HOT PIES FREEZE DEES by George on the Outer

[Demonland 72,127]

In the Annual Big Freeze game in support of Neale Daniher's fight against MND, it was Collingwood who froze the ambitions of the Demons, and it now challenges them to thaw out their prospects in the second half of the season.

Even though Melbourne opened the scoring account, it was quickly countered by Collingwood, as the Demons appeared flat.

And even though they held a minor lead at the first break, it was only through a couple of fortunate efforts, but nothing more. 

All around the ground players failed to bring the required pressure to the contest, and simple opportunities, particularly in front of goal were squandered.  Collingwood were using the old “rope a dope” tactic, which kept them in possession of the ball, and without the requisite pressure to counter, they just kept on maintaining that.  In the end  when you concede 124 marks to the opposition, they just get more chance to score, and they did.

For the first time this season, the backline failed.  Most of the Collinwood goals came from easy uncontested marks inside 50, with a total of 18 ensuring that shots on goal were coming.  Where was the failure?  Hard to tell, but there was a lack of HB’s and mids falling into that hole 35m out from goal, something that hasn’t happened all this season.

In the middle Max Gawn was beaten comprehensively in the ruck, and around the ground failed to contribute a single mark until mid-way through the 3rd quarter.  He improved from there with 8 for the game, but still lost the hit-out contest with only 1 effective hitout to ½ time. 

Without the drive, and with DeGoey allowed to run free in the first half, the Demons were struggling big time, but managed to actually hit the front in the 3rd quarter for a brief time.  However, the final quarter simply became a replay of the first half and Collingwood kicked a further 3 goals to put the game beyond doubt. 

No pressure.  It was evident throughout the ground, and the low numbers that we have seen in the forward half up to date, came back to punish the Demons badly in this game.  16 tackles to 6 is what is required from forwards, but it was the Pies who showed how and how often it is needed to be a successful attacking unit.

The forwards had little to show for turning up in this game, with Bayley Fritsch the only permanent to bother the goal umpire.  Sam Weideman didn’t bother the statistician either with zero kicks and marks for the whole game, and only 4 handballs, all of which came in the second half.  Hopefully this dismal experiment is now finished and a Brown will be the main target up forward in the next game.

TMac, while he didn’t hit the scoreboard, at least was providing a target but failed to kick as straight as we have become accustomed to.  At least he got a kick!

Luke Jackson was one of the best on the ground for the Demons, with his 21 disposals and 7 marks.  Conjecture about him needing a rest was ill-founded, but sadly he had too many team-mates having their rest before the bye in this game. 

The way this game was played and the way Melbourne played in their other losing game against Adelaide, surely will ring the alarm bells for the Melbourne heirachy.  In finals series we cannot afford players who simply make no contribution.  But also those players who perform well in first quarters like ANB and Fritsch, but then are unsighted for large periods of the remainder of the game.

Finals are about consistent, hard-work.  Finals are about putting in 100% of the time, and then some more.  If the Demons are to be serious contenders at the sharp end of the season they must learn to ice the game when they have the chance.  They must learn to bring the heat to contest after contest or like in this game, they will be frozen out of their best chance of ultimate success for the past 60 years.

MELBOURNE 2.2.14 4.4.28 8.6.54 9.9.63

COLLINGWOOD 1.4.10 6.8.44 8.11.59 11.14.80

GOALS

Melbourne Jackson 2 Fritsch Gawn Harmes Langdon Neal-Bullen Oliver Petracca

Collingwood Cameron 4 Mihoceck 3 Hoskin-Elliot McCreery Pendlebury Sidebottom

BEST

Melbourne Salem Jackson Petracca Harmes Oliver Jordon

Collingwood De Goey Maynard Pendlebury Crisp Cameron

INJURIES

Melbourne Nil

Collingwood Murphy (corked leg)

REPORTS

Melbourne Nil

Collingwood Nil

SUBSTITUTES

Melbourne Kade Chandler (unused)

Collingwood Jay Rantall (replaced Murphy)

UMPIRES Robert O'Gorman Simon Meredith Nathan Williamson

OFFICIAL CROWD TBC at The SCG