Game Day Anzac Day: Rd 6 Collingwood v Essendon, MCG, 25 April, 3.20pm

[No SPIN]

I can't recall last year's Anzac Day game very well, however our second encounter certainly sticks in the mind.

We jumped Essendon in the first quarter before being drawn into a slog, much like yesterday's game. Merret and Draper murdered us in the middle and it wasn't until things got desperate and Crispy took the game on that we managed to find any fluency after quarter time.

As much as the ruck/KPP situation isn't ideal, the bigger issue for me will be our ability to contain scores from stoppages/clearances. I think we're a much better side overall this season, in large part because we've addressed our contested possession/clearance numbers. Interestingly, we're 5th overall this season for clearances (37.4 avg) and Essendon are 10th (35.6 avg) and, for comparison purposes, St Kilda are 12th (35.4 avg).

In rebound 50s, St Kilda is 3rd (44 avg), Essendon 8th (40.6 avg) and we sit in 18th (35.2 avg). I'm surprised that we're as low as 18th, however yesterday's game suggests that it's an accurate reflection of our strengths and weaknesses, especially the first half where St Kilda were able to sling shot effectively from their defensive 50, yet we didn't enjoy the same spring when St Kilda (particularly Crouch) won a clearance that allowed them to go into their forward 50.

The clearance count ended 37 to 31 in St Kilda's favour, with 13 centre clearances to 10 in their favour. Provided we can improve our clearances against Essendon, the disparity in talls may be somewhat nullified as we can put speed on the game. Lose the clearances and it may be difficult to get out of our own half as it'll afford Essendon the luxury of clogging the middle and sitting a tall behind the ball, much like Lyon did yesterday.

Our clearance game has improved markedly, which takes away their strength against us last year.

 

[brysie]

Merret's absence should also help, provided his appeal to the Tribunal isn't successful

 

[unplugged]

Merret's absence should also help, provided his appeal to the Tribunal isn't successful

I'm almost certain he'll get off. Because us.

 

[Masked Magician]

You haven't been following Collingwood long enough if you think Merrett's ban will be upheld at Tribunal.

He will play.

 

[Chrispiesssss]

Here's a little reminder of last years anzac day game.

Looks like 4 of those goals were on Heppell.

 

[unplugged]

Trying to think of some ANZAC medal value that's not Nick Daicos because we all know he'll be under $5.

Thinking about going back to the future and going with Pendles!

 

[brysie]

You haven't been following Collingwood long enough if you think Merrett's ban will be upheld at Tribunal.

He will play.

Hence my qualifier "provided his appeal to the Tribunal isn't successful".

I have no idea how the Tribunal will adjudicate on it. In years past they might have downgraded it, however in the current climate there's a harsher spotlight on sling tackles and potential head injuries.

 

[brysie]

Trying to think of some ANZAC medal value that's not Nick Daicos because we all know he'll be under $5.

Thinking about going back to the future and going with Pendles!

Tom Mitchell averages 31.11 disposals against Essendon - could be another option outside of Pendles

 

[thebaldfacts]

Merret's absence should also help, provided his appeal to the Tribunal isn't successful

Can't see how his appeal will be successful. The 2 suspensions last week failed on appeal, so no way he gets off.

 

[legendstatus]

IQ, Crisp and Elliott so underwhelming so far this year, so some upside to come!


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[domus]

Kelly can’t play. He’s struggling at vfl lvl

Like some other players he might click at the higher level and take a mark or two and the confidence might explode. I recall he looked okay up front in a game against Richmond a couple of years ago.

Surely he has to be tested at some stage and with so many talls out now is the time.

But it's all of no consequence for Fly won't play him.

 

[Dead Eye Didak]

You haven't been following Collingwood long enough if you think Merrett's ban will be upheld at Tribunal.

He will play.

On what grounds would he possibly get off?

 

[Dead Eye Didak]

Trying to think of some ANZAC medal value that's not Nick Daicos because we all know he'll be under $5.

Thinking about going back to the future and going with Pendles!

Naicos will be $1.50 favourite

 

[domus]

I just can't see us getting over Essendon this week. They are playing good footy and have troubled us in recent times even when they were battling in prior rounds.

Draper is the most influential and dangerous ruckman in the game. We simply have too few talls and I think it will catch up with us.


I'm not sure where Fly will play Krueger but if he replaces Murphy he has to play a role he has never played before on one of the biggest stages in our game.

I'm not sure how our forward line will be structured either. Win this and I will be a very happy man and very surprised.

 

[Jen2310]

 

[ElliottsMaggies]

I just can't see us getting over Essendon this week. They are playing good footy and have troubled us in recent times even when they were battling in prior rounds.

Draper is the most influential and dangerous ruckman in the game. We simply have too few talls and I think it will catch up with us.


I'm not sure where Fly will play Krueger but if he replaces Murphy he has to play a role he has never played before on one of the biggest stages in our game.

I'm not sure how our forward line will be structured either. Win this and I will be a very happy man and very surprised.

I don't think Krueger would come in for Murphy, wouldn't Ruscoe be more likely? I'm worried Krueger would get injured running through the banner.. JDG will be back which is good news, hopefully Adams doesn't get rubbed out.

 

[ElliottsMaggies]

Oh sh*t. I hope we appeal. And win.

 

[unplugged]

I'll only be able to stomach this if Merrett doesn't get off.

 

[Soaring Magpie]

Must appeal, 3 in the tackle and no free kick and the stkilda player got straight up.

 

[legendstatus]

Gee we are good at finding ways to lose ??


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[pablo disco bar]

Oh sh*t. I hope we appeal. And win.

Annoying but in a way glad it gives Adams body a rest and now it's time for fin macrae to get a proper go in the middle on Anzac day

 

[danielnajdek]

Watch the Essendon guy get off and Taylor get 1 week.

 

[Masked Magician]

Predictable Twitter outrage got Adams rubbed out.

We are hated and getting targeted on social media.

 

[TheVillageIdiot7]

Nah that’s a consistent application of the rule.

As much as we want Adams to play, neither he nor Merrett will get off.

The action was very dangerous.
Good to see the AFL taking the action seriously.
Punishing on outcome was never a way to stamp it out.

 

[TheVillageIdiot7]

Annoying but in a way glad it gives Adams body a rest and now it's time for fin macrae to get a proper go in the middle on Anzac day

We have a 5 day break between Anzac Day and playing crows in Adelaide.

Was always going to be a tricky two games to get through.
Brisbane away, gather round, Anzac Day and 5 days into crows is a very very difficult stretch.

So I’m ok with Adams missing and bringing a few back for crows. Makes sense from a player management perspective….the fact it’s been taken out of our hands makes the decision easier!!