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

[Hump 17]

The outcome of this game I beleive wont really show us were both teams are at. The Saints have Riewoldt and Gram both returning from lengthy lay offs and are no where near their best .Both players will both be far better come finals time. Also the shorter break returning from the rock hard GABBA may have left the players a bit sore. What effect this has on a side is debatable but theres no doubting its less than ideal preparation.

Collingwood have Travis Cloke and Maxwell missing who both play very important roles at Collingwood and will be sorely missed. It could also be said that Collingwood are yet to settle on there best structure. Of course I want to win but I wouldnt be devastated if we didnt.

 

[Thommo 42]

Don't think the result means much more than 4 points. People are just cherry picking results anyway in regards to results.

They beat us in the 2008 finals when we came off a trip to Adelaide in the first week of finals and had suspended Didak and Shaw. We beat them both times that season in the H&A.

In 2009 they ran into us when our reserves were playing, we even got pumped by Carlton during that period. Then in the finals in 2009, Pendlebury broke his leg in the first minute of the game.

If we lose it doesn't mean we can't win come finals time at all, it just means we don't bank 4 points. In fact, last time we won the flag we lost all 4 of our H&A games to the 'heavyweights' including an absolute pumping from Hawthorn late in the year. We then beat the Bombers twice when it mattered.

No point in pumping Geelong and the Saints when it doesn't matter like we did in 08, these 3 sides are all locked in for Top 4 and September will be the test and inis regard, Geelong are the only team with the runs on the board (+Hawthorn)

 

[Bollox]

Extremely important for the Pies as a club this game.
Not so important for Saints.

Pies NEED cred and have proven to be big game bunnies...if they want to be thought of as a true contender then beating quality is a must.

Eddie wouldnt say it but i'm guessing he'll have a quiet word in ears. Pies fans will try to downplay it beforehand because they dont expect to win...but their club truly needs this one and so do they. Who the hell wants to be thought of as 3rd or 4th best forever.

 

[Falchoon]

Call me Blighty but I'll be playing golf

 

[Pie eyed]

Extremely important for the Pies as a club this game.
Not so important for Saints.

Pies NEED cred and have proven to be big game bunnies...if they want to be thought of as a true contender then beating quality is a must.

Eddie wouldnt say it but i'm guessing he'll have a quiet word in ears. Pies fans will try to downplay it beforehand because they dont expect to win...but their club truly needs this one and so do they. Who the hell wants to be thought of as 3rd or 4th best forever.

You've read this thread?

 

[Furn]

Its only going to be a meaningful result if either team gets smashed.

If Collingwood get smashed thne it could really hurt their believe that they can go all the way, if its the other way around they will believe they are hte real deal and the Saints will start to have some doubts.

If its pretty close either way then it doesnt really mean that much.

 

[Pie eyed]

The outcome of this game I beleive wont really show us were both teams are at. The Saints have Riewoldt and Gram both returning from lengthy lay offs and are no where near their best .Both players will both be far better come finals time. Also the shorter break returning from the rock hard GABBA may have left the players a bit sore. What effect this has on a side is debatable but theres no doubting its less than ideal preparation.

Collingwood have Travis Cloke and Maxwell missing who both play very important roles at Collingwood and will be sorely missed. It could also be said that Collingwood are yet to settle on there best structure. Of course I want to win but I wouldnt be devastated if we didnt.

Of the six sides to have played Brisvegas at the Gabba this year 3 have won and three have lost the next match.
The three which won are in the top 5.

I don't think it should be an issue.

 

[Bollox]

You've read this thread?

No.
I just assumed its full of the usual Saints and Pies dollies clashing swords at the trough face.

A quick glace above tho suggests a few fans are being a bit more solemn and realistic. Funny how that happens in here when the game actually comes around.

