Review - Collingwood v Kangaroos:

Collingwood vs Kangaroos: Match Review:

By Luke Mason

For three quarters we played like rubbish, like a team destined for a bottom four finish. And yet within the space of 30 minutes we became world beaters, in our Collingwood obsessed minds.

That final term has altered my mind, and I suppose that of many, of how this team is travelling, and where we are headed. I still don’t know what to expect of the season. We were, after 22 weeks, the best Victorian side in the competition, missing out on the double chance on percentage. And for much of the year we were top two candidates.

And yet it seems our Elimination Final loss to the Western Bulldogs has put the kibosh on anything of substance this year.

I’ve gone over that game too often, and I won’t here once again. Although one thing I thought about it was that is had the [i]potential[/] to shatter all confidence, a la Black Saturday in 2003. Saturday afternoon saw to that, thankfully. Many will and have argued that we have only beaten the Kangaroos. And, yes, they are correct, we have only beaten the side backed by most to end the year as spooners.

Yet what many have overlooked is that the Roos, as they are most seasons, up and about at in the early stages of the year, and strike when their iron is hottest. Save for last year, under Dean Laidley they have come out of the blocks like a train before spending all their petrol tickets and fizzling out.

What I loved so very dearly about our comeback was the emotion, the passion it generated. It built momentum, something to build on, and something to hark back to when times are tough, for both the players onfield and the faithful back home with the video.

It all started with the gutsy chase, tackle and resultant goal from Dale Thomas on Daniel Wells. Now here is a guy who looks much like a lair, a player who will only ever put the finishing touches on victories. Oh no, he’s worth so much more than that. Not only can Thomas fly high for amazing grabs and boot freakish goals, he can fire and inspire the team. He is the spark (hence the nickname) when the chips are down, and the way he committed his body, still a few summers off its biggest, to the cause.

Unfortunately, Thomas’ goal was followed up by the quick reply by Shannon Grant. At the time, I, and I suspect everyone else, thought it was all over.

But not Collingwood.

Did we fight or what?! Nick Maxwell, in the foreign position of attack, plucked a mark from three deep and goaled; Paul Medhurst was welcomed to the fold by the faithful with a mark and goal from the back of a pack, and little Tarkyn Lockyer played like a man possessed.

I haven’t been Tarkyn’s greatest fan in recent times. Sure, he is as precise as they come by foot, is generally cool in a crisis, sets a great example for his teammates in his professional manner, and has the ability to shut down an opponent.

Now that sounds like a pretty reasonable footballer in anyone’s language, especially for a guy under the 180cm benchmark. But what I’ve missed in Tarks’ game for a few years now is his ability to dive underneath the packs and really give the kamikaze edge to the team. This was evidence back in the early days of the Malthouse era, pronounced especially in 2001 when many were labelling Lockyer the next Gavin Brown.

However, many have felt that ever since his sickening accidental collision with Jarrod Molloy (who intended to take out Mark Mercuri) in round 20, 2001, Lockyer has not appeared as he once did. Granted, his 2002 was still extremely serviceable, and he has been forced to fight his way back from a knee reconstruction and subsequent stress fractures of the foot in 2003 and 2004.

His durability and consistency have never been questioned, for he has not missed a game since his return from injury against the Roos in round 10, 2004, yet something has been missing – the spark, the x-factor.

Thankfully, Lockyer seemed to rediscover it in that final quarter, and should he continue that same inspiring form, the team receives a vital injection of ferocity and never-say-die spirit.

What’s more, Ben Johnson bounced back from his subdued opening three quarters to boot the goal to draw us within a kick. The stage was set for a Johnson classic, the crowd on its feet, Guy Richards leading one way, Paul Licuria another, and Anthony Rocca calling for it in the goal square. Elevated to the leadership group for this season, Jonno coolly, calmly settled and nailed the goal. We were back.

The final quarter charge was led by a number of players, in particular Scott Burns, Paul Licuria, Lockyer, Josh Fraser and Richards.

Burns’ efforts underlined his immense value to the team. For the past three years he has continually been the subject of journalistic write offs, deeming him to be too old and slow and past his prime. And yet he still wins more than 25 touches of the Sherrin on a regular basis, and hits opposition players with the ferocity of 1997, not 2007.

His grunt work around the stoppages onball was a critical factor in our rise to prominence, as was that of Licuria, who, too, committed plenty of selfless acts in the clinches.

