Sloppy but effective

Collingwood haven't won a match cleanly since smashing West Coast in Round 10, and that didn't change today. It was ugly, but you'll take a 32 point injury-free win against a top 6 team any day of the week. That said, Adelaide being a top 6 team only reflects the fact that they've had an easy draw. Against teams in the top 8 the Crows have gone a dismal 0-6. They've lost to West Coast by 50 points, struggled to a 5 point home win against lowly Essendon, and last week were embarrassed by Geelong on their home turf. They're yet to have a statement victory, and their season is now dependent on the health of injured Brett Burton and Jason Porplyzia.

Collingwood pulled their Jekyll/Hyde act today, playing like rubbish for one-and-a-half quarters (and I mean rubbish) turning the ball over, lacking accountability and committing basic skill errors. Not surprisingly they found themselves in a 46-18 hole midway through the second term. At that stage they turned it around. Nothing in particular triggered the turnaround, they simply snapped out of it. Possibly the mark of a good team. The second half was vintage 2008 Collingwood (can I say that?), and they basically pressured Adelaide into submission. The Pies pressured the Crows, laying tackles and winning the pill in contested situations. They turned the tables in the clearances, and when Didak goaled in the first minute of the final term you sensed the game was just about over.

Notes about the game;

-Rhyce Shaw played a ripper game, aside from two blunders in front of goal (1 metre out from goal he managed to kick the ball 40 metres in the wrong direction. Amazing). 32 possessions, 9 marks, a nice snapped goal, and dash off the flanks and wings - Shaw would have been best on ground if not for..
-How good is Paul Medhurst!? I mean really, he's come from inconsistent fringe goal-sneak to deserving All-Australian and (yep, I'll say it) the best player on a potential top 4 team. 19 possessions, 10 marks and 5 goals (could have easily been 7 or 8) makes Medhurst a pretty easy choice for player of the game today. The real story though is how good Medhurst has been this year. The transformation began in last year's finals campaign, and we're reaping the results right now. 7th in the league in goals (42.20, accurate too), 5th in marks and 15th in kicks. His averages of 16 disposals, 8 marks and 3 goals a game are unreal. It's not uncommon from players to make the leap from fringe player to weekly contributor, but Medhurst has jumped from fringe player to superstar - in less than 12 months.
-Very quiet games from Dale Thomas and Scott Pendlebury. Thomas has been the one to come under scrutiny this year, but he's satisfied my expectations this year. Pendlebury hasn't.
-John Anthony looks like he could be a handy role player. Two calmly slotted goals.
-Harry O'Brien was fantastic, and a sweet launch and mark over Johncock. This kid continues to impress.
-Marty Clarke was brilliant today, 21 possies, 8 marks and a terrific goal to put the icing on the cake.
-Adelaide didn't kick a meaningful goal in the second half.
-After Scott Thompson singlehandedly ripped apart Richmond a few weeks ago I was ready to declare him one of the 10-12 best players in the league. Not so much now. Just 13 kicks in the past two weeks, and today despite racking up 36 disposals he had a limited impact on the game. Judd, Kerr, Goodes, Ablett, Bartel, Harvey, Black - 36 disposals is almost an automatic 3 votes. Thompson isn't on that level yet by any means.

Today was ugly, it was sloppy, but it was effective. It's a solid win that with percentage effectively puts Collingwood two games clear of 7th spot and an away final. Next week represents the third consecutive if-you-want-to-have-a-real-crack-at-September-you-need-to-win-this-match, currently the Pies are 2 for 2 in that category, so here's hoping they'll be able to go 3 for 3 with a win over the Roos next Friday night.