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Nathan Buckley says his side is looking forward to playing in a Queen’s Birthday blockbuster
IT’S been a long time since Collingwood and Melbourne were both firing for a Queen’s Birthday clash. But this year is officially a blockbuster. Nathan Buckley gives an insight into how his players are feeling.
COLLINGWOOD has piled on 20 goals for the first time in two years to gear up for Monday’s Queen’s Birthday blockbuster against a red-hot Melbourne.
The Magpies destroyed a hapless Fremantle as captain Scott Pendlebury helped shut down Brownlow Medal favourite Nat Fyfe and Brody Mihocek bagged four goals on debut in the 61-point rout. But Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said the Magpies were “yet to prove” they could put together four good quarters against the top teams. GAME RECAP: HOW THE PIES TOPPED THE DOCKERS GAME STATS: ALL THE STATS FROM PIES V DOCKERS RECAP ALL THE DAY’S ACTION IN OUR BLOG BELOW Collingwood has beaten only one top-eight side so far this season – Adelaide away – and Buckley said his side was ready to try and raise the bar against an in-form Melbourne. “We have got some boys who have put together some really solid football and we have shown our best footy is pretty good,” Buckley said. “But you are right about who we have played and who we have beaten and who we haven’t. “That’s where the opportunity for growth is for us to continue to improve and next week is against a top-four side. “It gives us an opportunity to test ourselves against one of the better teams in the comp.” Speedster Will Hoskin-Elliott also booted six goals in the Magpies’ seventh win of the season, which kept Collingwood only four points outside the top four. The Magpies hadn’t kicked 20 goals since their 78-point win over Brisbane in Round 8, 2016. Buckley lauded his midfield brigade but was frustrated his team conceded five goals from centre bounce and seven majors in a last term fade-out. Perfect 9 promo 650x90 He said the Magpies could not afford to switch off against a team like Melbourne. “When we have played good footy against good opposition we have stood up, but we have just got to learn, like today, we have got to play it for longer,” he said. “You need to do it against the better sides of the comp to win those games and we are yet to prove that and we are looking forward to the challenge (against Melbourne).” High-flyer Jeremy Howe is a chance to return from knee soreness against his old team for Monday’s blockbuster, while Mihocek is certain to keep his spot after an impressive debut. Buckley praised his persistence after a six-year wait to realise his AFL dream. “The first 30 minutes he was running around like a chicken with its head cut off. He was excited, like a kid in a lolly shop,” Buckley said. “His story is amazing and he got his opportunity and really he showed us what he showed us over the last couple of weeks in that role (in the VFL).” Watch every match of every round of the 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. SIGN UP NOW >
Originally published as Nathan Buckley says his side is looking forward to playing in a Queen’s Birthday blockbuster