Lucky for the Pies they have Zac Dawson playing for them this weekend....Pies fans think they might be a KPF away from being a prem team..but Saints are a KPB away from being one too. They havent lost games off the back of it...but they would truly love to be able to free up Sam Fisher again to play his natural game. He's an absolute gun and has been doing everything in the absence of a decent KPB. Looks like he's been sacrificing his natural game to do it and being ruined by their current setup. If freed up i cant see anyone beating them other than Geelong.

I maintain the Pies are more than the odd gun off being a true flag winning mob...both Geelong and Saints truly are great sides and have an extra gear.

 

[Pie eyed]

No.
I just assumed its full of the usual Saints and Pies dollies clashing swords at the trough face.

A quick glace above tho suggests a few fans are being a bit more solemn and realistic. Funny how that happens in here when the game actually comes around.

Lucky for the Pies they have Zac Dawson playing for them this weekend....Pies fans think they might be a KPF away from being a prem team..but Saints are a KPB away from being one too. They havent lost games off the back of it...but they would truly love to be able to free up Sam Fisher again to play his natural game. He's an absolute gun and has been doing everything in the absence of a decent KPB. Looks like he's been sacrificing his natural game to do it and being ruined by their current setup. If freed up i cant see anyone beating them other than Geelong.

I maintain the Pies are more than the odd gun off being a true flag winning mob...both Geelong and Saints truly are great sides and have an extra gear.

You'll probably find that most of the contentious and heated Pie/Saint discussions in recent years are over off-field matters.
Generally I find that the vast majority are pretty realistic about the actual footy.

 

[Duskfire]

They still need to keep winning games (as does Geelong.) The last thing anyone in that top 4 bracket wants is for Dockers to make top 2 and someone playing them at subacio first week.

 

[PieLebo87]

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.

Would making it 2/8 really make a difference? I can imagine Collingwood winning, and Geelong and St Kilda supporters still writing it off with some sort of excuse, and Collingwood still not being seen as equal with the top 2, so how does it matter?

Its a lose/lose situation for the Maggies.

Lose - We're 'pretenders'.

Win - 'They've still lost 8 of the 10 against these two sides!'

 

[stfan]

Saints would like to win....but more important is playing both Roo and Gram into some match fitness and form....as bothy are vital to us having the best possible finals team.

Ditto with Zac being played. Lyon wants him to recaptutre his best form of 2009 and is being perservered with. On form and the Pies forward structure if you went horses for courses he would not be being played.

Patto and Big Ben are also battling for that No 2 ruckspot.

 

[Magpie Since 1986]

Matters more to Collingwood than St Kilda.

Collingwood need to either win or at least run St Kilda very close (i.e < 10 point margin and actually in the game during red time of the last quarter).

If St Kilda do it comfortably, Collingwood lose any credibility as a contender.

 

[bulletproof]

St Kilda know the importance of winning and making it a habit. It is what makes them a fearsome side, they'll win and win very easily. Bigger, stronger better, in body and mind.

 

[Amber Guzzler]

They still need to keep winning games (as does Geelong.) The last thing anyone in that top 4 bracket wants is for Dockers to make top 2 and someone playing them at subacio first week.

It wouldn't worry us. In fact, I'd prefer to play them there in the first week and either Geelong or St Kilda at the G.

 

[jimmy35]

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 .

I'd agree with this.

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

Need to win for mental fortitude, not for ladder position.

Everyone had Collingwood top 4 even allowing for losses to St.Kilda, Geelong and Hawthorn.

They need to win to know they CAN win. Otherwise, they're wasting their time in finals.

edit: Having said all that, as was said eariler, even if Collingwood wins, there'll be some excuse from St.Kilda and Geelong supporters as to why, so it probably doesn't matter all that much.

 

[rose jam]

2 v 3 should have the footy world pumping for this match, but since it's a St.Kilda game will ensure a dour boring slugfest soccer style.
Glad I go for the Pies so it keeps the interest up.

 

[Ricmel]

The 4 points probably are not critical for either side.

