JuniorB
Norm Smith Medallist
As with Port Adelaide last night, a number of Adelaide players racked up big disposal numbers without being particularly influential.Two quarters of quality football were all that Collingwood needed to vanquish Adelaide by 42 points at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Magpies had even contributors in possessions and goals, which made it very difficult to determine who starred on the day. Every player shared the load at different stages to keep the team ahead of the game when a response was required at times where the Crows closed the gap and threatened to take control of the contest. The Woods were not able to dominate clearances nor take as many marks as they would've liked, but they were able to take the game on by playing on with imperfection to produce a perfect outcome that the Crows could not replicate themselves. This game did not reach lofty heights, as there were lengthy periods in certain quarters where goals were hard to come by, while half of the game had entertaining footy which was largely on Collingwood's terms and ultimately determined the outcome of the match.
Collingwood won their statistical categories from sources such as handballs by +14 (183 - 169), contested possessions were won by +3 (139 - 136), intercept possessions had a differential of +8 (72 - 64), +8 for tackles (61 - 53), Contested Marks went Collingwood's way by +1 (3 - 2), while Inside 50s were up by +3 (54 - 51), and Marks Inside 50 won narrowly by +1 (9 - 8). Adelaide won most of the key indicators throughout the afternoon with advantages in disposals by +5 (389 - 384), kicks were won by +19 (220 - 201), +22 for uncontested possessions (252 - 230), while hit-outs had an advantage of +3 (33 - 30), clearances were up by +7 (36 - 29), with centre clearances won by +1 (12 - 11), and stoppage clearances had a margin of +6 (24 - 18). Marks went Adelaide's way by +30 (102 - 72), with uncontested marks won by +31 (100 - 69), while Tackles Inside 50 had a differential of +5 (16 - 11).
Jack Crisp (26 disposals @ 65%, 438 metres gained, 7 contested possessions, 19 uncontested possessions, 4 intercept possessions, 14 kicks, 12 handballs, 6 marks, 10 tackles, 2 Tackles Inside 50, 1 goal assist, 5 score involvements, 4 clearances, 3 stoppage clearances & 5 Inside 50s) rediscovered form and consistency, applied excellent tackling pressure and linked up scoring chains to be the driving force in Collingwood's midfield where teammates found it challenging to win possession from the middle of the ground at centre bounces and stoppages.
Josh Daicos (25 disposals @ 64%, 454 metres gained, 4 contested possessions, 21 uncontested possessions, 2 intercept possessions, 10 kicks, 15 handballs, 5 marks, 6 tackles, 3 score involvements & 5 Inside 50s) contributed nicely to the team's ball movement on the wing by keeping his width as an outlet where teammates could link up kicks or handpasses with him. Daicos also proved he could operate defensively with adequate tackles when it was his turn to put pressure on opponents.
Patrick Lipinski (24 disposals @ 67%, 396 metres gained, 8 contested possessions, 16 uncontested possessions, 2 intercept possessions, 10 kicks, 14 handballs, 2 tackles, 2 goal assists, 8 score involvements, 3 clearances, 3 stoppage clearances, 6 Inside 50s & 1 goal) may not have been as effective nor influential as he was against the Saints, but he did set up or create numerous scoring chains when Collingwood had momentum on their side to put the Crows to bed during the third term.
Jordan De Goey (24 disposals @ 83%, 416 metres gained, 10 contested possessions, 14 uncontested possessions, 4 intercept possessions, 12 kicks, 12 handballs, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 6 score involvements, 6 clearances, 5 centre clearances, 4 Rebound 50s & 1 goal) showed his true worth in the midfield where he was able to win centre clearances when most of his teammates struggled to clear the ball effectively. The clearances that De Goey won enabled Collingwood's forwards opportunities to mark or contest the ball up forward. De Goey worked equally hard behind the ball to generate rebound from stoppages or transition.
Steele Sidebottom (19 disposals @ 84%, 260 metres gained, 7 contested possessions, 12 uncontested possessions, 6 intercept possessions, 10 kicks, 9 handballs, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 7 score involvements, 5 Inside 50s & 1 goal) produced quality over quantity by impacting the contest at key moments with superb efforts to move the ball forward at all costs, while staying involved in scoring forays that the Magpies attempted.
Scott Pendlebury (28 disposals @ 86%, 423 metres gained, 10 contested possessions, 18 uncontested possessions, 8 intercept possessions, 17 kicks, 11 handballs, 6 marks, 3 score involvements, 2 clearances & 6 Rebound 50s) showed trademark poise and composure behind the ball with his ball use before being utilised with stints in the midfield during the second half to offer stabilty when the team appeared to struggle on occasions.
Nick Daicos (22 disposals @ 64%, 347 metres gained, 4 contested possessions, 18 uncontested possessions, 2 intercept possessions, 11 kicks, 11 handballs, 4 marks, 4 Inside 50s & 4 Rebound 50s) found enough of the ball without being accurate nor effective. There will be emphasis on Nick ensuring he is hitting targets next weekend against Geelong to give the Pies greater security behind the ball.
