NAB Cup Semi-Final - Collingwood VS Essendon

[PieLebo87]

Two of the more exciting young sides in this years NAB Cup having shown great glimpses of whats to come. Essendon has restored some renewed energy and faith in its fans with its performances so far, which although hasn't been 100%, has been enough to get them a couple of worthwhile victories. Collingwood, on the other hand, have been winning convincingly with a near full strength side but some may say Richmond was the better side last weekend. Although theres the talk that Collingwood is playing with all its stars, people need to realise we've actually been playing with our usual young list, players like Cloke, Pendlebury, Clarke, Reid and Brown have been great contributors in the pre-season comp, and non are over the age of 21.

This Friday night's game should be a great viewing, and the NAB Cup seems to be getting more and more exciting to watch as the weeks have progressed because of the fact that its 4 Victorian sides left in the last 4 spots. What better viewing is there than Collingwood, Carlton, Essendon and the best footy side in the competition in Geelong?

From a changes perspective, theres been word that Essendon will be resting a few players for this Semi-Final where as Collingwood is only looking at strengthening theirs with the inclusion of Paul Medhurst. I'd personally love to see Steele Sidebottom and Michael Hurley play, which will have Matty Knights extra intrigued. Should be a good game either way, with my prediction being Collingwood by 5 goals.

 

[dave_27]

If Collingwood give us abit of space unlike the lions last week, we will cut them to bits. Too quick for Collingwood, even without Lovett.

I'll go with Essendon by 6 goals.

 

[Schache It Off]

Collingwood by 4 goals.

Playing awesome football.

Think they will win the NAB cup.

 

[mattys123]

Pies by 73 points.

Too skillful, too tough in tackling, and Essendon will try to play defensively without Fletcher and Mcveigh.

MM wasnt happy with the performance against a better side in the tigers, yet we won by 8 goals, watch out dons, embarrassment inc.

 

[fishguts]

Pies by 73 points.

Too skillful, too tough in tackling, and Essendon will try to play defensively without Fletcher and Mcveigh.

MM wasnt happy with the performance against a better side in the tigers, yet we won by 8 goals, watch out dons, embarrassment inc.

Funny, Considering today he said we would be all out attack.

 

[unplugged]

I can see it going either way but I can also see the Pies by a fairly large margin.

 

[Quinz]

Pies should win, but I struggle tipping the NAB Cup every year, so who knows?

Collingwood have been fielding very strong sides so far.

 

[mattys123]

Funny, Considering today he said we would be all out attack.

Yeah that surprised me, guess Knights doesnt want to win. And I mean that in a good way, meaning he wants to develop his game style for round 1, even if it means losing.

We do struggle against pacy sides, so I'll revise my tip;

Pies by 22.

 

[wolfman5]

blowout... essendon by 10

 

[jsd09]

ess by 10 points

 

[DaVe86]

Match Preview as posted on team boards....kind of a little outdated now teams have come out...but please read anyway.


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Although this has perhaps been the most boring NAB cup I have ever witnessed, the fact remains that 4 of Victoria’s biggest teams are into the 3rd round and there is the potential for a very exciting fortnight of football ahead.

It has been a long time since Essendon and Collingwood have squared up in any form of final. If my memory serves me correctly it has not been since 1990. Despite on the surface this appears yet another pre-season game with not a lot on the line, I highly doubt these 2 clubs could possibly play a game of football without the requisite feeling attached. Plus, there is a spot in the final up for grabs and the incentive of financial reward to take into account.


Going purely by home and away form, Collingwood and Essendon is always an unpredictable battle. I only have statistics to 2004, but it is very even in terms of results over the last 4 years. Most recently in 2008, Collingwood absolutely smashed Essendon on ANZAC day in round 6. Medhurst was the destroyer kicking 6, and Pendlebury racked up 33 disposals. But Essendon dealt Collingwood an equally embarrassing defeat in round 17 with Jobe Watson amassing 41 disposals and Welsh kicking 4 goals tagging Pendlebury.


But, this is purely a pre-season match, so different considerations need to be made. First and foremost, the relative strength of the respective line-ups is always a decisive factor.



The squads

So far, I think Collingwood has fielded as close to its full strength line-up as possible. This week will be no exception. In fact…Medhurst and Dick may return to the lineup, whilst Rusling will also push for senior selection as he battles to gain senior selection for Round 1. Collingwood’s list is in remarkably strong shape fitness wise, with competition for senior spots as hot as ever. However the balance has not been found yet, and there are many spots up for grabs.

