Collingwood v St Kilda - crunch match or does it really matter?

[Gavin Excell]

Personally I thought this was a huge match for Collingwoods credibility.

Have won 1 of last 8 v Geelong and St kilda and thought that Pies would need to win to get some confidence leading into finals.

However there's a view it doesn't really matter. Both clubs have probably locked in top 4 spot so anything now is just shadow boxing till the finals.

 

[Archangel]

Personally I thought this was a huge match for Collingwoods credibility.

Have won 1 of last 8 v Geelong and St kilda and thought that Pies would need to win to get some confidence leading into finals.

However there's a view it doesn't really matter. Both clubs have probably locked in top 4 spot so anything now is just shadow boxing till the finals.

It matters - Collingwood have to win

 

[PUSSIES_07_FLAG]

Collingwood will be crunched.

 

[Goldencats]

Not important for the Saints, but without doubt massive for the Pies, it's their biggest game of the year to date, if they lose this one they will continue to doubt themselves that they can match it with the Saints and us, don't have to be Einstein to work that out, they have been beating up on pretty average sides lately so that will all be put into perspective if they lose this one, I can see all the doubters criticizing them if they go down

 

[Cap]

couldn't care less about who they have beaten in the past or their record v St kilda and Geelong

it should be a cracker of a game, Collingwoods attacking game v St Kildas...um marginally defensive one but with St Nick back

can't wait

 

[Whiskers]

Crunch match for Collingwood

They need belief

 

[isen river]

The main thing for the pies is that they don't get blown away. Confidence in knowing that they can match it with either the saints or cats will be important for their finals mindset, more so than the 4 points. Taking their opportunities will be the key.

 

[robertg22]

Our recent record against the two benchmark teams of the comp has been poor. It would be very nice to get a win under our belt against one of them leading up towards finals just to instill some confidence that we can indeed match it with them when it counts.
I think it matters to us much more than it does to St Kilda, given they beat Geelong a few weeks back so they know they've got what it takes - we just haven't taken one of the big boys down .... yet

 

[Rush Stand]

I'd like to beat St Kilda, but the result won't matter come finals time. The side can still be improved with Cloke, Maxwell, a fit and inform Medhurst and possibly Dick. If Collingwood matches St Kilda in general play but loses on the scoreboard, there will be no confidence lost believe me. Insiders at the club believe the gap has been closed, and its just a matter of converting now where it counts.

 

[The Fireman]

It matters to me..it matters to all Sainters...It matters to anyone who plays them..it matters to the rest of Victoria....but in reality the finals will be the real matter.
I just hope that we get the honors of ejecting them this year.

A win this week will cement our spot in the top 2 and alleviate a few fears for the rest of us.

 

[Goldencats]

I'd like to beat St Kilda, but the result won't matter come finals time. The side can still be improved with Cloke, Maxwell, a fit and inform Medhurst and possibly Dick. If Collingwood matches St Kilda in general play but loses on the scoreboard, there will be no confidence lost believe me. Insiders at the club believe the gap has been closed, and its just a matter of converting now where it counts.

Yes it won't matter come finals time but surely a win is vital for the Pies to get the belief they can beat the best, I don't think people can say the gap is closing until they beat the top 2, it's all well and good beating up on average teams below them on the ladder, but the best teams win the big games

 

[Smoky]

It obviously matters to Geelong fans???

 

[dan warna]

Important for both sides.

St Kilda have a psychological edge of the blues and pies up until this year in recent years.

the blues over ran the saints earlier in the year and the pies did everything right against us except kick goals.

If the saints can get a convincing 4 to 5 plus goal win, it will knock the pies down a bit further, coming into the finals, if the pies win or lose by less than 2 goals they'll go into the finals far more confidence.

right now thats what they need against the top 2.

Saints need to keep their confidence riding high I believe because our window is open for 1 maybe 2 seasons more.

 

[Didak2Dawes]

We need to win but i dont think we will.

 

[buzzbuzz]

I think it's ridiculous for Collingwood supporters to play this match down. It's just excuse-making. We really do need to win.