Isaac Quaynor (20 disposals @ 95%, 316 metres gained, 8 contested possessions, 12 uncontested possessions, 7 intercept possessions, 9 kicks, 11 handballs, 2 marks, 3 score involvements & 2 Rebound 50s) provided run and carry from defence all day which gave the team continual ball movement when Quaynor made surges on transition.
Jeremy Howe (20 disposals @ 80%, 459 metres gained, 6 contested possessions, 14 uncontested possessions, 6 intercept possessions, 14 kicks, 6 handballs, 6 marks, 5 tackles, 5 score involvements, 3 Inside 50s & 9 Rebound 50s) displayed his strengths by judging his marks well, while proving great drive from defence with long and effective kicks to advantage or contests, particularly when he pushed higher up the field to create scoring chances.
Darcy Moore (18 disposals @ 89%, 312 metres gained, 7 contested possessions, 11 uncontested possessions, 8 intercept possessions, 11 kicks, 7 handballs, 7 marks, 4 score involvements, 2 Inside 50s & 5 Rebound 50s) displayed supreme confidence to take his marks and hit his targets with a high degree of accuracy. Moore played his part in minimising the damage that the Crows were capable of causing and producing.
John Noble (17 disposals @ 82%,185 metres gained, 5 contested possessions, 12 uncontested possessions, 5 intercept possessions, 8 kicks, 9 handballs, 4 marks, 1 goal assist, 2 score involvements & 3 Rebound 50s) combined superbly with Isaac Quaynor to generate dash off half-back when the team needed it to occur. Noble was able to curb his enthusiasm by taking short options by hand or foot when advancements were made.
Jack Ginnivan (21 disposals @ 67%, 453 metres gained, 10 contested possessions, 11 uncontested possessions, 3 intercept possessions, 14 kicks, 7 handballs, 5 marks, 2 Marks Inside 50, 1 goal assist, 8 score involvements, 5 Inside 50s & 1 goal) played his best game for the club by a long way. Ginnivan was prepared to push up the ground as a high half-forward flanker to win his own ball, and looked very lively when the ball was in his vicinity up forward where he was slightly inaccurate, but still looked very dangerous in general play.
Jamie Elliott (13 disposals @ 54%, 215 metres gained, 9 contested possessions, 4 uncontested possessions, 8 kicks, 5 handballs, 4 tackles, 3 Tackles Inside 50, 5 score involvements, 2 Inside 50s & 1 goal) found it very hard and challenging to make leads and take marks up forward, so he laid tackles and put pressure on Adelaide's defence and impacted the scoreboard just before half time to give the Magpies breathing space and momentum into the main break.
Oliver Henry (13 disposals @ 46%, 157 metres gained, 4 contested possessions, 9 uncontested possessions, 2 intercept possessions, 6 kicks, 7 handballs, 2 marks, 3 score involvements & 2 goals) did not have the greatest of games but made the most of his opportunities when they came his way.
Brody Mihocek (11 disposals @ 54%, 166 metres gained, 4 contested possessions, 7 uncontested possessions, 8 kicks, 3 handballs, 3 marks, 1 goal assist, 4 score involvements & 1 goal) had a tough game, but competed at all times and capped off a quiet encounter with a major to take into next week.
Beau McCreery (9 disposals @ 78%, 268 metres gained, 4 contested possessions, 5 uncontested possessions, 7 kicks, 2 handballs, 6 tackles, 3 Tackles Inside 50, 1 goal assist, 6 score involvements, 3 Inside 50s & 2 goals) was very lively up forward with plenty of pressure and tackling, while getting involved in scoring chains, of which he bobbed up with two majors.
Nathan Kreuger (5 disposals @ 80%, 179 metres gained, 4 uncontested possessions, 4 kicks, 4 marks, 2 Marks Inside 50, 2 tackles, 1 goal assist, 3 score involvements, 3 Inside 50s & 2 goals) made an immediate impact on club debut with two excellent goals and provided a target while he was on the ground. Kreuger was subbed out of the game after injuring his shoulder. Hopefully, he will be able to play next week and be cleared of any structural damage to his shoulder.
Collingwood's next game will be against Geelong on April 2 at the MCG. This contest will be Collingwood's first major test of the season against an experienced and proven outfit that know how to consistently win matches. The Magpies will need all divisions (midfielders, forwards & defenders) firing on all cylinders to clinch victory against all expectations next week. A victory against the Cats will have the rest of the competition sitting up and taking notice of how much damage the Magpies can produce in the 2022 season which has seen them become revitalised, rejuvenated and hungry for immediate improvement.
Beau McCreery had "only" 9 disposals, but boy, did he make them count! Another caveat about reading too much into stats.
