Shaky, but a win is a win

Carlton 14.12 96 Collingwood 18.12 120

Admittedly the Pies didn't look very good out there today but as they seem to do time and time again this year, with their backs to the wall they pulled out the goods. After the travesty that was last Saturday night the boys had to respond strongly against the old foe. This was the perfect opportunity to atone for last week's embarassment. The Pies picked up the victory but you sense that Blues fans would have left the ground feeling better than the black and white. The Blues fought hard against a better opponent and almost stole a victory. What is worst of all though is not the Bluebaggers strong effort, but the reaction and excuse fans of the sworn enemy have put up - tanking. Worst of all is the fact that they may have a point.

With seven minutes to go and the game in the balance Brendan Fevola came off the ground. Fevola was on fire and well and truly had Presti's measure. But Brett Ratten elected to take him off at the most pivotal stage in the game (much like Malthouse did with Buckley in a game in late 2005). By the time he returned the game was over.

Enough about the enemy though, because as determined as they've looked the past two weeks they are still three years away from competing for the finals. The Magpies were the only team on team on the field today that actually mattered in the grand scheme of things. The Pies needed a statement victory today, but they didn't quite pull it off. Again we looked shaky in the midfield, at times unable to halt momentum, and yet again hugging the wings. A football team looks best when using the corridor, and the Magpies don't seem to do that. Hawthorn, the Bulldogs and Brisbane killed Collingwood by using the corridor, the Magpies need to adjust. You don't win premierships by spearing targets along the wings. You win them by running through the middle of the ground.

The defence wasn't too sharp today either. For the second week in a row an opposition player booted six goals. Malthouse has to be smarter with matchups. With Wakelin out (surely the no. 1 guy for Fev) Malthouse had a setback before the opening bounce. Essentially there were four options. A rusty James Clement, a young Harry O'Brien, Nick Maxwell fresh off a dominant performance in the forward line, or veteran Presti. Malthouse opted with Presti, which was the wrong decision. Presti simply wasn't fast enough. Malthouse should have started O'Brien on Fev, and then later in the game a warmed up Jimmy Clement (if necessary).

The forward line was the main positive today. When Travis Cloke and Anthony Rocca combine for nine goals Collingwood will win the match, as was the case today. Travis looked good, kicking an important last quarter goal after a nice dummy. But unfortunately he yet again missed a key set shot due to his unorthodox kicking style. The difference between Travis Cloke being a Wayne Carey or a Matthew Richardson will be whether or not he adjusts his set-shot kicking style. Anthony stepped up in a big way today. After basically being non-existent for seven quarters of football (dating back to the Lions game), Rocca was the game-changer in the final term. He was a presence and kicked the goals that needed to be kicked.

The Black and White army once again showed that they've got guts, with an awesome last quarter. Although not as impressive as the St. Kilda or Kangaroos fightbacks, the Pies showed that they wanted it more today. The veterans Rocca, Lockeyer and then Burnsy all came up with clutch 4th quarter goals to win the match. And fine play by Daisy to take the mark and kick the goal to kick-start the final term.

All in all today was a narrowly averted disaster, and certainly not something to be overly proud of. But nonetheless the boys got the four points, get back on the winners list, and are now just a win against Richmond away from finals footy.