Fraser and Richards both endured interesting days in the ruck and around the ground. The former was unusually quiet early before seeming to find his feet in the last quarter with some vital clearances from the centre bounces. Like so many others, he will be better for the outing, and is generally a slow starter.

Richards was better around the ground than he has been in the past, and his percentage of hitouts to advantage was a game high.

Some will argue that the likes of Chris Bryan should receive a chance at Richards’ expense next week due to the bullocking nature of the Eagles talls, most notably Dean Cox and Mark Seaby.

I disagree. As many would know, I’m a huge Guy Richards fan. As I have argued ad nauseam, he was likened to a young Peter Everitt as a tap ruckman when drafted from the Eastern Rangers in 2000, and his ability to, at his best, control the ruck can free up Fraser to wreak havoc where it hurts most – in attack.

Yes, he has taken his time, but that’s the deal with most big men, and Guy has endured his share of debilitating injuries, from kidneys to hip flexors. He’s set for a big one.

Big Anthony Rocca, too, played his part in the comeback. Although he may not have won overly much of the ball, he was terrific in crashing packs, dragging in strong marks and receiving the attention of North’s best two defenders. Now, if he can kick three or so goals a week, we will be well served.

Sitting slightly behind the Cheer Squad, the mood was deflated at three quarter time as we persisted in our chip, chip, chip here there and everywhere but straight as the Roos strangled us, and we refused, seemingly, to attack. Somehow, we took the initiative at the break, regrouped and refreshed, and won the game.

It was lucky, yes, but I don’t care. And they’re all calling for the head of Stuart Wenn for his blunder in calling Shannon Grant forward by only 37m or so. But that shouldn’t matter. Grant is a dead-eye dick in front of goal, and rarely misses anything. Hell, I was concerned when he actually took the mark just inside the 50m mark. He doesn’t miss from there too often, either.

He is just as culpable as Wenn. He is a senior player, one who has been, rightfully, highly acclaimed for his perfection with his searing left boot. And he missed. He simply ran in too hard and struck the ball without trajectory, and it hooked, cannoning into the post. Missing from 15m out as good as directly in front is unforgivable.

But we’ll take the win, of course we will! As Steve Waugh once said, it isn’t how but how many, and so it was on Saturday.

There is plenty for us to correct in the meantime. For starters, the madness of the chipping, boundary hugging game must cease now. The loss of Chris Tarrant would not have aided matters, granted, but we had Anthony Rocca, Travis Cloke and at times Fraser up there. Surely that’s enough options for the midfielders and defenders to trust their teammates and drive the ball long?

Ryan Lonie was a main perpetrator here, and he wasn’t alone, however: Attn Lones – please return to your line-breaking running and kicking of your early days. I don’t mind how many possessions you concede, just take the bit between the teeth and go long and strong. The side is improved greatly when Lonie is at his best, although granted, he did perform an excellent shutdown role on Wells, and got enough of the ball himself (16 possessions). But was he constructive enough? I still say he needs to lead the club in the amount of long kicks per year.

Medhurst was exciting – simply because he is new blood, has done jobs on the opposition before, and brings a bit of flair and unpredictability to the table and carries a bit of mongrel.

He wasn’t great on the weekend, but certainly encouraging – he adds something unique to the side, a player who can hold an overhead mark in a contest or out in front on a hard lead, in the knowledge that he rarely misses.

It was great to see Licca take Medhurst under his wing in the celebrations over near the Cheer Squad, just confirming for him that he has joined a club with a far brighter and more exciting future, not to mention a more loyal supporter base.

And so it is to next week, West Coast. A huge call, but I feel we can win. Blind faith? Maybe, but we can do it. The word doing the rounds is that Chris Judd is underdone and that Dean Cox won’t play. If we’re ever going to beat them over there, now is the time. Strike whilst the iron is hot.

Player Review:

Leon Davis: Added zip to the midfield and looked dangerous in attack. I was really impressed by his work rate and ability to position himself in areas in which he could provide scoreboard pressure. It didn’t always come off, but it was a promising display. 5.5/10

Ryan Lonie: Restricted Wells to only 12 disposals and won 16 of them himself despite receiving an ironing out by Jess Sinclair, resulting an a one week ban for the Roo. One criticism I have is his constant overuse of the ball; chipping 25m in every direction save for immediately up the field. Lonie needs to return to the hard running off halfback which was a trademark of his early years at the club. 5.5/10

