Collingwood vs Western Bulldogs: Match Review

[Johnson#26]

Collingwood vs Western Bulldogs: Match Review

After a tight tussle all evening, Collingwood prevailed over the Bulldogs by 49 points thanks to an eight goals to one final term. After leading at three quarter time by two goals, the Maggies, through Tristan Walker and Nathan Buckley destroyed the Bulldogs in the last quarter, winning by just under 50 points. The win leaves the Pies out of priority pick contention, but they will now be out to destroy some teams finals aspirations.

In the first term, neither side goaled for the first ten minutes of the match, before Scott Burns soccered Collingwood’s first off the ground. But minutes later, the Bulldogs Brad Johnson broke free from Rhyce Shaw and goaled, levelling the scores. Prior to Johnson’s goal, Simon Prestigiacomo, moments after taking a spectacular saving mark, dislocated his shoulder – ending his season. Burns went on to score another two for the quarter, leaving the Pies with a two goal break. Another injury casualty was Julian Rowe, who accumulated seven touches for the quarter, injured a thigh as spent the rest of the game sidelined.

The second quarter saw the Dogs storm back, and with out some inaccurate kicking by spearheads Luke Darcy and Jade Rawlings, they may have taken the lead. But the Pies fought hard, with youngsters Tristan Walker and David King giving the Pies some breathing space with two goals each up forward. Josh Fraser also nailed a major, as the Pies took a slender lead into the half time break. Despite some good work from Nathan Buckley and Ben Johnson, the Pies couldn’t break clear of the dispirit Dogs, who threw everything at the Pies.

Both sides threw everything at each other in the third quarter – with both teams going goal for goal in a game which went from end-to-end. Ryan Lonie scored a terrific running goal from just outside then fifty before Matthew Robbins scored a major to reduce the lead. Without the tall timber of key forwards Anthony Rocca and Chris Tarrant, the job was left to Walker and Fraser to provide a target. Walker often charged into and crashed packs, leading the way for crumbers Burns and Shane Woewodin. It wasn’t as if the Bulldogs didn’t have their opportunities, as Darcy and Rawlings peppered the goals but to no avail. At the end of the term, the Pies held grimly to a two goal lead as the Bulldogs continued to push for victory. For the Magpies, Steven McKee held the ruck manfully, as it allowed Fraser to be released as a tall forward option whilst Johnson and Holland were always in the thick of it.

The final quarter – one that had promised so much – delivered little, as the Magpies ran away with the game, winning by 49 points. Rawlings and Patrick Bowden had opportunities to get the Dogs within striking distance but, as was the case for much of the night, they couldn’t convert. A trickle of Magpie goals soon turned into a flood, as the Maggies stormed to an eight goal victory. Goals to Fraser, Lokan, Buckley, Woewodin, Walker and a final one to Brodie Holland iced the game as the Pies charged home. Brodie Holland was instrumental in the last quarter charge, with many centre square clearances helping the Pies to a win. Injuries to Prestigiacomo, Rowe, Davis, Maxwell and Jason Cloke dampened a solid win, which keeps the Pies slim finals hopes hanging by a thread.

Player Review:

Leon Davis: 3/10 – Very quiet evening, although he showed moments of brilliance.

Shane Woewodin: 4.5/10 – Quiet night but can be excused as he played in an unfamiliar position up forward.

Ryan Lonie: 5.5/10 – Continues to run into a good patch of form. Showed talent up forward, along with a traditional Ryan Lonie goal on the run.

Nathan Buckley: 8.5/10 – The professional was once again best on ground. With 30 possessions and many a strong mark, Buckley showed the competition that he is still a force to be reckoned with. Classy final quarter.

Brodie Holland: 6.5/10 – Very good in the midfield, where his centre clearances were vital to victory in the final term.

James Clement: 6/10 – Quiet night compared to his usual standards but did what was required when asked.

Shane O’Bree: 4.5/10 – An improvement on recent form but still has a long way to go. Won 17 touches but many were turnovers. Needs to improve his skill level.

Steven McKee: 5.5/10 – A solid night at the office for McKee. His strength in the ruck stood out against Street although he struggled with Darcy.

Richard Cole: 7/10 – Exciting dashes from defence coupled with some courageous marks completing a good night out.

Scott Burns: 7/10 – Very good all night. Played up forward for most of the night, scoring the sides first three goals. Will be a handy goalsneek for the next season or two.

Paul Licuria: 6.5/10 – Gave his all as always and won plenty of the ball. Solid game.

Rhyce Shaw: 5.5/10 – Another good evening. Tried very hard and was eager to impress. Will keep his spot in the side for the remaining weeks.

Tarkyn Lockyer: 4/10 – Quiet night for Tarkyn. Didn’t win much of the ball but when he did his ball skills were superb.

Josh Fraser: 7/10 – Very good all night. Made the forward line look dangerous when he was up there and held his own in the ruck. Used his excellent football brain to advantage.

Ben Johnson: 7/10 – One of the best on the ground. Kept running all night and was a constant threat to the Dogs. His kicking skills have improved remarkably and used his courage to advantage.

Matthew Lokan: 3.5/10 – Made some handy contributions in the second half along with a nice goal. Should keep his spot in the side.

David King: 2/10 – Quiet night apart from one nice goal on the run in the second quarter.

Jason Cloke: 3/10 – Very quiet in defence. Whispers that he was injured may be the reason for his quiet night.

Simon Prestigiacomo: 2/10 – Excellent early until he dislocated his shoulder in a season ending injury. Took a fantastic mark prior to his injury.

Tristan Walker: 5.6/10 – The revelation of the night. Took many marks and lead well, and if not for poor kicking he may have been best on ground.

Julian Rowe: 3.5/10 – Very good early before injuring his thigh. Is a classy ball magnet.

Nick Maxwell: 4.5/10 – Good match, holding his Bulldog opponent quiet. His night was hampered with a knee injury but is expect to be ready for next weeks clash