MATCH REPORT
Collingwood vs Brisbane: Match Review - By Johnson#26
After putting up a brave fight for the first half, Collingwood faded meekly to the might of the Brisbane Lions to the tune of ___ points. The Magpies must now look to the future, as they see if the young players can withstand the pressures of AFL football. After an encouraging first half, Brisbane taught the Pies a football lesson, with the Lions pulling away in the third quarter.
The first quarter began well for Collingwood, who after conceding an early goal to Brisbane, scored two of its own, with Brodie Holland and Shane O'Bree cashing in on the teams good work. As the rain pelted down, the Magpies confidence rose, as they matched the Lions for courage and skill and led at quarter time by ___ points. McKee was excillent for the Pies with seven marks, while Fraser and Buckley also performed well.
Collingwood continued their good form in the second quarter, scoring the first goal through Lonie, who looked good up forward all night. But the Lions then hit back, with Lynch and McRae getting on top. McRae scored two goals and provided the Pies with a danger all evening with his pace and skill. The Lions eventually got on top, leading by two points at the long break. McKee continued his good form, while Wakelin held Lynch well, with a small rivalry breaking out between the two veterans.
After the game had promised so much, the last half fizzled out with the Lions trampling the Magpies, dominating the quarter with ___ goals to ___. Power, Voss, Black and Caracella all dominated as the Pies meekley surrended to go into three quarter time trailing by ____ points. Only James Clement and Shane Wakelin put up any resistance as the Pies crumbled under the pressure. Sadly for Wakelin, he broke his arm late in the quarter after a clash with Lynch.
The last quarter added salt into the wound, with the Lions toying with the Pies to run out 36 point victors. Buckley goaled early in the quarter to give the Pies some hope, the Lions hit back, destroying the Pies finals hopes. Davis and Rocca added some consolation goals towards the end, but it could not stop the Lions winning by six goals. Dispite good performances by Buckley, Clement and McKee, the Pie have much improvement to do if they are to be challengers in 2005.
Player Review:
Leon Davis: 3/10 - Quiet match. Tried hard but couldn't stand the pressure.
Shane Woewodin: 4/10 - Quiet. Was hardly sighted apart from his 3rd quarter goal.
Ryan Lonie:6.5/10 - Best game for the season. Was a spark at half forward and needs to be persisted with. Classy player with a great kick.
Nathan Buckley: 5.5/10 - Good early but faded late. Played forward without Tarrant or Didak and tried his heart out. Still finding fitness.
Brodie Holland: 4.5/10 - Bright start but faded. Has hit a slow patch.
James Clement: 7.5/10 - Skilled, cool, calm and collected. If he isn't All-Australian this season there is something very wrong.
Shane O'Bree: 2/10 - Sloppy disposal and didn't do enough. His carrer is sinking down the tube.
Steven McKee: 6.5/10 - Very good all night. Tried his heart out and possibly saved his carrer. Showed great hands in the wet.
Richard Cole: 3/10 - Quiet compared to recent weeks. Gave his all but made one or two errors.
Shane Wakelin: 6/10 - Gave his all against Lynch and deserved better then a broken arm. Hopefuly it wasn't the final chapter of their rivalry.
Scott Burns: 4.5/10 - Very quiet all night. Spent too long on the bench for a wet weather player.
Paul Licuria: 5/10 - Gave his all once again but had an off night.
Rhyce Shaw: 8/10 - Great match on Akermanis and destroyed him. Finally quelled his Grand Final demons.
Anthony Rocca: 5/10 - Presented well but couldn't get into the game. Scored a consolation goal at the finish.
Tarkyn Lockyer: 5/10 - Bobbed up at times but was generally quiet.
Josh Fraser: 6/10 - Tried hard in ruck but it wasn't his evening. Class stood out in wet weather.
Ben Johnson: 4/10 - Continued his quiet patch on McRae. Needs to do more.
Matthew Lokan: 2/10 - Did nothing to enhance his reputation apart from a nice goal in the second quarter.
Simon Prestigiacomo: 4/10 - Did well early before fading. Gabe his all as always.
Dane Swan: 1/10 - Made shocking skill errors and showed no confidence. Needs a spell at Willi.
Julian Rowe: 4/10 - I liked his game, as he showed skill and class. One for the future.
Nick Maxwell: 4/10 - Showed good hands and composure. Must be persisted with as he is Wakelin's replacement.