Membling
Brownlow Medallist
Not much occurring this week, so thought would preview the match between our potential opponents! (And because I have banned myself from doing an actual Swans game preview this Finals period)
Last time they played:
Pies had a comprehensive win last time they played which kick started their winning streak.
The main thing that decided this game was pressure. Collingwood’s pressure in the second and third quarter was suffocating, effectively putting a hand brake on Freo. Their scoring and ability to get it into the f50 just…. Stopped. Now it is important to note that the game was wet, which plays into Collingwood’s get it forward at all times game plan and really bogs down Freo’s high handballing play. They also outworked Freo where it matters, evidence by 88 to 61 tackles.
Form:
The form of both clubs has been good with Collingwood’s largest lose being 27 points to us in round 22. And I am sure everyone has heard about the Pies liking it close which has been seen through multiple close wins during the season. The average margin (excluding our blowout) has been 4.5 points across four matches. It has just been tight. Major scalps of Melb and Blues have helped bolster their confidence.
Freo have been on the up and up since being belted by the Dees on Optus. Their average winning has been approximately 18 points over four matches. Now, what does take the sheen off, the only finals aspirant that Freo have taken care of is WB who they managed to dispatch of twice in recent weeks.
Changes to each time last time they faced the Swans:
Noting the teams have yet to be released and there is potential for injury and return from injury for the prelim, this is a stab.
The main changes that I foresee for Collingwood from when we played them will be De Goey for Bianco. Now this is a big in as he is a class player (class human being is a completely different discussion). His play and off field antics remind me of Stringer and we struggle with those kinds of players. Expect a close checking from Mills. Johnson will be a big out as that will leave Cox and Mihocek to be the KPFs which is really less than ideal for them. Adams is a huge loss for them, however was absent last time we played.
Team that faced Cats
Freo on the other hand, are a bit harder to gauge. There are question marks over Fyfe due to injury and O’Driscoll did a mischief to his ankle so will be time sensitive in regards to who is available. From last time we played them, I reckon Amiss and Switkowski will be in for Fyfe and Coyler. Now, does Freo risk an underdone Fyfe to play? I mean, sure, roll the dice. Worst case is rest him up as a third tall in the i50
Team that faced Dogs
What we are watching for:
Pies:
This team is built on the foundation of pressure, ball movement and switching the play to open the fat side and allow for plays to get free and run in waves into the i50. We will need to watch the how and who does this for the pies. Pretty much, I will be expecting the dual conduits of Crisp and Daicos off of the backline. Limiting N Daicos will be key for any team, same with Crisp (or Maynard as they cycle it). This will go a long, long way in to stopping their quick movement of the ball into their i50. Additionally Sg Sidebottom and J Daicos is require as again, the drive comes from those outside runners. Swans glasses on and is pretty simple, Clamps on N Daicos, JMac on J DAicos and Stephens to run Steele into the ground.
Clearances are where both the Swans and Pies have looked exceptionally vulnerable. The assignment has gotten a bit tougher with the inclusion of De Goe,y who had a very good game against the Cats and game them a potent weapon in the middle. Pies also like a loose man at the back - either in d50 or half kick behind play to allow for easier transition. If any club allows for this to happen, they have rocks in their head. For the Swans we need to do what we did this week in the Prelims. He who controls the ball, controls the score. Seeing how the pies set up and if they persist with a loose man behind play will likely shape the prelim match ups.
Freo:
Freo is has been progressively building for the past three or four years and nailing the draft and trade period without feeling the need to say they have won it. They have a young core of mids who can seemingly extract it at will and then put it into their f50. However, Freo have developed a bad habit of over possessing the ball to try and get a man free to hit up a target ahead, be it on the wing or the f50. This over possessing can enable high pressuring sides to get the better of them and will be interesting to see how Collingwood go about this. If they make the Prelim, we need bring the manic pressure, then the ball will be turned over allowing us to dictate play like we did back in our previous encounter. So it is pretty simple. Bring the pressure, force freo to over use it and turn it over then play keepings off til we get a goal. Simples.
Freo have continually been searching for a KPF 1-2 punch since… their inception? It has seriously been a long, long time and it does not look like they have it yet. Amiss looks promising but still have severe doubts about Lobb or Tab filling those roles long term. However, they are coming against a team who are not blessed with KPPs and have a relatively favourable match up out of most other remaining finalists. The real question is where the delivery will benefit their talls and if they are able to lock down on the Pies HBF movement with Walters, Fredrick and Switkowski. IF they are able to draw even then could be very hard to beat. For a match-up with the swans, I believe that we have them comfortably covered in that respect.
Stray thoughts:
In terms of match ups, I would prefer to play Pies at the SCG. I think that we match up to their systems well and we have a bit more class, especially by foot all over the park. The only concern is the wild card nature of the pies.
I expect Freo would play better on the SCG than Optus. They do not have the outside carry and run to really make it a fortress. Yet. Ironically, Brad Hill would fit them like a glove at the moment
Lastly, head says I want Pies to win, heart is definitely backing Freo.
