Collingwood’s midfield stars lead the Magpies to a huge win over Fremantle
IT had been the question mark over Collingwood for years. Why has a midfield loaded with so much individual talent been unable to dominate opposition sides? Now locked in the top eight, the question may not be asked again.
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IT had been the question mark over Collingwood for a few years.
Why was a midfield loaded with so much individual talent and class unable to not only control games, but dominate the opposition from out of the guts?
We’ve talked a lot about the Magpies’ improved defensive system, and the injection of speed this year, but what we are also finally seeing in 2018 is the Collingwood midfield hit its straps.
GAME RECAP: HOW THE PIES TOPPED THE DOCKERS
GAME STATS: ALL THE STATS FROM PIES V DOCKERS
We shouldn’t be too harsh on the injury-hit and youthful Dockers, but Collingwood obliterated Fremantle out of the middle for periods of the Magpies’ 61-point rout at the MCG.
Magpies wingman Tom Phillips turned in another outstanding game, Adam Treloar is becoming more composed with the ball, Steele Sidebottom’s form just doesn’t waver and Scott Pendlebury again took Nat Fyfe out of the game one week after helping curb Bulldog Jack Macrae.
Fyfe’s Brownlow Medal hopes are in jeopardy after he clipped Magpie hard nut Levi Greenwood with a high elbow in the third term.
We have all heard the theory that the match review crew generally goes easy on the Brownlow Medal favourites.
But what may save Fyfe is that Greenwood didn’t appear to be hurt in the incident.
But the blow was high and careless and if Greenwood perhaps didn’t have such a hard head Fyfe would definitely be looking at a stint on the sidelines.
It was a dirty day for Fremantle’s gun onballers Fyfe and Lachie Neale who were sent forward to start the least term as an unhappy Ross Lyon watched on with a furrowed brow from the coaches box.
But for Collingwood, there is lots to be optimistic about as the Pies prepare to upset a red-hot Melbourne in the blockbuster Queen’s Birthday Monday clash.
It’s a big test for the Pies after going down to reigning premier Richmond and contender Geelong earlier in the season.
A win for Collingwood on Monday would put the Pies in the top-four conversation, but up until now the only team they have beaten from the top eight is Adelaide.
We will know more in a week and the ruck battle alone should be worth the price of a ticket as the two All-Australian candidates Brodie Grundy and Max Gawn prepare to go at it.
It’s been a decade since the Demons and Pies were both inside the eight coming into a Queen’s Birthday tussle.
Encouragingly for Nathan Buckley, Collingwood’s lesser lights are shining brighter than recent seasons.
Will Hoskin-Elliott booted six goals in one of his best games for the club, Taylor Adams won eight clearances and even first-gamer Brody Mihocek bagged four goals. He received plenty of applause for an impressive debut after an excellent second term.
But what is clear is this Collingwood midfield is playing with a greater sense of selflessness and togetherness this season.
And by late in Sunday’s game the Pies had almost doubled Fremantle’s inside 50m count 62 to 35.
Even former Docker Chris Mayne worked hard and would be pleased with his production in the clash against his old side after reclaiming his position in Collingwood’s senior side.
Mihocek was another great story.
The VFL workhorse had to strive for seven years to finally earn his chance at AFL level but on Sunday Mihocek looked up to the level as he marked strongly on the wing and setup a nice Hoskin-Elliott goal in the second term with a 60m pass.
Without injured big men Darcy Moore and Ben Reid, Mihocek was more than handy against a depleted Fremantle, missing Aaron Sandilands, Stephen and Brad Hill and Michael Johnson.
The Pies toyed with the Dockers in a dour first term, but then put the foot to the throat with 11 goals either side of half time.
Collingwood led by 78 points at one stage but a seven-goal last term from Fremantle ensured it wasn’t a three-figure thrashing.
COLLINGWOOD 3.6 8.8 14.9 21.12 (138)
FREMANTLE 2.3 3.4 5.4 12.5 (77)
CLARK’S BEST
Magpies: Hoskin-Elliott, Sidebottom, Pendlebury, Mihocek, Maynard, Treloar, Grundy.
Dockers: Walters, Hamling, Mundy, Sheridan.
GOALS
Magpies: Hoskin-Elliott 6, Mihocek 4, Phillips 3, Thomas 2, Maynard, Daicos, De Goey, Stephenson, Cox, Pendlebury.
Dockers: Mundy 2, Neale 2, Tucker 2, Banfield, Sheridan, Cox, Apeness, Giro, Jones.
INJURIES
Dockers: A.Pearce (ankle).
UMPIRES
Ryan, McInerney, Haussen.
CROWD
34,542 at the MCG.
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Originally published as Collingwood’s midfield stars lead the Magpies to a huge win over Fremantle
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