Essendon has also fielded a relatively strong side. David Hille returned last week and made immediate impact on a younger Brisbane side. His 15 disposals and 19 hitouts were a massive influence, to go with a goal from 4 scoring shots. Alwyn Davey also played a half of football…his first since incurring a knee injury in round 5 last year. Missing from the lineup is Brent Stanton who looks ready to resume this week. Houli also missed last weeks game. Winderlich returned for the Bombers last week and was very impressive. His run was great and he won 24 disposals in his return game.

However, Knights has already indicated he will rest key players this week. In particular, both Fletcher and Lovett will not play. The word is that Hurley and Pears may come into the defence. This should be exciting news for Bombers fans who will get a look at their future defensive spine for the next 10 years. Hurley, Essendon’s first pick in the 08 draft may debut after recovering from gall bladder surgery.

There has been speculation that Essendon may also rest Matthew Lloyd. No doubt the Essendon forward line is looking top heavy with 4 talls up there. Lucas was unproductive last week but was used sparingly. Gumbleton and Neagle have impressed without setting the world on fire. There is no doubt Essendon are desperately keen to get gametime into these 2. 2nd round pick Zaharakis may also be in contention to return after a solid VFL performance on the weekend.

Mark McVeigh will also be out of this game after suffering an ankle injury that will keep him out until Round 1. This means Essendon could be potentially fielding their future spine on Friday night. Though exciting for Bombers fans, it should be exploited by a more seasoned Collingwood lineup.


The way Collingwood lines up will be very intriguing. So far, the selection panel have elected to play its senior players and rotate the rookies. Last week, Pies fans were treated by getting a look at its 2nd round draft pick Dayne Beams who notched up 17 possessions. McCarthy and Macaffer also impressed early but were both subbed in the 2nd half. Dawes and Stanley were omitted from the team but played very solid games in the VFL match (Dawes kicking 5 goals).

Collingwood fans are still desperately awaiting the debut of prized pick Steele Sidebottom. There has been little word about when Steele will play, but he was also solid in the VFL match and took 6 strong tackles. Blake Caracella has said he has been ‘there-abouts and is in contention to play this week’. As mentioned, Medhurst, Dick and Rusling may return. I doubt Rocca will be ready. The focus with Rocca will be round 1. Macaffer suffered headaches last week and was forced to be substituted after a very impressive opening quarter. I am hoping he retains his spot.



My preference for the Collingwood lineup this week would be:

In: Medhurst, Sidebottom
Out: Cox, Anthony

I’d also like to drop out Leigh Brown and bring in Goldsack. I don’t know whether Mick will look to play a few more kids and rotate a few others. I’d be all for that. Would love to see Stanley, Rusling, Dick and Barham come into the side. But I’d be equally unhappy to see McCarthy, Macaffer and co out.


The Zoning issue

This was a factor in both sides Round 2 games on the weekend. Collingwood employed a very big zone against Richmond. At times, there was not 1 Collingwood player in the forward half of the ground. This made for very frustrating viewing, but it was successful in limited the Tigers run.

Considering Essendon is also a very attacking team and looks to set up a lot of play off half-back, Collingwood may also use this style of game again. Although I think it may have different results.

Richmond has a quick midfield with star players in it. Deledio and Foley tear you up. However it lacks a lot of run out of defence. Raines is the only one who really takes the game on. McMahon and Bowden sit behind the play and mop up.

Essendon on the other hand sit Dempsey behind the ball, along with guys like Dyson, Lovett, Winderlich and Myers. In the middle however, McVeigh, Stanton and Watson are not overly quick but are very good clearance players. More run coming out of defence may have a different impact on Collingwood's defensive setup. Though Brisbane did flood last week against the Dons and it was successful in slowing them down to an extent.

I do think however that Collingwood will continue this defensive style game. The reason is that the Magpies are very adamant about winning this cup and I think they will employ any strategy to see it through. The other reason is that because there is no backwards kicking and the required distance for a mark been 20 metres, the rules make zoning particularly tempting. The reason being that it forces teams to look laterally and retain possession as opposed to bombing it long to opposition numbers. As we know, if teams do this in the NAB, it will be called play on which brings the ball back into play.


Essendon have clearly said that they will not employ any defensive tactics such as zoning and will play attacking footy through the corridor. Knights has been adamant that his focus is round 1, and not the NAB cup. This means that he may be willing to lose if it means his side plays with flair in a gamestyle that will pay dividends in round 1.


The Matchups.

As has been the case in my previous 2 previews, I will not go into significant depth with the matchups. Considering the heavy rotations and the uncertain structures of the 2 sides, it is not worthwhile.

I think we will see Cook go to Stanton again if he plays. Cook is clearly the Magpies preferred option as a tagger at the moment and did a great job on Stanton on ANZAC day.

