Collingwood Side by Side in 2019

Originally posted by daicosisgod ↑

Well despite freezing my nuts off the game was played in pretty good conditions with a very cool breeze but not a drop of rain. Geelong coach dropped ruckman Rhys Stanley before the bounce I think because of the forecasted rain, that did not arrive.

Speed kills. The Collingwood forward line is quick. Jamie Elliott showed why Buckley has spent two seasons waiting for his body to get right. He was all class and grit with a devastating first half. Grundy showed why he is All Australian dominating the ruck and around the ground. Pendlebury, Adams, Treloar and Sidebottom were on fire for the whole night. The two goals from Adams and the Pendles ‘special’ in the third quarter gave Pies fans a deep inner glow.

Geelong are slow with the exception of Tim Kelly and Patrick Dangerfield. Gary Ablett had a dirty night, he has lost his pace and now gets caught, young Maynard gave him a bath.

The Collingwood backline was magnificent with Howe and Moore controlling the air and Roughead taking Hawkins to the cleaners. Maynard, Greenwood (until injured), Crisp and young Noble did not put a foot wrong all night.

Every Collingwood player performed well. Mihocek was magnificent and did a huge amount of grunt work all night and missed out on a couple of free kicks that were there. Callum Brown again showed his speed and tackling pressure, Hoskin Elliott kicked a great goal and made a number of 80 metre leads to give his backline a target coming out of defence. Josh Thomas was busy all night and what about tackling machine Rupert Wills, he was at it all night with lots of repeat second and third and even fourth efforts. The Collingwood fans love Wills. In fact I watched a replay of Saints versus Pies ( round 9) last week and in that game Wills just tackled everything and he did the same thing last night, Buckley would have been wrapt with what Wills gave to the team.

Geelong’s best were Dangerfield, especially 2nd half and Tom Stewart who was great all night but played a lonely hand down back. Father Time has also caught up to Harry Taylor, a great player that has slowed down. Gryan Miers of Geelong can also hold his head up, presenting all night and kicking a couple of goals.

Injuries to Levi Greenwood and Jordan De Goey took the shine off the Pies great win but fingers crossed for the boys. What chance of a fairytale ending to the career of Tyson Goldsack with a recall and another grand final game. What an irresistible thought and perhaps a coming miracle that could deliver Bucks his first AFL premiership. You couldn’t write this book.

Go Pies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Chris Mayne also deserves a big mention. He was leading the possessions with nine at quarter time and covered for Greenwood after half time and had a great match overall.