Paul Medhurst: A promising display by Medhurst first up, for he led hard and provided a willing contest in attack – which is all anyone can ask for. Seems to have a liking to produce the unpredictable, so expect the unexpected. 5/10

James Clement: The general down back looked as if he’d been playing on all summer, notching up disposals at will in defence, providing the cool head under pressure the side was craving when on the verge of a collapse late in the third quarter. What’s more, he found time for a much needed goal (having scored only two last year) and was the deserving recipient of the Jason McCartney Medal as the most courageous player of the day. 9/10

Scott Pendlebury: Although he took his time to find his feet in the real time pressure of round one, Pendlebury rose to the fore in the final quarter, with some classy execution by foot much appreciated by the hard leading forwards. 4.5/10

Shane O'Bree: A true warhorse, O’Bree celebrated his 150^th game in Black and White with ?? possessions despite wearing a heavy knock to the shoulder in the second quarter, bouncing back to play his part in the final quarter avalanche. Should be fit for next week’s assignment. 6.5/10

Dale Thomas: One of the most consistent of the first three quarters before setting the standard in the last with his tackling and harassing of the Kangaroos players exceptional. A true workhorse whose commitment can never be questioned. 7/10

Shane Wakelin: Played his role down back, minimising the effect of a potent David Hale. 5/10

Scott Burns: A true professional, Burns was a key instigator in the final term revival, his brutal tackling leading to the goal which took the side to the lead. 7/10

Paul Licuria: Battled gamely all day be in onball or in attack, and his hard work around the stoppages ensured the side always had a strong chance of shifting into attack. 5.5/10

Guy Richards: Proved the most efficient ruckman on the day with the highest percentage of hitouts to advantage, as well as improving his workrate when not in a ruck contest. The true test looms this week against Dean Cox and Mark Seaby. 3.5/10

Rhyce Shaw: Showed that he has taken the next step as a leader in that he was one of the more assured heads when under pressure, forever pushing into space to give his teammate an option by hand or foot. 6.5/10

Anthony Rocca: Though he was as constant a ball winner as you may have wished, Rocca’s influence was pronounced, for he acted as a battering ram on the lead and, the final quarter in particular, looked likely to grab hold of the match himself. 5.5/10

Tarkyn Lockyer: Something must have clicked inside Lockyer at the huddle at the end of the third quarter, for he provided us with something we haven’t seen for a long while now – Tarkyn Lockyer in full flight. Lockyer was fantastic in the final term, working his heart out in hitting the packs with gusto, throwing his body on the line and winning the hard ball, as well as booting goals and setting others up. It was terrific to see, for since Jarrod Molloy accidentally concussed him out against Essendon in round 20 2001, and especially following his knee surgery in early 2003, he has lacked the bursts of speed and grunt which marked his ascension into the club leadership team. Thankfully, it appears as it is back, the team is far better for it. 7/10

Josh Fraser: Not his greatest effort in the ruck and around the ground, but lifted in the all important final quarter, picking up the strings at the centre bounces where Hamish McIntosh had dominated the day. 4.5/10

Ben Johnson: Another to endure a slow start before breaking through late, Johnson’s miraculous last quarter banana snap from the pocket on that trusty left boot brought the side within a kick. 4/10

Nick Maxwell: Strangely positioned in attack after spending the past three seasons down back, but was far from the worst and attacked the ball with strength, as well as bringing down a terrific grab from three deep in poaching the ball from the outstretched fingertips of the Roos backmen before converting full points. 5/10

Harry O'Brien: It was great to see O’Brien’s dash from defence return to the fore, his ability to dance his way out of trouble quite amazing and his skill in turning a sticky defensive situation into one of attack exhilarating to watch. Adds a touch of the unknown to the side. 4.5/10

Travis Cloke: Not Cloke’s best day at the office, although he presented well and was always a threat. Booted a classy goal from the one handed gather on the run in the second quarter, underlining his talents. 4/10

Simon Prestigiacomo: Continually caused headaches for man mountain Leigh Brown, who was never able to settle against Presti’s iron glove. 7/10

Dane Swan: Was strangely given the tagging role on Brent Harvey early before he was let loose in the final term, where his ability to find the ball and space proved vital. 5.5/10

Heath Shaw: 2006 wasn’t a fluke if Heath Shaw’s performance on Saturday was anything to go by, for he continually found the ball across halfback, alongside Clement and O’Brien, turned defence into attack. Was fortunate not to cost the side the game with a 50m penalty late to Shannon Grant conceding only a point. 7.5/10