not new, but integral nevertheless, are Jamie Elliott (his first game since Round 23, 2017), Darcy Moore and Callum Brown.
Geelong’s sending out Luke Dahlhaus and Gary Rohan (former Dog and Swan, respectively), while debuting fresh faces Tom Atkins and Jordan Clark.
Two second-year players, Charlie Constable and Gryan Myers, join a Cats outfit for the first time.
Prediction
Hard one to pick, to be entirely honest. Geelong’s named a strong side with some talented inclusions, but for me Collingwood’s side – more or less the same, if not stronger – than their grand final outfit is too irresistible to ignore.
I’ll be backing the Pies, then, but fully believe the margin will be tight. I’ll back them by under just 20 points – three goals and some change.
Collingwood by 19 points.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
In both sides defence Mayne said after the game it was very slippery. Got to expect that with a large number of night games though.
Cat
Roar Guru
I wouldn't try to take too much from one round 1 game. Both teams looked very rusty and sloppy at times. I'm not going to say anything more than there was some interesting umpiring going on (both ways). I am surprised your Pies weren't able to get any centre dominance going. I thought Stanley held his own surprisingly well against Grundy/Cox.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
They said the same about Gibbs.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Thoughts on both sides?
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
It's only round one but Geelong look a reinvented side over Summer Cat. With the lack of experience in the side, 6 new faces, 4 debutants...to get a deserved win over a near full strength grand finalist is a testament to the recruiting and preparation. I had the Cats 6th in my preseason ladder but now think I've gone too low. As for the Pies, I'm seeing way too much " feel good" stuff from the marketing department, Bucks and the players are everywhere in the media, time to pull back the theatrical videos and get back to the footy doing the talking. We need more inside grunt. We desperately need Tay Adams and maybe Sier comes in for Brown. Ironically, we were beating the Cats when we were bad and are now losing then when we are meant to be good.
Cat
Roar Guru
So much for the rules changes increasing scoring ... so far at least.
Cat
Roar Guru
So much for the 'Kelly isn't going to be interested' crap some people tried to peddle on this forum.
Cat
Roar Guru
Finally arrived home from the game! What a heart stopper. Both sides equally sloppy and inaccurate, but nothing atypical for round 1. Really, really pleased with Chucky Rohan. He may not get a lot of stats but he busted his guts out all night and just kept hunting the ball and putting pressure on. Also halved a lot of contested balls. Geelong's forward pressure was a ton better than last year. Atkins, Miers and Constable all played decent first up games. Dahlhaus was good too. Quite happy with Stanley's efforts against Grundy/Cox. Neither dominated so I'll take that as a win. Biggest disappointment was Blicavs. 5 of the first 6 Pies goals were kicked against or because of him. Just a dirty night. At least it didn't cost us the win. Hopefully Bews is right to go soon, missed him to cover Elliot who threatened to tear us apart in the first half.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I think the new rules may favour the teams with a bit of inside grunt. Pies need to get Adams and Sier back in quick smart.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Lol, a bit early to be calling that Anon
Dean
Guest
I thought your midfield looked a bit slow tonight particularly against Danger and Kelly. Could rectify that by giving some minutes to Stephenson in the middle where he will play more footy in the coming years. Elliot and Moore both looked good and with a few more games should have better cohesion with De Goey and Elliot. I know Cox is up there but l think the pies are missing a genuine big forward with experience. Only the first round and l reckon they might bounce back next week. I think people underestimate too many teams and the competition is a lot closer than 4 or 5 teams.
anon
Roar Pro
anon anon Roar Pro March 19th 2019 @ 3:09pm They finished 4th last year with a very easy fixture. Sure, they beat the Tigers convincingly in the prelim, but upsets do happen in sport otherwise we wouldn’t watch. It came out of nowhere. Remains to be seen whether it was an anomaly or a trend. I suspect an anomaly because Collingwood were a middle of the road kind of team for 23 rounds. Don’t forget that from 1/4 time of the Grand Final West Coast were at least a 10 goal better team, they were just terribly inaccurate in front of goal. All of this on Collingwood’s home ground against an interstate team too. heh
Mister Football
Roar Guru
pretty good opening Friday night game, some early season jitters, but hot footy all night
peter chrisp
Guest
The best side won no doubt about it, we were faves The Pies and gee you can't right off Ablett no matter what anyone says. As PTS we could be 3-0
anon
Roar Pro
Collingwood beat one top 8 team in the home and away last year. They're a middling type of team. I reckon they'll struggle to make the 8 now.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Thanks for the call, AD. Good luck to your boys.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Yup, he was phenomenally good. Among the best games he has played, surely.
Dean
Guest
Not sure but his value is going to go up and West Coast are going to have to come up with something big for the cats to get a deal done.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Kelly was amazing, Three Brownlows, Treloar two, Dangerfield one. Grundy was good but Ratugolea and Stanley did enough to reduce his influence. Poor kicking on a perfect night marred what was an intense game. Hawkins 500 goals worth celebrating
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Congrats, man. Good job from your lads.