Pre Match. Pies v. Eagles. Elimination Final.

[Abdul The Bull]

Despite the compelling evidence to the contrary, I am always bemused by those that think we will just turn around our fortunes because it's finals time. And those same people imply that, although Collingwood are capable of such transformations, other teams are exempt from the same luxury.

We are too soft in the middle and will be 'nutted' at centre clearances - to use our coach's vernacular. Our forward structures are far too predictable and a quality team defense like WCE have will shut us down with ease. Our own defense will stand up well but the sheer weight of numbers from the repeat centre clearances and forward 50 entries will be telling in the end.
WCE by plenty.

BTW isn't it amazing that WCE can get all their injured back in contention and Collingwood never do? Collingwood have an uncanny ability to turn a slight nick (1-2 week injury) into a 6-8 week drama.

Do I sound jaded and cynical - you betcha. Something's gotta change...

[didick]

^100%

[piedys]

[RudeBoy]

I normally am a glass half full guy, but in all honesty I can't seem to generate much excitement about our prospects in this game. While there's always a chance that we'll come good and win this game, right now it's hard to imagine .

The problem is we have too many players down on form. At our best we can beat anyone, but for most of this crazy season Grundy has been ordinary (by his previous high standards), Stephenson has been embarrassingly timid, Cox has played only 1 good game, Thomas has hardly fired a shot all year and Mihocek has not been the same since his concussion. For some reason also, I can't recall a game all year when Pendles, Treloar and Adams have played well together. We need all 3 of these to fire together.

Our only hope is that the week's rest enables us to freshen up, re-focus and hit the Eagles hard with everything we've got. Forget about new game plans or sweeping changes to our team - what we need is confidence, enthusiasm, team spirit and full on aggression. In particular, this needs to be led by Grundy, up against Natanui. The only team change I'm hoping for is the return of Sier. To my mind, we are currently missing a big bodied midfielder and he is the only one on our list capable of impacting the game in our favour.

[5 from the wing on debut]

The best way to predict the future is to look at the past.
We can dare to dream, and I expect them to give it a red hot crack, but we're done.

[Raef]

My view is that our poor performance's are largely due to fumbling a very slippery ball at key moments. Based on this, my theory is that we were happy to travel to WA to get away from the dewey conditions of the Gabba.

Our skills will improve in the dryer conditions in WA and we will win.

Then by the time we return to the Gabba, the October winds that J Brown has been banging on about will dry out the Gabba and we will continue to our way to the flag.

[Lazza]

Yeah..........................Nah😣 Love your positive attitude and unbridled optimism but in all honesty I can’t see this happening. We are just not gelling together as a team. We’ll get close but no cigar 👎🏾

[alexjvillani]

Plus 0-11 clearances in favour of Port on Monday (2nd half), now switch that with Nic Nat and their midfield... good lord it's gonna be a long night.

[mattdally]

I think the opposite.
Dry conditions will only expose our lack of skill. Our only chance to remain competitive will be if the ball is wet and slippery.

They tore us a new one last time in perfect conditions. Bring on the dew.

[derkd]

Our effort will be first rate, our disposal poor, we will lose in a close match. Well that save me a few hours of watching

[ANNODAM]

[WarrenerraW]

As per usual with us, everything will depend upon which Collingwood shows up: Jekyll or Hyde! I'm not confident we will win - far from it, and everything is set up for the wee girls to piss on our faces once again.

A home final, star players all set to return, decent form and a game plan and structures superior to ours. We will need a miracle to defeat them. Nothing about the way we've played recently suggests we're good enough and NB's hot potato handball happy game plan is not the key to victory.

Our defence is solid but against the likes of darling and kennedy we'll struggle. Our mids are good but over use it and cough it up time and time again. Simply put, if we resort to over use of the football then we're done for. It doesn't work and we'll just turn the ball over and play into their hands. But if we reduce the handball to kick ratio and take them on then we're a chance. That and improve our decision making and precision by hand and foot.

Our mids need to be solid and we need to win or break even in the centre clearances. Not sure how you close down nic nat but we need to find a way. Grundy as good as he is need to tap to our advantage and be ruthless.

Our delivery going forward has been shocking to say the least. Time and time again we see the ball sail over the heads of our forwards, fall short or spray wide of the mark. That's not good enough and will not win you finals, especially against the best opposition.

Literally everything needs to go right for us and some luck come our way. I want to see a ruthless Collingwood throw caution to the wind and take the game on at all costs. To not turn it over or over use the ball. Unfortunately this isn't NB's style. We're too nice and plain. Time to step up and get nasty Pies. I'm always hopeful. Go Pies!!

[5 from the wing on debut]

[Troppo]

[Haff]

Ha. Another smacking coming up. Then we will keep Beams on the list, make some minor who cares changes to our list, waste our first round pick and be shit again next year then do it all again