Bruce McAvaney criticised for De Goey ‘hiccup’ comments as Pie dominates Cats
It is not often Bruce McAvaney mucks up a moment. But his comments describing Jordan De Goey’s off-field issues did just that. Meanwhile for the man himself, this was a statement game, writes Mark Robinson.
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It is not often Bruce McAvaney mucks up the moment.
When Jordan De Goey marked and kicked the first goal of the clash between Collingwood and Geelong, which set the foundation for an imposing Magpies victory, McAvaney had the microphone.
“He’s had an OK year so far and then he’s had a hiccup, we know,’’ McAvaney said.
It was a curious description, hiccup. Charged with an alleged offence against a woman, it prompted debate about whether De Goey should even be playing.
McAvaney, to his credit, apologised in the post-match.
“I mentioned him (De Goey) earlier tonight and I used some words that I wish I hadn’t,” McAvaney said.
“I said that he had a hiccup. I was thinking of it in a football sense, and I know that it’s upset a lot of people tonight and I do apologise completely.”
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As for De Goey, he clearly wanted to make the most of the opportunity the AFL had given him and, after missing last week, he was more than a hiccup for Geelong on Thursday night.
He kicked two goals in the first half — and five for the game — to punctuate what arguably was the most irrepressible defensive half executed by a team this year.
It should not have surprised because Collingwood is easily the best defensive team in the competition.
It strangled and denied the Cats, the highest-scoring team, and the win surely propelled the Magpies to equal premiership favourites with Port Adelaide.
At halftime, the score was 4.3 to 1.3. At full-time, it was 8.9 to 5.5.
The second half was a slogfest in the wet, heavy conditions, which doesn’t make it an attractive contest when a defensive mindset underpins these teams.
It’s why De Goey’s goals in the first half were critical.
With Mason Cox taken out of the team before the bounce, De Goey returned to be a permanent forward, where he had created the narrative of being the game’s next $1 million player.
Bruce was right, he has only had an OK year.
Last night it changed. He was lively, brilliant, he presented always, and his work rate seemed high.
It’s Collingwood’s most important pillar — work rate.
It encompasses defence and pressure, and when you have a midfield of Brodie Grundy (16 disposals, 46 hit-outs), Scott Pendlebury (24 disposals), Adam Treloar (34), Taylor Adams (21) and wingmen Tom Phillips (20) and Chris Mayne (16), Collingwood is close to the complete team.
At least, Thursday night was close to the complete performance.
Collingwood’s pressure to halftime was recorded at 221, Grand Final-like.
The Cats went at 190, which was admirable after they lost midfield warrior Joel Selwood in the first quarter.
If you’re in a gang fight, you need your skipper.
Geelong never gave up, but at the same time, Collingwood played the more dangerous and threatening football for most of the match.
At three-quarter time, the Pies led by 14 points.
When Gary Rohan kicked the first goal of the last quarter to reduce the margin to eight points, an unlikely and inspiring victory loomed for Geelong.
The Cats just couldn’t overcome, however.
Because of one reason mainly — De Goey.
After Rohan’s goal, he prowled the back of a boundary throw-in — following a Mark Blicavs dropped mark — and soccered a goal from 20m with seven minutes to go.
“He’s looked sharp all night,’’ McAvaney said.
He was right.
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When Cam Guthrie kicked another goal, to make it 10 points the difference, De Goey again killed the Cats.
A contested mark and goal was the sealer.
In an eight-goal to five-goal result, that probably makes him best-afield. When he kicked his fifth, after a gather and twirl near the boundary line with seconds to play, his night was complete.
So, what does coach Nathan Buckley do? Put him back into the midfield or leave him forward where he was and can be devastating? You have to like the latter prospect.
The Pies midfield, mind you, was dominant, Treloar’s ability to find the ball at the contest is exceptional, and while some are critical of his use, his smarts to take ground quickly, especially in a match where yardage was important, are wrongly ignored. Grundy, too, was masterful.
The Pies were cleaner, defensively strong, and, of course, had De Goey.
Geelong had only 31 entries so opportunities were scarce, and they lost Selwood and Jordan Clark (shoulder). That didn’t help.
The Pies had 46 inside 50s and missed opportunities.
In a night of statements, De Goey and Collingwood were supreme.
Originally published as Bruce McAvaney criticised for De Goey ‘hiccup’ comments as Pie dominates Cats