Game Day Round 23, 2023 - Collingwood vs. Brisbane Lions
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Dalions
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Maybe he is trying to test our mental fragility by naming a team that we well and truly should beat hoping we go into the game with a mindset like we did against Hawks and Suns.
Wouldn’t totally shock me if that is a bit to do with it. It’s a free hit game for them, whilst we have everything to play for.
They know that we are a chance of meeting again at some stage in the finals so why not try to get into the heads of our players a bit by having a free swing at us with an undermanned team. If it comes off who knows what that does psychologically to our group next month. If it doesn’t come off for them they haven’t really lost anything have they?
Dalions
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That and not wanting to give away too much just before finals too.
- Mar 12, 2003
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As we know my narrative for the last few weeks has been that we aren't fit enough to run out games. But it's August, so even if that is the case, it's not something we can fix now.
So let's assume for a sec that it's all mental/emotional/situational. Something I'm looking forward to seeing is whether we have done any work on our pre-end-of-game scenarios. It's all very well to look at our end-of-game execution, and last week I thought we did that very well.
But it's the phase of play that comes before that I'm keen to see us get right. The phase of play when we conceded 3 quick goals to Melbourne (of the 4), 6 goals to Geelong, and 2-4 to Adelaide. In tennis parlance, I'm talking about what comes after you get to match point, or check in chess. This is the stage where it's still possible to lose, but you really shouldn't be.
If we get this right, we won't have to worry about that flooding of the backline, the desperate yet careful tackling (which Collingwood are most likely better trained to take advantage of), the hearts in mouths of supporters.
First we need to get our hands on the ball of course, which we weren't able to do against Melbourne, and it wasn't much better against Adelaide. Then it's a balance of still trying to score without necessarily taking gung ho risks like centreing the ball into the corridor even when we have an outnumber. Yes, kick-mark by all means, but still take the ball forward, and find ways to do so without having to go long down the line every time. We still have to make the opposition defend, and by doing so we also take time off the clock. Indeed, the best way to take time off the clock is to take a set shot at goal.
Anyway we haven't really heard any mention of this aspect of defending a lead since our win over Adelaide, so I'll be surprised if there's any improvement here tonight. But I'd love to find out I'm wrong, and doing so against one of the best finishing teams in the comp would be an impressive statement, if indeed we are good enough to get into such a position in the first place.
So let's assume for a sec that it's all mental/emotional/situational. Something I'm looking forward to seeing is whether we have done any work on our pre-end-of-game scenarios. It's all very well to look at our end-of-game execution, and last week I thought we did that very well.
But it's the phase of play that comes before that I'm keen to see us get right. The phase of play when we conceded 3 quick goals to Melbourne (of the 4), 6 goals to Geelong, and 2-4 to Adelaide. In tennis parlance, I'm talking about what comes after you get to match point, or check in chess. This is the stage where it's still possible to lose, but you really shouldn't be.
If we get this right, we won't have to worry about that flooding of the backline, the desperate yet careful tackling (which Collingwood are most likely better trained to take advantage of), the hearts in mouths of supporters.
First we need to get our hands on the ball of course, which we weren't able to do against Melbourne, and it wasn't much better against Adelaide. Then it's a balance of still trying to score without necessarily taking gung ho risks like centreing the ball into the corridor even when we have an outnumber. Yes, kick-mark by all means, but still take the ball forward, and find ways to do so without having to go long down the line every time. We still have to make the opposition defend, and by doing so we also take time off the clock. Indeed, the best way to take time off the clock is to take a set shot at goal.
Anyway we haven't really heard any mention of this aspect of defending a lead since our win over Adelaide, so I'll be surprised if there's any improvement here tonight. But I'd love to find out I'm wrong, and doing so against one of the best finishing teams in the comp would be an impressive statement, if indeed we are good enough to get into such a position in the first place.
Unless Fagan has gone the old Bennett route (Broncos) where he would do a late season preseason block so that these guys hit the finals running. Could explain why the team has looked so tired.
- Mar 12, 2003
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Would love you to be right. But Mike Whiting is pretty sure that would not be the case, and given his running background I trust his judgement.
Also would be hard to arrange logistically given we've just come off a 6 day break back from Perth.