Bragging rights? - always fun for supporters.

Pies - probably would like to have the confidence of having beaten a Geelong or StKilda.

Saints - probably as long as they get another injury free game into Roo and Gram will be reasonably happy.

 

[The Fireman]

2 v 3 should have the footy world pumping for this match, but since it's a St.Kilda game will ensure a dour boring slugfest soccer style.
Glad I go for the Pies so it keeps the interest up.

Here's hoping we bore you senseless

 

[Hump 17]

Of the six sides to have played Brisvegas at the Gabba this year 3 have won and three have lost the next match.
The three which won are in the top 5.

I don't think it should be an issue.

Players having to wear sneakers to train the Tuesday after a game due to foot soreness isnt ideal. I havnt looked but of those games that you mentioned how many have been between 2nd and 3rd? Fair enough if StKilda were coming back on a short break and playing West Coast.

 

[The Spike]

The pies have a chance to knock off the saints in this game.

Names on paper don't mean everyone is playing at their best. Riewoldt & Gram are two vital players to the saints structure and play. Both a way underdone. Each has just had one game each from long break. Do not expect these players to play their usual dominating roles for a few more weeks at least. Therefore, others will have to take up the slack....and in a pressure game like this, that won't be easy.....

Still think the saints will win, but not by much...

 

[Kirby]

Its only going to be a meaningful result if either team gets smashed.

If Collingwood get smashed thne it could really hurt their believe that they can go all the way, if its the other way around they will believe they are hte real deal and the Saints will start to have some doubts.

If its pretty close either way then it doesnt really mean that much.

I believe that this is the correct answer.

 

[DaVe86]

I want to win. And I think it is important for us to win.


But there are bigger things on our plate right now. This is not the be all or end all for us, as I said in my weekly match preview (which can be found in the gameday thread....shameless plug)


But there will be a few consequences with this result.

If we go out and kick less than 6 goals again, that will be devastating and prove that we simply have no idea to break through the Saints defence. If we lose trying to open the game up...then I can live with that because we need to find ways to score, and better to learn something in the H&A season than in finals.

We need to kick goals, and we need to be competitive. Another 30 point margin is not going to cut it...even if we are competitive for 3 quarters.


I think we have the Saints at the right time. Roo is not fully fit yet, and he is getting less game time....so that is going to affect the Saints a bit. They have to re-adjust to life with him in the team again...which could take another week or so. They are coming back from a hard Gabba, where they were far from impressive in the first half. They are also missing Baker who would be an essential player on one of our small forwards...and Kosi has doubt over him, whilst Gram is still getting match fitness.





The result of this game will determine how we going about the rest of the year.

If we win, we should have a crack at first spot. That will mean we get either Freo or Doggies round 1, each who we are a better chance against than Geelong or Saints.

That means we won't go resting up players because our focus will be top spot.



If we lose, top spot is out of the question. We'll be 6 points off it, and the Saints won't lose more than 2 on the run home...and we still have Geelong.

But 3rd or 4th looks pretty secure for us right now.

So if we lose, we may as well rest up some players over the next few weeks and get them right for finals. We won't drop out of the top 4, but we won't make top.

 

[Gone Critical]

Need to win for mental fortitude, not for ladder position.

Everyone had Collingwood top 4 even allowing for losses to St.Kilda, Geelong and Hawthorn.

They need to win to know they CAN win. Otherwise, they're wasting their time in finals.

edit: Having said all that, as was said eariler, even if Collingwood wins, there'll be some excuse from St.Kilda and Geelong supporters as to why, so it probably doesn't matter all that much.

Agree with your 1st statements. A loss to Collingwood here and against Geelong would mean success in Sept is unlikely. There are not many if any examples of a team from 3rd posi who was unable to beat the top 2 during the year reversing that in Sept. History is a good teacher.

Dont see how it will effect things if anyones supporters make excuses. No one from BF (despites some web egos) will influence these events.