Magpies Overcome Poor Swans

by Frank Ienco reporting for AFANA from Telstra Stadium

Collingwood have re-affirmed themselves as one of Victoria’s main hopes for the Premiership flag following their 13 point disposal of an insipid Sydney side in their now-annual split-round clash at Telstra Stadium. The Magpies overcame a shock last-start loss to lowly Melbourne to lead from start to finish, and were rarely threatened against a stumbling and fumbling home side. The Swans defeat leaves them precariously placed at 6-6 and the defending Grand Finalists are in serious danger of missing the finals for the first time since Paul Roos became coach in 2003.

With an expected crowd of between 60 to 70 thousand people and a top four spot on the line for the winner, tonight’s game had the anticipation of a finals-type contest. Collingwood appeared to handle the pressured atmosphere quicker, and the large traveling Magpie Army were already on their feet within the first minute when young cult hero dale Thomas kicked a long goal from the 50 meter arc. Within moments, Thomas appeared to have another when he snapped an opportunistic goal, but the umpires had not called advantage on a free kick to team-mate Anthony Rocca for a hands in the back ruling against Leo Barry. Rocca subsequently missed the set shot but he was not going to be denied a goal when he out-marked Barry and slotted the Pies second goal from 45 meters.

Much had been made earlier in the week about how the Magpies would cope with Sydney’s forward artillery with four of their best defenders, including All-Australian James Clement, out of the side through injury. But the Swans rarely put the Collingwood backline under any pressure, instead choosing to chip the ball around their half-forward line, regularly forcing themselves into poor skill errors or kicking to teammates under pressure. It would be a theme that would continue for the rest of the night. It would take until the 21^st minute mark of the quarter for the Swans to finally kick a major in bizarre circumstances. Magpies’ midfielder Brodie Holland, already off the field and heading to his bench, was adjudged to be holding up Swan Luke Ablett. Ablett duly converted from the 50 meter penalty but any hopes of a Sydney revival were short-lived when Scott Pendlebury put the Magpies back in the ascendancy. Leon Davis had the chance to put the Magpies further out in front at quarter time with a hot after the siren, but his set shot went wide. For all their domination Collingwood should have led by more at the first change, instead the leaf was only 3.5 (23) to 1.1 (7).

The second quarter would become a carbon copy of the first as the Swans continued to appear lost and confused as they made poor skill errors and failed to find forward targets. While they had looked shaky at different times this season, tonight their tepid performances had been brought to a new level. All-Australian full-back Barry had looked shaky playing on Rocca during the first term and his night got worse early in the second as the former Swan put two further goals on the board in the opening 10 minutes. The first was on the back of an inspired one-handed mark, while the second came after a spectacular mark on Barry’s back that will make the season’s highlight reels. Collingwood’s lead extended as far as 35 points when Dale Thomas bagged his second from a goal on the run from 50. Sydney’s only respite for the quarter came in the 11^th minute when they finally moved the ball long inside forward 50, with Ryan O’Keefe taking a strong contested mark before goaling. While both sides were playing large numbers around the ball, the Magpies still remained dominant and were beating Sydney at their own game. Their only weakness came in front goal as they failed to put the Swans away for good, kicking five straight behinds in the latter half of the term. The score at the main break saw the Magpies in front by 34 points, 6.11 (47) to 2.1 (13).

With the loudest roar of the night from the Swans faithful coming during the half-time Auskick matches, it was apparent that The Comeback Kings would need something from the top draw to salvage something from this match. But coach Paul Roos’ words failed to register with his players, as his side continued to dally with possession and failing to match the Magpies intensity. Their night was optimized when O’Keefe attempted to evade two defenders, only to be penalized for running too far. From the ensuing possession, Collingwood showed the Swans how to moved the ball forward with Rocca sending a long ball inside 50 for Aland Didak to mark and run on to kick a goal. Michael O’Loughlin had provided Sydney’s only main threat up forward and the hard working forward was rewarded when he kicked his first goal from close range mid-way through the quarter. But the Swans’ failed to capitalise and Travis Cloke, who had missed gettable opportunities in both the second and third quarters, finally goaled to put the match firmly back in the Magpies favour.

By the end of three quarter time, the Swans had only managed to kick one goal per term, the score line 8.13 (61) to 3.4 (22). There was one negative for the Magpies in the quarter, however, with Rocca involved in an incident mid-way through the term which saw him make what appears to be high contact with Swan Sean Dempster, while attempting to make a shepard for Alan Didak. While the incident was not reported, it will be surely scrutinised further later this week.     

Sydney played far better football in the final quarter and were a more cohesive unit. Star full-forward Barry Hall, who had been frustrated all night and was worn like a glove by veteran Magpies defender Shane Wakelin, finally broke the shackles when he kicked his first early in the quarter. When Swans ruckman Peter Everitt was left all alone inside attacking 50, before duly converting his chance, the home side still had a pulse. While Thomas converted his third goal for the Magpies, Swans fans were on their feet when Adam Goodes goaled on the run to bring the margin back to just three goals. The Swans were finally move the ball more freely and quickly, but as they had all night, the Magpies, despite having a weaker side on paper, willed themselves again to put the game beyond any doubt. Entering time-on, Thomas was able to remove his opponent off the ball before snapping true from the near the boundary line to cap off an eventual 19 point victory for Collingwood, 10.16 (76) to 8.9 (57).

While it was difficult to come up with a number of Swans who had performed well for their side, the same couldn’t be said for the Magpies, who had match-winners across the ground. Shane Wakelin was a brilliant playing on Hall in defence, while Scott Burns led the way in the way in the Collingwood midfield with his efforts. The stars of the show would undoubtedly have been Rocca and Thomas, the latter expanding his cult hero status further north. But another unlikely star of the night was Irish debutant Martin Clarke, who racked up an impressive 20 possessions in his first senior AFL game.

Unlike recent seasons, Sydney will be given a second crack at the Magpies when the two sides meet again in nine weeks time at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. In the meantime, the Swans face a difficult trip to Skilled Stadium next Saturday afternoon to take on the top-of-the-table Geelong; while Collingwood faces another blockbuster, this time against Hawthorn at a sold-out Telstra Dome next Sunday night. 

Final Score- Sydney 1.1 2.1 3.4 8.9
             Collingwood 3.5 6.11 8.13 10.16
Goals- Sydney: O’Keefe 2, O’Loughlin 2, Ablett, Hall, Everitt, Goodes. Collingwood: Thomas 4,
Rocca 3, Pendlebury, Didak, Cloke.
Best- Sydney: O’Keefe, O’Louglin, Kirk, C. Botlon. Collingwood: Thomas, Rocca, Clarke, 
H. Shaw, Burns, Wakelin.
Changes- Sydney: N Davis (ankle) replaced in selected side by H Grundy. Collingwood: Nil.
Injuries- Sydney: Nil. Collingwood: Nil. 
Reports- Nil. 
Umpires- Vozzo, Margetts, Ryan
Attendance- 64,222 @ Telstra Stadium, Sydney