September

Few would have expected it at the start of the year, but the Magpies are playing in September, for the 4th time in 6 years.

2007 has been a strange year, not quite as bumpy and bizarre as 2006, but exciting all the same. Collingwood had a strong first half to the year, as they did in 2006, before dropping off again in the later months. There seemed to be games where the Pies just didn't show up (Brisbane @ the G, both Melbourne matches, latter Richmond match), and those were the games that cost the Pies a spot in the top four. The fact is that if you want to finish in the top 4 you have to have a record better than 4-3 against teams in the bottom four. The problem with the Pies this year is that they've struggled against teams better (0-4 vs. West Coast, Port and Hawthorn) and worse than they are (only 4-3 against Bulldogs, Carlton, Melbourne and Richmond), and beat teams of around the same overall quality (8-2 vs. Sydney, Adelaide, St. Kilda, Brisbane, Fremantle, Essendon).

If the Black and White want to do better in the future they have to really put away terrible teams like Richmond and Melbourne. Collingwood's other main problem this year was percentage. Many might put the Woods' percentage worries down to the 93 point thumping to Brisbane (ironically Collingwood's biggest win of the season came against, guess who - Brisbane), but that's not true. Collingwood this year were not able to have a single six-goal victory. Collingwood struggled to 4-goal victories vs. Carlton and Richmond, and limped to an 11 point win over Melbourne. I don't recall there being one match where Collingwood had buried their opponent by 3 quarter time.

Ultimately though percentage has become somewhat irrelevant. Had Collingwood won multiple matches by 300+ points they still wouldn't be in the four.

Anyways that's in the past. It might sound as though I'm putting a somewhat negative spin on what has to be called an unbridled success of a season. When pundits place you 10-14 before the season begins, and come September you're looking at a home final, that's a success of a season. But (allowing the eternal cynicism to take hold again) 2007 has been a disappointing season in many ways. Collingwood have only found consistency in their inconsistency. Dropping games to Richmond and Melbourne hurt. And losing games against the Bulldogs and Hawthorn from winning positions didn't feel good either. Despite being in the finals series, I still view this year as purely a development season for the youngsters. This team isn't going to win a premiership. We lack the midfield speed and ferocity and the rounded experience to win a flag... for now.

Collingwood's problem is that they are too old and too young at the same time. By the time the youngsters mature (Cloke, Pendlebury, Thomas, Shaw, etc) the old guard will be gone (Rocca, Buckley, Burns, Clement? How old is Jimmy anyway?). Anyways, that's another thought for another day.

For now, please drop Richards for Fraser, R. Shaw for Didak, and O'Brien for Licuria. And FUCKING GO WOODS!!!!!!!