Have at it.
Last time they played:
Pies had a comprehensive win last time they played which kick started their winning streak.
The main thing that decided this game was pressure. Collingwood’s pressure in the second and third quarter was suffocating, effectively putting a hand brake on Freo. Their scoring and ability to get it into the f50 just…. Stopped. Now it is important to note that the game was wet, which plays into Collingwood’s get it forward at all times game plan and really bogs down Freo’s high handballing play. They also outworked Freo where it matters, evidence by 88 to 61 tackles.
Form:
The form of both clubs has been good with Collingwood’s largest lose being 27 points to us in round 22. And I am sure everyone has heard about the Pies liking it close which has been seen through multiple close wins during the season. The average margin (excluding our blowout) has been 4.5 points across four matches. It has just been tight. Major scalps of Melb and Blues have helped bolster their confidence.
Freo have been on the up and up since being belted by the Dees on Optus. Their average winning has been approximately 18 points over four matches. Now, what does take the sheen off, the only finals aspirant that Freo have taken care of is WB who they managed to dispatch of twice in recent weeks.
Changes to each time last time they faced the Swans:
Noting the teams have yet to be released and there is potential for injury and return from injury for the prelim, this is a stab.
The main changes that I foresee for Collingwood from when we played them will be De Goey for Bianco. Now this is a big in as he is a class player (class human being is a completely different discussion). His play and off field antics remind me of Stringer and we struggle with those kinds of players. Expect a close checking from Mills. Johnson will be a big out as that will leave Cox and Mihocek to be the KPFs which is really less than ideal for them. Adams is a huge loss for them, however was absent last time we played.
Team that faced Cats
Freo on the other hand, are a bit harder to gauge. There are question marks over Fyfe due to injury and O’Driscoll did a mischief to his ankle so will be time sensitive in regards to who is available. From last time we played them, I reckon Amiss and Switkowski will be in for Fyfe and Coyler. Now, does Freo risk an underdone Fyfe to play? I mean, sure, roll the dice. Worst case is rest him up as a third tall in the i50
Team that faced Dogs
What we are watching for:
Pies:
This team is built on the foundation of pressure, ball movement and switching the play to open the fat side and allow for plays to get free and run in waves into the i50. We will need to watch the how and who does this for the pies. Pretty much, I will be expecting the dual conduits of Crisp and Daicos off of the backline. Limiting N Daicos will be key for any team, same with Crisp (or Maynard as they cycle it). This will go a long, long way in to stopping their quick movement of the ball into their i50. Additionally Sg Sidebottom and J Daicos is require as again, the drive comes from those outside runners. Swans glasses on and is pretty simple, Clamps on N Daicos, JMac on J DAicos and Stephens to run Steele into the ground.
Clearances are where both the Swans and Pies have looked exceptionally vulnerable. The assignment has gotten a bit tougher with the inclusion of De Goe,y who had a very good game against the Cats and game them a potent weapon in the middle. Pies also like a loose man at the back - either in d50 or half kick behind play to allow for easier transition. If any club allows for this to happen, they have rocks in their head. For the Swans we need to do what we did this week in the Prelims. He who controls the ball, controls the score. Seeing how the pies set up and if they persist with a loose man behind play will likely shape the prelim match ups.
Freo:
Freo is has been progressively building for the past three or four years and nailing the draft and trade period without feeling the need to say they have won it. They have a young core of mids who can seemingly extract it at will and then put it into their f50. However, Freo have developed a bad habit of over possessing the ball to try and get a man free to hit up a target ahead, be it on the wing or the f50. This over possessing can enable high pressuring sides to get the better of them and will be interesting to see how Collingwood go about this. If they make the Prelim, we need bring the manic pressure, then the ball will be turned over allowing us to dictate play like we did back in our previous encounter. So it is pretty simple. Bring the pressure, force freo to over use it and turn it over then play keepings off til we get a goal. Simples.
Freo have continually been searching for a KPF 1-2 punch since… their inception? It has seriously been a long, long time and it does not look like they have it yet. Amiss looks promising but still have severe doubts about Lobb or Tab filling those roles long term. However, they are coming against a team who are not blessed with KPPs and have a relatively favourable match up out of most other remaining finalists. The real question is where the delivery will benefit their talls and if they are able to lock down on the Pies HBF movement with Walters, Fredrick and Switkowski. IF they are able to draw even then could be very hard to beat. For a match-up with the swans, I believe that we have them comfortably covered in that respect.
Stray thoughts:
In terms of match ups, I would prefer to play Pies at the SCG. I think that we match up to their systems well and we have a bit more class, especially by foot all over the park. The only concern is the wild card nature of the pies.
I expect Freo would play better on the SCG than Optus. They do not have the outside carry and run to really make it a fortress. Yet. Ironically, Brad Hill would fit them like a glove at the moment
Lastly, head says I want Pies to win, heart is definitely backing Freo.
Have at it.