 

[Gone Critical]

Match is vital to Collingwood in regard to the possibility of contending for the flag this year. Thats where our aim is although we will have to improve a lot to achieve it.

We need a win at a minimum in this game or the return match v Geelong to be a realistic flag threat. We would be v unlikely to reverse results in the finals if we have lost 4 matches in 2010 to Cats/Saints.

A loss for StKilda and the consequent probable drop out of the top 2 for Saints would be less of an issue. It would signal Collingwood as legitimate in their flag aspirations so make the Saints quest for the flag harder to achieve

So vital for the Magpies and somewhat important for the Saints in regard to flag hopes

 

[Pie eyed]

It matters to me..it matters to all Sainters...It matters to anyone who plays them..it matters to the rest of Victoria....but in reality the finals will be the real matter.
I just hope that we get the honors of ejecting them this year.

A win this week will cement our spot in the top 2 and alleviate a few fears for the rest of us.

Shit can't believe I'm writing this, but good post and on the money.

I think it matters a great deal to the supporters of both clubs, the players as individuals and the coaches.

I don't think a win or loss matters for the actual sides chances for the rest of the year though, but Collingwood have more to lose re: ladder position.

The margin is the key. A blow out either way could have have unwanted effects win or lose, or none at all.

The psychology of the sides is extremely important and this is where the Saint have the jump on the Pies. A big win can only strengthen the Saints self belief and they can absorb a loss better because they are mentally tougher as a unit.

The Pies are more exposed to a bit of self doubt depending on the result or a little overconfidence.

 

[The Fireman]

Of course you can believe it Pie..being honest every now and then can be an uplifting experience..you may make a habit of it.

PS .. very important game.

 

[rose jam]

Not sure where I sit with this. Emotionally it would great to win, but really just want the list healthy and in form but week one finals with the first final a shot at the rest week playing at the 'G. It's still round 16. Plenty of time for form to dip or peak.

 

[Pie eyed]

Of course you can believe it Pie..being honest every now and then can be an uplifting experience..you may make a habit of it.

PS .. very important game.

Should be a cracker.

 

[FuManchu]

Nothing has changed enough to suggest we have closed the gap. We still get blown away by the very best in 30 mins of football. Structurally we still are a key forward away from matching the top 2, Cloke being out doesnt help, if for no other reason that his linking up play will be missed. The only thing that may have changed is Jolly getting more time in the ruck. Should be an interesting game.

 

[mattys123]

Last week I would have said this game is absolutely crucial to the Pies chances of winning the flag, but events of the last week have changed the situation somewhat.

Travis Cloke being suspended, and Nick Maxwell not returning after a 5th week out with a calf injury really means the pies have some what of an "excuse" to lose this game now.

No matter what opposition supporters say, stats and output charts shows that Clokes 2010 season after 15 rounds is very comparable to his 2007 Copeland Trophy winning season after 15 rounds.

And well, Maxwell is our captain, and anyone who saw the 1st quarter of Port vs the Pies saw how much we miss his steadying influence back there.

I know the pies have failed to beat the "big 2" over the past few years, but with Goddard returning also, this game all of a sudden is more of a must win for StKilda then Collingwood, simply based on the 22 players selected, and the improvement from outside the 22 that both sides have before September arrives.

I expect, that no matter what happens on Saturday, Collingwood will play better against Geelong in Round 19 then StKilda this week, if we have Maxwell and Cloke in the side that is.

 

[Zeke]

Matters more to us than it does to them.

Not sure that's a good thing or not.

 

[The Fireman]

Should be a cracker.

I'm going to miss it..will have to rely on text messages...not happy..will be missing out on a real ripper...shame to see some of your fellow supporters making excuses already but I'm sure they will be in the minority.

 

[Zagg]

Matters more to us than it does to them.

Not sure that's a good thing or not.

You reckon? Most people on this thread seem to think differently. If the Pies win they've proven they can finally beat the Saints, if they lose they go into September with doubt in the back of their minds. If the Saints lose they might be a bit damaged, but at least they've already proven this season that they can beat the Pies (& Cats for that matter).

I think it matters an awful lot to both teams. There's almost no doubt in my mind that the teams hate each other, and there's no love lost between the fans.