MATCH REPORT

Collingwood vs Richmond: Match Review - Ed from WA

I didn't see the first qtr and a bit as I was driving back from the airport seeing our daughter off, and of course with a Pies game on at mid-day, the plane left late.

But, what I saw, impressed me a bit early, but it then had me cringing in pain by the end.

I'm sure that before too much longer, Jason Cloke will kill one of our own players, if he continues to jump all over the packs when our smalls are in front of them.

The question must be asked....

...Why do our smalls want to mark and Jason goes the German?
So many times we are all up and that leaves only the opposition doing the crumbing, as all our players end up spreadeagled all over the deck. Would it not make sense for the smalls to sit down and guard the oppo crumbers? We've been doing this now for 2 years or more. Do we have a back coach that actually can see what's happening?

Leons' cameo role in the 3rd qtr, where he set up 3 goals in 5 minutes, was good to watch. He is like most small fwds, he isn't in it all day but he is good value if he kicks a couple and sets a couple up each week. But, I hated his set shot miss in the last qtr, spoiled his whole game for me.

In the last qtr, we were 4 goals up and had all the play in the first 5 minutes and kicked 5 points and one out of bounds, then of course the opposition said, "if you dont want it, we do", and they nearly did take it.

It was only pride in the jumper that got us over the line. We would have to be winning in the clanger competition this year, and are also well ahead as the most wasteful side in the comp, which is why we have september off this year. Very nearly kicked ourselves out of a win for the 8th time this year.

I thought Jason Cloke did ok early, but got beaten in the end when our midfield went to sleep.

When bucks went out of the middle we struggled. Some work in the second and 3 rd qtrs was our best fwd entry all year. O'Bree and Lokan will never take us to the next level, trade bait at best. Walker did his best work down back. Although, I'm not convinced he is an AFL player yet. His leads were all cut off when he played down fwd. This showed lack of fwd nous from him and those that passed to him.

Lonie gibbed it a couple of times but made amends with his recieving, and finishing, he may be the wide reciever we have to have.

Woey had a dip but his lack of pace caught him out and he made a few clangers.

The kickins were woeful. Clement made too many clangers, worst effort from him kicking wise all year.

However, I like the way Richie Cole is progressing, maybe he is destined for a wing, but he has to get his head around what he is doing, instead of just charging through packs without bouncing or looking.

We didn't see enough of Shakleton to make anything of his first game.

All in all a disappointing win in a disappointing season. We have kids we haven't tried yet, like hall and crow, and may have to wait a few years yet for them.

I thought McKee did enough to warrant another club grabbing him. He could be a handy fwd at another place. He is a good mark and kick. Unfortunately, just can't ruck for shite.

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