April 20, 2024
Loading
Key posts
4.37pmYour view: Who win, Blues, Giants?4.34pmFull-time statistics4.31pmKey points from Collingwood’s win against Port Adelaide3.54pm3QT statistics3.51pm3QT: It’s Collingwood’s circus and Port are the clowns3.20pmHalf-time statistics3.05pmWhat’s with the glove?3.00pmHT: Collingwood flip the script
Pinned post from 4.31pm
Key points from Collingwood’s win against Port Adelaide
By Danny Russell
Like the Magpies of old
The Collingwood obituary being penned at quarter-time at the MCG on Saturday had to be ripped up at the long break. In other words, the death of Collingwood’s title defence had been greatly exaggerated.
They were coming off a close escape against Hawthorn in the Gather Round, and looked headed for humiliation for an up-and-about Port Adelaide side. They were too slow, too tired and lacking any hunger. There was no way they could win this year’s flag, let alone make the top four.
But players being retired after their heavy-legged opening term – Scott Pendlebury, 36, Steele Sidebottom, 32, and Tom Mitchell, 30 – suddenly found their feet. Retirement? Give them all another year.
A season that looked to be heading towards a mediocre 2-4 start across the opening six rounds, was suddenly squared at 3-3. They weren’t dead and buried, they had just got back later from their bye. They might not yet be the Magpies of 2023 – who belted Port Adelaide by 71 points at the MCG in round two last year – but there is now a familiar ring.
Collingwood v Port Adelaide.Credit: Getty
Nick Daicos is back accumulating possessions, Jordan De Goey is back to his bullocking best, Pendlebury is directing traffic, and there is fast and sure rebounding from defence through their wings – Sidebottom, Jack Crisp and Josh Daicos. Ruck duo of Mason Cox and Darcy Cameron are providing an alternative target up forward, easing the aerial load on Brody Mihocek.
The Magpies came back from their bye a quarter late, or so it seemed, but once on song, they turned a 31-point deficit during the second quarter into a comprehensive win.
It sets up a mouth-watering Anzac Day clash against an up-and-about Essendon.
An unlikely hero
Don’t forget your wingman. The often-maligned Will Hoskin-Elliott provided a much-needed spark in the second quarter with a goal -hanger and an ensuing goal. It fired the Magpie Army into voice, and his teammates into action.
Hoskin-Elliott doesn’t win weekly accolades. He is a fringe player, who seems to be forever clinging to a future, and fighting for yearly contracts.
On Saturday at the MCG, he certainly earned another check. He was up and down the ground, providing a vital link. He is fast, he can jump and he is an accurate kick.
When the tide turned, small forwards Jamie Elliott, Bobby Hill and Patrick Lipinski reaped the benefits of his early work.
Port midfield loses its potency
Can someone put out a missing persons memo? Looking for three Port Adelaide midfielders – lost after quarter time at the MCG on Saturday afternoon, April 20.
Connor Rozee, Jason Horne-Francis and Zak Butters were the envy of every coach when they torched Essendon during the Gather Round. But, apart from Butters’ 15 possessions in the first quarter against Collingwood, they have gone missing.
Collingwood v Port Adelaide.Credit: Getty
Their lack of possessions starved the Power forwards, and their lack of pressure made it tough for their defenders. Resting Charlie Dixon was a moot point in the end. No supply. Although his replacement Jordon Sweet was soundly beaten by Mason Cox and Darcy Cameron.
Ken Hinkley and Port Adelaide would do well to forget about the Collingwood drubbing and concentrate on their Friday night clash at home against St Kilda.
Latest posts
Latest posts
5.48pm
HT: Giants hold the lead, Weitering in injury trouble
Just when it was looking like GWS were going to put their foot down and pull away – they kicked six goals in a row – Carlton went on a run of two right before half-time.
It brought the margin back down to just nine points.
This from Andrew Wu at Marvel: Jacob Weitering is in a bit of trouble on the sidelines after landing awkwardly in a marking contest.
He hobbled straight off for treatment on his leg. He’s headed into the rooms via the race next to the bench while his teammates leave through the conventional exit.
GWS by 9 at HT.
Aaron Cadman of GWS.Credit: Getty
5.42pm
Blues get a breather
Ollie Hollands kicked Carlton’s first goal of the second quarter, this after they booted five behinds.
Then, minutes later, Sam De Koning scooped the ball up after it spilled from a contrast in Carlton’s attacking half and booted a huge goal.
The Blues are back in it.
This in contrast to GWS’ five goals, three behinds for the second term.
GWS by 10.
5.33pm
Alarms bells start to ring for the Blues
By Andrew Wu
It’s not quite panic stations yet for the Blues but the alarm bells will be ringing in the coaches’ box.
The Giants have maintained their rage and managed to draw even for the contested ball.
The Blues can’t lay any meaningful pressure on the men in orange, who have scooted clear with six goals on the trot.
Lachie Ash of GWS.Credit: Getty
Advertisement
5.32pm
Giants start to surge
Well, after the opening arm wrestle at Marvel, the Giants have started to surge. They have the last six goals, the last three from Aaron Cadman, Jake Riccardi and Toby Bedford.
GWS look like scoring every time they go forward and they’re making Carlton pay for their turnovers.
While Carlton are winning the ball at the source, up in clearances, both centre and from stoppages, they are giving it away far too easy.
GWS by 21.
5.25pm
GWS get another
The Giants are back in front at Marvel Stadium.
A classy handball chain finished with the ball in the hands of Josh Kelly, who kicked the ball on the run to give GWS back the lead.
GWS by 4.
5.23pm
Hogan shows his class
Jesse Hogan, the current Coleman race leader, has a massive kick from the boundary to keep things nice and tight.
It’s the first goal of the second quarter, seven minutes in, as these two sides battle around the park.
Charlie Curnow backed it up with a behind.
Carlton by 2.
Carlton v GWS.Credit: Getty
Advertisement
5.13pm
Where the teams are at at QT
By Andrew Wu
I suspect neither coach will be entirely comfortable with the way this game is being played.
The Blues have been dominant for the contested ball, leading that by 17, including a 14-7 clearance count, but the Giants’ pressure has been top class.
I doubt the Blues can sustain such dominance at the contest, though it will be hard for the Giants to maintain their defensive acts as well.
Carlton v GWSCredit: Getty
5.09pm
QT: It’s a close encounter at Marvel Stadium
GWS’ Toby Bedford kicked a goal right on the cusp of quarter-time to draw Carlton’s lead back to six points.
Just a goal in it feels right – this is a tantalising clash between two highflyers of the competition right now.
Patrick Cripps leads the disposal count with 10, Sam Walsh just behind him on eight, while Leek Aleer leads the tackle count with four.
Carlton by 6 at QT.
Matthew Owies kicks the first goal of the game.Credit: Getty
5.03pm
Blues take the lead (again)
The score was all tied up for a hot minute there, which felt fitting for this close encounter, but Tom De Koning gave Carlton back the lead with his first goal of the afternoon.
Corey Durdin then backed it up with his own major.
This from our AFL reporter Andrew Wu at Marvel Stadium:
Blues fans have turned up in decent numbers again. Looks to be a 40,000-plus crowd. There’s not much orange in the stands at all, as you would expect for a GWS game in Melbourne.
Carlton by 12.
Carlton.Credit: Getty
Advertisement
4.56pm
We may have an early trend in this game
By Andrew Wu
The Blues are well on top at the stoppages, winning the first five centre clearances.
The Giants, though, have been efficient inside 50.
Michael Voss will be pleased with his team’s stoppage work, less so their team defending.
Most Viewed in Sport
Loading