MATCH REPORT
Collingwood vs Port Adelaide: Match Review -Johnson#26
Collingwood’s sorry season of 2004 continued on Friday night, when they were comprehensively thumped by finalist Port Adelaide by 37 points. After a strong first term, the Pies were no match for a rampant Power, who had their sights set on knocking off the Power – their bunnies of recent times. Collingwood now look to round 22 – the last match of the season against old enemy Carlton. The Blues have been in great form in recent weeks, and will look to end their solid season on a high.
The first quarter began with the Power’s 1997 National Rising Star Michael Wilson scoring the first from a stoppage in the forward pocket. Brendan Lade then got Port’s second only minutes later and it looked as if it would be a 50 point plus mauling. But Josh Fraser lit the Magpie fuse alight with a fast snap out of the pack for the Pies first. Minutes later, rover Tarkyn Locker bobbed up on the half forward flank to level the scores. With not long left in the term, Scott Burns found a path through a pack to see the Pies to a seven point quarter time lead. Lonie, McGough and Fraser were dominating for the Maggies, while Woewodin was solid across half back.
The whole of the second quarter belong to the Power. Any chances of a Collingwood victory were extinguished when Port, via a Warren Treadra avalanche, destroyed the Pies chances. Treadra, matched up by the injured James Clement, could not be stopped as he took the Power to a huge eight goal lead. The Magpies only goal for the term came from Ryan Lonie, who, after a nice Walker intercept goaled on the run in the Magpies only promising forward move for the term. The Pies forward structure fell apart with Tarrant and Buckley leading to the pockets, leaving the midfielders with no one to kick to.
The Power continued their dominance in the third term, scoring four goals to one for the quarter. Collingwood had their chances, but couldn’t convert, in scoring four behinds. The Pies only goal came when Mark McGough marked in front of Damian Hardwick, had an argument, went back and scored the goal with his new look kicking action and gave a bit of stick to Hardwick, who could only watch. This was to be one of the few highlights for Magpie fans on a dirty night. The Power closed the game, through Lade and Cochrane, who goaled from outside fifty to put the game beyond doubt. When the three quarter time siren sounded, Port led by 40 points. Although Buckley had come into the game, and Lonie and Johnson had stepped up, the Pies couldn’t make inroads to the Power lead.
The final quarter was the Magpies best, as they scored four goals four to three goals one. Lonie and Johnson, who were two of the few players to stand up on the night, scored some great goals from the boundary line on a night where Magpie goals were hard to find. Burns and Lonie added two goals each for the quarter, but it was not enough to deny a 37 point victory to a Power side which is currently brimming with confidence. The two Cornes boys, Chad and Kane were both influential in the resalt, as they hurt the Pies with their run and drive from defence. For Collingwood, only Lonie, Woewodin, Burns, Johnson, Fraser and new boy Julian Rowe could hold their heads high. Buckley and Tarrant came into the game late but it wasn’t enough to hold the Power. Collingwood now have one game left, against the Blues, while Port face the Crows before the finals.
Player Review:
Leon Davis: 3/10 – Added spark when he won the ball, but that was the problem – finding the pill!
Shane Woewodin: 7/10 – Solid and steady across half back all night, and was the teams best.
Ryan Lonie: 6.5/10 – Very good effort. One of his best games of recent times across the forward line, scoring three nice goals.
Alan Didak: 0/10 – Barely sighted all night. Hasn’t got his form back since his jaw injury.
Nathan Buckley: 5.5/10 – Solid after half time, Buckley appeared frustrated across half forward, where he couldn’t put his stamp on the contest.
Brodie Holland: 3/10 – Very quiet night for Brodie, who had Wanganeen as his task.
James Clement: 2.5/10 – Very quiet night for Clement, who struggled against Treadra who out marked him on many occasions. May be carrying an injury.
Shane O’Bree: 3/10 – Won the ball early but struggled form then on.
Richard Cole: 5/10 – Solid, if not spectacular. Struggled against Pickett’s strength.
Scott Burns: 6/10 – Tried very hard as always but couldn’t do it all himself. One of the only tough nuts in the side.
Paul Licuria: 4.5/10 – Got as bit of it early but struggled afterwards. Has had a quiet few weeks.
Andrew Williams: 5/10 – Tried his hardest but made too many errors. Did some nice things.
Chris Tarrant: 5/10 – Got a lot of the ball but it was in the pockets and on the wings. Just couldn’t hurt Port.
Rhyce Shaw: 2/10 – Barely sighted.
Tarkyn Lockyer: 3/10 – Very quiet night for Tarks apart from a nice running goal.
Josh Fraser: 6.5/10 – Battled his heart out in the ruck with little support.
Ben Johnson: 6.5/10 – Battled on and got better as the night wore on. His kicking still lets him down.
Mark McGough: 5/10 – Battled on but not his best nights work.
David King:
1/10 – Ordinary night, signified by a point from only 20 meters
out.
Jason
Cloke: 4/10 – Showed nice hands but couldn’t go with Thurstans.
Tristan Walker: 4/10 – Continues to show something, which is a promising future sign.
Julian Rowe: 6/10 – Probably his best game for the club. Worked very hard and has skill, pace and time.