Live 28km from the city, but the Mrs kindly let me have/stay the night in town. Couple (few) Ratu’s (aka mothers milk) before I spruce up and head down the bar, before taking the short walk to Marvel. #u#upthelions
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- Mar 12, 2003
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The odds have behaved similarly... We're now $1.75 v Collingwood $2.32... unprecedented for top of the ladder playing at home I'd have thought.
Section 5
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I don't blame the Pies for leaving out anyone who is carrying some sort of injury for this game.
That is the benefit of being 2 games clear on top with 2 games remaining.
They are in 1st place and would need to lose the next 2 to Lions and Essendon by a reasonable amount to be even a chance to drop out of top two.
The reward for having good quality players missing this week and available for finals is greater than the slim risk of dropping to 3rd place.
I will be happy if a few more top players plus Nobel drop out before the game.
That is the benefit of being 2 games clear on top with 2 games remaining.
They are in 1st place and would need to lose the next 2 to Lions and Essendon by a reasonable amount to be even a chance to drop out of top two.
The reward for having good quality players missing this week and available for finals is greater than the slim risk of dropping to 3rd place.
I will be happy if a few more top players plus Nobel drop out before the game.
- Jan 9, 2019
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Don't understand how you can say that. They lose both home & away games remaining and can easily drop to 3rd. Dropping from top of the ladder to 3rd after they have been on top all season would not instill confidence in the group moving into finals.
"Getting in the heads of our players" is a good story but I very much doubt those type of games are played in the modern game. Winning breeds success and losing can turn toxic pretty quick. They have lost 2 of their last 3 and I am sure they dont want it to be 1 win 3 loss's out of their last 4 games if they can help it.
They can’t drop to third ML. Port isn’t making up 20% in two weeks and whilst I’m sure all the players missing have some type of niggle, I’m also pretty sure if this was a final a few of them would be playing.
Getting inside our head for a possible meeting later next month probably isn’t their motive, I assume it’s more to give a couple of their players with niggles a rest before finals, but a by product if they win could be a little psychological boost for them should we meet again in finals when they are closer to full strength.
In summary whilst I’m sure they’d “like” to win, we “need” to win.
I am still confident of a win although the pressure seems to be coming off the Pies, remarkably it feels like a free hit nothing to lose type game for them tonight.
Fantastic test for us on the eve of finals, turn up be professional and attack man and ball with intensity from the first to final siren and we will win.
Fantastic test for us on the eve of finals, turn up be professional and attack man and ball with intensity from the first to final siren and we will win.
Still all comes down to the midfield tonight for me. Thats what has been lacking the past few weeks, if neale and Dunkley can find some form I expect a 5 goal win tonight.
Collingwoods center line gives us a good option to do that tonight.
Collingwoods center line gives us a good option to do that tonight.
- Jan 9, 2019
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Port have 2 strong wins and the Pies have 2 bad loss's, why cant they slip to 3rd?
Don't see any reason Collingwood needs to win tonight other than trying to get a psychological advantage on us as to how the game plays out. They're resting players.
Sure they'll be flat out with the team they have in and in no way will we be underestimating them . But I'll be disappointed if we can't put it away.
Sure they'll be flat out with the team they have in and in no way will we be underestimating them . But I'll be disappointed if we can't put it away.
Elixuh
See you on the 9th green at 9
“Put up or shut up”: If the Lions can't beat the Pies tonight, they can't win the flag, says David King.
It'll be a lot easier if the boys just win tonight. I don't want to go through a week of meltdowns on here and in the media.
It'll be a lot easier if the boys just win tonight. I don't want to go through a week of meltdowns on here and in the media.
ML it's possible on paper but in practical terms at the very high end of being highly unlikely.
Port would need 2 ~100 point wins to catch them. Not impossible, but…
Very unlikely
Eg let’s say pies lose both games 100-50, which is terrible for percentage
And port win both games 100-50
Pies would still be about 1.5% clear
I think most here are resigned to whatever happens.
Optimistic ,expect to win ,but if we don't we're still in with a shot.
It's not as if we haven't been disappointed before. Sometimes for decades on end in my case.
Nunez
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If we lose I don't think I will log into Big Footy for at least.... 12 hours.
Enjoy your Hall Pass ......should be a great evening for the Lions. 45pt win.Live 28km from the city, but the Mrs kindly let me have/stay the night in town. Couple (few) Ratu’s (aka mothers milk) before I spruce up and head down the bar, before taking the short walk to Marvel. #u#upthelions
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