As a Collingwood fan, I would love to see the Magpies put some attention on Jobe Watson. I think realistically we will go head to head with him and back our player to be more damaging with the ball in hand. However, Watson is in flying form early in 09, and he did get 41 touches against the Magpies last time.

Clearance players love Collingwood. They always do well. Foley last week won the ball 30 times despite been tagged. Although Collingwood is good at the stoppages, they give far too much of the ball to opposition midfields.


I think the defensive matchups will be varied. Nathan Brown may be tried on a number of opponents. He seems ideally suited to Neagle, but I would love to give him the big test on Lucas or Lloyd if they play. But I think Presti will get the job on Lloyd and Harry O’Brien the job on Lucas as has been the norm in the past. Brown on Neagle seems the matchup.

The word is that Goldsack is looking in good nick and could be in contention this week. I think he would be a fantastic matchup for Gumbleton who is a versatile tall and may exploit. Otherwise I would like to pursue the experiment with Reid in defence, perhaps on Gumbleton. 2 very young players picked up first round in the same draft. Would be exciting. However I think after Reid’s game last week that he will stay forward. That said, if Rusling and Medhurst and Dawes are back, then Reid may be forced into defence.


I think Knights will start Ryder on Cloke. With no Fletcher, Ryder will amazingly be the more experienced defender down there alongside the likes of Hurley, Danniher and Pears.

Essendon will struggle to find the matchups for Didak and Davis. This is where I think the Magpies will always exploit Essendon, whilst Essendon’s strength is its talls.


The ruck matchup will be intriguing. Hille I think is one of those ruckmen that Josh Fraser will always struggle against. Fraser is intimidated by Hille’s size. However Fraser is looking fitter than ever and has had a better pre-season than Hille who had a minor setback with his sting-ray incident. Collingwood’s other ruckman Cameron Wood was very ordinary against Richmond. He only won 7 hitouts and butchered the ball everytime he got it. This was disappointing because he played a great game against West Coast where he looked to really be hitting his straps.

Wood may struggle to hold his spot as Collingwood’s backup Chris Bryan had an apparently ‘career best game’ in the VFL practice match according to Gavin Brown. Bryan may also be a better physical matchup for Hille, although I think Hille’s superior height and ruck skills will expose Bryan. I’d persist with Wood because I think he’ll compete against Hille in the ruck contests better. Essendon’s backup ruckman Bellchambers has been OK but Collingwood may look to really expose him.



The wrap-up

I think it will be on. Considering the winner could meet either Carlton or Geelong, there is plenty at stake, including early season confidence and bragging rights. I for one will be vocally supporting the Pies on Friday night and I will be quietly hoping for a more attractive game.

Again, as I said last week, I think Collingwood is more serious about the win than Essendon, and that will most likely carry them over the line. Essendon will put up a valiant fight but will probably be a few star players short.

I think we’ll see the Pies get up by around 20 points. I think expect high rotations and a pretty messy game…but there should be some good contests around the ground if the Bombers attempt to take the game on.


On a side note, Blake Caracella will coach the Pies this week whilst Malthouse continues to watch from the sidelines.

DaVe86 out


By David Natoli
aka DaVe86



Feel free to mock and discuss!

 

[Rabbit of Caerbannog]

No Fraser for Collingwood. Hille vs. Wood/Bryan? Hille may just win this match by himself.

 

[Burzum]

Pies by 40+

Happy to see Hurley named in the squad.

 

[theboxmike]

If that's true about Collingwoods ruckmen....Hille might have a field day

Though i expect Pies to beat us by 30+ points

 

[Lockyer24]

Pies by 4 goals. Should be too good in the middle and up forward Cloke will have a big night.

 

[Hodgepodgey]

If Hille takes advantage in the ruck, and Essdons midfield is on the same wave length, Essondon could could win this match..They have the forward line to kick a lot of goals as well.

 

[Jem]

It's the preseason so you never really know how either team is going to play this one but you have to like the pies after the last couple of weeks.

 

[wolfman5]

can'not wait too see hurleys long left boot in action... this guy has been something special and will be.... hopefully he plays threw the year

 

[TubbsFarquhar]

It's the preseason so you never really know how either team is going to play this one but you have to like the pies after the last couple of weeks.

What he said.

 

[mickelboy182]

Hurley will be a gun!

 

[smiddaz123]

Sidebottom is in by the sounds of it.

 

[buzzbuzz]

Any radio stations doing legitimate pre-match previews?

 

[handy point]

Sidebottom is in by the sounds of it.

He may be a sub, as he's not coming up on the AFL.com team chart.

 

[handy point]

He's listed now, but not on the formation layout. hmmm

Who was dropped then?

 

[Rack Watts]

Subtitles hmmm..