Collingwood midfielder Luke Ball has admitted the club have plenty of room for improvement this season after a modest beginning to the New Year. The Magpies currently find themselves 1-2 from the opening three games of the season, knowing they face a crucial clash against Richmond at the MCG on Friday, with the result leaving one of the clubs with a record of 1-3 and facing an uphill struggle to make it into the top eight.
The Magpies suffered an 11-point defeat to Geelong at the weekend while Richmond slumped to a loss at the hands of the Western Bulldogs, setting the scene for an explosive and important match-up at the MCG next season. Despite both sides being tipped in the bet365 AFL odds to reach this season’s finals, Friday’s game could go some way to killing off one of the club’s hopes, even at this early point of the season.
Former St. Kilda star Ball, who had 23 touches – including 13 contested – against the Cats, has admitted the Collingwood squad are preparing for a huge match on Friday, admitting both teams really need a victory to kick-start their respective seasons.
“It is (a massive game); there’s not many that aren’t these days. The Tigers are going to be smarting a bit after their loss. They’re obviously in a very similar position to us, so it’s going to be on again on Friday night,” said Ball.
“I was talking to (assistant coach) Scotty Burns and we feel like we’re tracking about five or six out of 10, so we feel like there’s plenty of upside – but that doesn’t get you the four points.”
Collingwood certainly didn’t help themselves against Geelong at the MCG, with wasteful use of the ball and an inability to finish their chances. And it’s not going to get any easier for the Pies, with games against North Melbourne, Essendon and Carlton all coming up for Collingwood after their test against Richmond. After that run of games, the Pies will have a clearer indication over just where their season is going.
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