Mixed emotions

A few notes on last week's lost to Adelaide...

-It's been covered enough already, but Collingwood's (Malthouse's) absolute refusal to use the corridor cost them the match. If the Pies don't want to use the corridor, fine, it's a strategial error in my mind, but something that can be dealt with. Allowing the opposition to run rampant through the corridor on the other hand is unforgivable. You don't have to use it, but you have to at the very least defend it.

-Andrew McLeod kills Collingwood again. How does Malthouse not plan for this guy? Andrew McLeod dominates Collingwood without fail. Malthouse was quoted as saying 'If he played on the ball or on a wing we would have considered placing a tag on him'. Really Mick? Really? It doesn't matter where a player dominates from, if he's controlling a match singlehandedly you have to place a tag on him. It's not that difficult. Simply drag him to the goalsquare (something that St Kilda did successfully on Friday night). Terrible coaching.

-Collingwood were let down by a number of things. The continuing inability of Travis Cloke to make an impact when matched with a quality opponent cost us dearly. Basic skill errors from Didak and Clarke in the final seconds killed hopes of a comeback. Ultimately though, Collingwood were simply outcoached in every aspect of the game.

Votes

3 - Scott Pendlebury (stood out with his usual exceptional skill and awareness. The only player that was able to consistently hit targets through the Adelaide zone)
2 - Leon Davis (skills stood out all day as well, his class a notch above everyone else)
1 - Dale Thomas (on a day when Collingwood were bogged down constantly, Thomas' dash and creativity was vital)

On a brighter note, yesterday's win over Melbourne was much more impressive. The second half anyway. It was a clinical demolition of a weaker side, something Collingwood have struggled to do in recent years. There's little to say about the match really. The first quarter was terrible, as flat as it was last week - hopefully this isn't going to be an ongoing problem. Melbourne and Adelaide both dominated the opening quarters but didn't put it on the scoreboard enough. Collingwood come out flat again next week against Geelong and the game will be out of reach at quarter time.

Votes

3 - Josh Fraser (everything has already been said. Dominated a lesser ruckman, something that he should be doing. Played fantastically around the ground and kicked a good goal as well. What we expect from him)
2 - Alan Didak (horrible game from Didak last week, great turnaround this week. 29 disposals, 10 marks and 3 goals, fantastic. Didak of old)
1 - Dayne Beams (no sentimentality here, I genuinely believe Dayne Beams was the third best player on the ground yesterday. Creative, fearless and skillful. He's gonna be a star)