Scott Pendlebury says Collingwood must harden up to say season

SCOTT Pendlebury says next Monday’s Queens Birthday clash with Melbourne is “must-win” for Collingwood’s waning finals hopes after a disastrous day at the MCG.

CAPTAIN Scott Pendlebury says next Monday’s Queens Birthday clash with Melbourne is “must-win” for Collingwood’s waning finals hopes after a disastrous day at the MCG.

Collingwood’s defensive systems collapsed, coach Nathan Buckley said his side had too many passengers and the crowd of 28,567 was the worst for a home game since 2005.

The 67-point loss to Port Adelaide puts Collingwood three wins and 30 percentage points out of the eight.

Needing nine more wins to make the finals for the first time since 2013, next Monday is crunch time.

Buckley said most of his players would need to “redeem” themselves with only three above par on Saturday.

Travis Cloke had 13 possessions, with Buckley describing the forward’s return from VFL exile as serviceable but adding he “would want to contribute a bit more than that”.

Cloke is likely to get another chance against the Demons.

Pendlebury told the Herald Sun his Pies needed to toughen up.

“Today was a big game for the club, they were one spot above us, so it makes next week a must-win game,’’ Pendlebury said.

“Queens Birthday is a big occasion and for motor neurone (disease awareness) as well, so it’s a massive game and the boys will have to bounce back.

“We are 4-7 and it’s not a great position to be in, but it’s where we are. We spoke about it after the Carlton game, we have got to get that harder edge.

“We didn’t have it, but we know we can get it and we can respond from this game.”

Magpies coach Nathan Buckley says several players need to “redeem” themselves against the Demons. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Buckley was stunned that his team could allow so many end-to-end or over-the-back goals.

“I thought we had too many passengers. Sides have tried to do that in the last three weeks and we have defended it well,’’ he said.

“Ultimately we threw a number behind the ball in the second quarter to stem the side but we weren’t defending in the manner that we have been.

“We tried to make structural alterations but in the end you are shuffling the deckchairs.

“We had three blokes at the contest and Port Adelaide had five then 50m away four or five seconds later where you think our extras should be, it was three versus five or six Port Adelaide players.

“We look after the boys through the week given the last couple of games, but we weren’t able to match Port Adelaide’s transition.”

Asked about the significance of a win next week, Buckley said: “We will prepare and pick the best side to go and win the game next week. We are bitterly disappointed with our performance today we so we have to redeem that.”

None of the Pies’ missing stars — including Darcy Moore, Alex Fasolo and Taylor Adams — are likely to be back next week, but Marley Williams has played two games after a mid-foot sprain.

Jonathan Marsh was strong in the VFL on Saturday and could replace Jack Frost, who was poor against the Power.

Originally published as Scott Pendlebury says Collingwood must harden up to say season