- Mar 16, 2014
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- AFL Club
- Collingwood
The earth is hard, but the ox is patient -- or something similar that Malthouse once said. I am not an ox, I am not patient, but finally the season is on the horizon. We kick off our season against Geelong, reigning premiers, Henry-thieves, perennial finalists, who impossibly, unbelievably, ridiculously, have been allowed to refresh their list by some idiotic AFL rules and some smart planning and skullduggery.
The Might Magpies
Collingwood enter the season with great hope after the victories of last year, but with some downers too. For starters, there's the suspension of Ginnivan, brought about by some arseh*le who thought it was okay to film inside a toilet cubicle. The injury to Lipinski which might have him out for 6-12 weeks. The potential suspension of DeGoey, who was looking like the Hulk in the centre, bursting through the flimsy tackes of our opponents. All of these hurt, let's face it. Fingers crossed that the outcomes are better than they appear. There's a lot at stake for Collingwood, who has a tough start to the year.
The Feral Cats
I don't hate the cats, mostly because I remember the neverenging tragedy that was their 1980s and 1990s teams. There was a time when they never appeared likely to win. Frankly, we pitied them in the way we pity the Saints. Things have changed but I'm more curious than full of hatred. Will they ever age out? Will we see a drop-off in the Geelong champions? Every year I think they're too old and every year they surprise me. Some astute recruitment and they will again be back in the hunt this year. Their practice match against Brisbane wasn't impressive but Scott and their football department will take a similar approach to last year -- to have them ready for finals. This might just mean we could get the jump on them.
Talking points
1. Will we see any aging from the Geelong stars, and will their recruits fill the gaps?
2. Will the Collingwood midfield get on top? With our new setup, boasting Mitchell, N. Daicos, DeGoey (if he plays), Adams, and a few others rotating through, our midfield is as deep as any. Can we get on top? And will our rucks, solid but unspectacular so far, give them the service they deserve? Will Geelong's ruck brigade, equally unspectacular, even the contest?
3. Can Collingwood tighten its defence? We've been too easy to score against, pushing hard up but being vulnerable out the back. Can B Frampton stand up?
4. Will our new forward line prove to be more destructive, as it has promised? McStay and Hill look likely types. Our ball movement is kamikaze in the best sense.
The Washup
It's a bit of an unknown for the start of the year. Teams are at different stages of preparation. New recruits are untested. Geelong are the reigning premiers and there are as many questions around our team as theirs. Our early preparation has looked good. They have looked sluggish and missing a few stars. They're a champion team, we're a mix of champions and youth full of potential. Expect a to-and-fro battle, before they pull away at the last. If De Goey plays he might make all the difference, but my reading is he'll get a week, and that will be the difference.
Geelong by 7 points in a cut-and-thrust affair, much to my chagrin.
The Might Magpies
Collingwood enter the season with great hope after the victories of last year, but with some downers too. For starters, there's the suspension of Ginnivan, brought about by some arseh*le who thought it was okay to film inside a toilet cubicle. The injury to Lipinski which might have him out for 6-12 weeks. The potential suspension of DeGoey, who was looking like the Hulk in the centre, bursting through the flimsy tackes of our opponents. All of these hurt, let's face it. Fingers crossed that the outcomes are better than they appear. There's a lot at stake for Collingwood, who has a tough start to the year.
The Feral Cats
I don't hate the cats, mostly because I remember the neverenging tragedy that was their 1980s and 1990s teams. There was a time when they never appeared likely to win. Frankly, we pitied them in the way we pity the Saints. Things have changed but I'm more curious than full of hatred. Will they ever age out? Will we see a drop-off in the Geelong champions? Every year I think they're too old and every year they surprise me. Some astute recruitment and they will again be back in the hunt this year. Their practice match against Brisbane wasn't impressive but Scott and their football department will take a similar approach to last year -- to have them ready for finals. This might just mean we could get the jump on them.
Talking points
1. Will we see any aging from the Geelong stars, and will their recruits fill the gaps?
2. Will the Collingwood midfield get on top? With our new setup, boasting Mitchell, N. Daicos, DeGoey (if he plays), Adams, and a few others rotating through, our midfield is as deep as any. Can we get on top? And will our rucks, solid but unspectacular so far, give them the service they deserve? Will Geelong's ruck brigade, equally unspectacular, even the contest?
3. Can Collingwood tighten its defence? We've been too easy to score against, pushing hard up but being vulnerable out the back. Can B Frampton stand up?
4. Will our new forward line prove to be more destructive, as it has promised? McStay and Hill look likely types. Our ball movement is kamikaze in the best sense.
The Washup
It's a bit of an unknown for the start of the year. Teams are at different stages of preparation. New recruits are untested. Geelong are the reigning premiers and there are as many questions around our team as theirs. Our early preparation has looked good. They have looked sluggish and missing a few stars. They're a champion team, we're a mix of champions and youth full of potential. Expect a to-and-fro battle, before they pull away at the last. If De Goey plays he might make all the difference, but my reading is he'll get a week, and that will be the difference.
Geelong by 7 points in a cut-and-thrust affair, much to my chagrin.
carry on.
