Collingwood’s Brodie Grundy might face MRP strife over late bump in JLT win over Western Bulldogs

MRP watch, a potential SuperCoach star and plenty of eye-catchers. Collingwood tuned up for Round 1 with an impressive come-from-behind win over the Western Bulldogs. GLENN McFARLANE’s key take-outs for both teams.

Mason Cox celebrates one of his four goals with Ben Reid. Pic: Getty Images

COLLINGWOOD earned a confidence-boosting win in its JLT Series clash with the Western Bulldogs but the Pies might be forced to sweat on the availability of a couple of stars.

The AFL’s match review chief Michael Christian will at least have a look at two incidents from Collingwood’s impressive 33-point win at Moe.

Brodie Grundy’s late bump on Tory Dickson during the second quarter is certain to attract attention. Fortunately, for the Collingwood ruckman, Dickson was able to come back on the field after receiving some treatment.

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An off-the-field clash between Travis Varcoe and Hayden Crozier, when the Bulldog defender went down late in the game, might also attract attention.

HOWE MANY MOORE?

Expect plenty of sky-scraping marks in the Collingwood defence if yesterday’s Moe outing was any indication. The two Magpie defenders returning from preseason injuries — Darcy Moore (achilles) and Jeremy Howe (calf) — flew constantly, and dragged down some big grabs. Moore was channelling his famous father Peter — in flowing locks at least — and looked at home in his new defensive slot. And not to be outdone, Howe used a few Bulldogs’ forwards as stepladders, as if to give a reminder he has perennial rights on mark-of-the-day nominations.

What’s a Pies game without a Jeremy Howe hanger? Pic: Michael Klein

THOMAS’ TIME

Collingwood stuck by Josh Thomas through a two-year drugs ban and a long-running battle with his body — and might be ready to finally reap the rewards. The 26-year-old played the final nine games last year, but looks set to pay back the Magpies for their patience in 2018. He was important in the midfield early yesterday after a flawless preseason and showed he can have a more lasting impact this year.

Nathan Buckley has confirmed Jamie Elliott and Daniel Wells won't play Round 1 against Hawthorn, following the Magpies' morale-boosting win over the Bulldogs at Moe.

— Glenn McFarlane (@MaccaHeraldSun) March 10, 2018

FORWARD TURNAROUND

It looked like the same old Collingwood after a wasteful first term — at one stage of the first 20 minutes of this game their scoreline was locked on 1.10. It was enough to induce more than the usual teeth gnashing of Magpie fans. But the next three terms delivered a better efficiency. Mason Cox ended up with four goals in a solid display in attack, Ben Reid kicked two goals and the midfielders were able to clean up their entry inside 50m. It is still a work in progress, but at least the Magpies were able to turn it around.

Sam Murray showed dash from half back. Pic: Getty Images

SAM STEPS UP

Those who have been toying with former Swan Sam Murray as a defensive cheapie in SuperCoach would have pleased with the efforts of the rebounding halfback. The left-footer appears a lock for the Magpies’ Round 1 side, after a solid performance in his first competitive game in black and white. He ran the ball well out of defence, had 24 disposals, and on several occasions launched deep into Collingwood’s attack. Jayden Stephenson is not a lock for Round 1 after showing a few positive signs, but must be somewhere in the mix.

ROUGHY IN THE WARS

No one would have excused Jordan Roughead for bringing a premature end to his afternoon. Twice in the opening term, the Bulldogs ruckman was forced from the field. First he seemed to hurt his groin. He had some treatment before returning soon after, only to be cleaned up again later in the term. The brave big man played out the rest of the half before the Bulldogs opted to take the conservative approach with him and rest him after halftime.

LIBBA RATED

For much of the game, this was Tom Liberatore 2016-style. He hunted, extracted, tackled, chased and, above all else, looked as if his mind is firmly back on footy. It wasn’t as if he had a gap year last season, but his fall from grace mirrored that of his club. He looked a different player from the outset, and gave the Bulldogs plenty of drive.

WHERE WILL WOOD PLAY?

Could the Bulldogs be ready to pull the pin on the Easton Wood forward experiment before the season has started? A decision will be made in the next week or so as Luke Beveridge looks to the best structure to take on the Giants in Round 1. The quality of entries into the forward 50m wouldn’t have helped him in Moe, but for the second week in a row, the premiership defender and skipper had minimal impact in attack. He bagged two goals, but had only five disposals as the Dogs struggled in attack and lacked a little presence in defence.

Josh Schache clears under pressure. Picture: Michael Klein

SCHACHE NOT READY

New Bulldog forward Josh Schache isn’t ready to play Round 1, according to Brownlow medallist Adam Cooney, following a modest second-up performance yesterday. The former Lion sat out the first quarter, but could muster only four touches — and no goals — in the next three terms. One real positive for the Dogs was the form of Jackson Trengove, who had 24 touches and stepped up when Roughead was given a spell in the second half.

NAUGHT, NO RISK

Aaron Naughton was the SuperCoach buzz player of the week after the Bulldogs draftee turned in a strong performance against the Hawks. Well, there is no reason to drop off him after another impressive effort against the Magpies. He played well for the Dogs in the back half, with his intercept work being a feature, and he looks a lock for Round 1 selection.

SCOREBOARD

COLLINGWOOD 1.5 5.13 8.16 16.17 (113) def WESTERN BULLDOGS 6.2 7.4 9.7 12.8 (80)

Goals: Collingwood: M Cox 4 T Varcoe 3 B Reid 2 A Treloar B Grundy C Brown J Thomas S Sidebottom T Adams T Phillips. Western Bulldogs: M Bontempelli 3 E Wood 2 L Jong 2 B Gowers J Dunkley J Johannissen L Dahlhaus T Liberatore.

Venue: Ted Summerton Reserve.