Field Marshal: Collingwood the easiest team for rivals to score against from defensive 50m

COLLINGWOOD is one of the poorest tackling sides in the AFL, coughing up on average about five goals a game from turnovers in the forward half.

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley looks for answers. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

COLLINGWOOD captain Scott Pendlebury said the Pies need to harden up — and the Herald Sun has the numbers to support him.

Nathan Buckley’s defensive system has been made to resemble Swiss cheese, with Champion Data statistics laying bare the fragility that is sabotaging the Pies’ season.

No team gets scored against as easily from rival possession chains starting in the defensive 50m as Collingwood.

The Pies can also be revealed as one of the poorest tackling sides in the AFL.

With the ball, they give up nearly five goals a game from turnovers in their forward half.

“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,” Pendlebury told the Herald Sun after Sunday’s loss to Port Adelaide.

Collingwood concedes an average 21.7 points each week from defensive 50m chains — the equivalent of coast-to-coast scoring — the most in the AFL and more than St Kilda, Essendon and the Brisbane Lions.

The AFL average is 16.2.

In Round 3, St Kilda scored 51 of its 119 points carrying the ball untouched from its backline.

Jesse White is unable to lay a tackle on Port Adelaide speedster Jake Neade. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

On Sunday the Power scored 48 of their 125 with possession chains starting in the Pies’ attacking 50m and they repeatedly got in behind the Collingwood zone.

“Sides have been trying to do that to us the last three weeks, but we’ve defended pretty well,” Buckley said.

“Ultimately we threw a number behind the ball midway through that second quarter just to try and stem the tide because we weren’t defending in the manner we had been.

“We tried to make some structural alterations, but in the end you’re shuffling deckchairs to try and make up for that outnumber(ing) around the ball and the lack of contest when we had numbers. We just weren’t able to win enough of those contests.”

Overall, the Pies rank only 16th when it comes to defending opposition ball movement. Collingwood has become very easy to play against.

The Magpies attempt 112 tackles per game, ranked No.2, but they only stick 66 per cent of them — ranked 13th.

That might be a lack of desire, it might not be. If it’s not, it’s a lack technique and/or strength.

The Pies average six and a half missed tackles a game — easily the most in the AFL.

In 11 games they’ve missed 72 — 12 more than any other side. And when we say “missed”, it’s missing the lot.

Opposition players are slipping through Collingwood’s grasp. A bit like their finals hopes unless something drastically changes.

COME ON THROUGH

Ave points conceded from defensive 50m chains

Collingwood — 21.7

St Kilda — 21.6

Essendon — 20.4

Brisbane Lions — 19.2

Port Adelaide — 18.2

Melbourne — 17.6

Adelaide — 17.2

GWS Giants — 17.2

Richmond — 16.1

North Melbourne — 15.3

Western Bulldogs — 15

Hawthorn — 15

Gold Coast — 14.8

Carlton —14.6

Geelong — 13.5

West Coast — 12.4

Fremantle — 10.9

Sydney — 10.8

Average — 16.2

Source: CHAMPION DATA