Collingwood changed its style since win over Geelong but there’s plenty to do to make AFL finals

IN a season of close shaves Collingwood’s mid-season report can be measured in two halves. Call it Before Geelong; and Geelong and Thereafter, writes GLENN McFARLANE.

THE transformation has started, but has it come too late?

In a season in which Nathan Buckley pinned finals to his future and the Magpies enacted an extensive club review, Collingwood’s first half of 2017 has been a tale of what ifs and missed opportunities.

BUCKS: NOT ONLY PIES’ CALL

The ledger is five wins, seven losses, but if a couple of those narrows defeats (GWS and Melbourne) had been wins, it would have been a different story.

The fact remains, it isn’t, and that’s an ongoing concern.

The average losing margin has been just over 13 points, with the Magpies the only team not to have lost a game by four goals or more. Yet as competitive as they have been, they still sit well outside the top eight with a second-half draw rated the hardest by Champion Data.

“We are definitely playing more consistently across the four quarters, and if we do that in the last 10 rounds we will worry a few and give ourselves a chance,” Buckley said.

“We are one of the most consistent sides in the competition. We have used 29 or 30 players over the last seven weeks. It doesn’t matter who is in or who is out, we have been as consistent as any.”

In many ways, Collingwood’s mid-season report can be measured — excuse the pun — in two halves. Call it Before Geelong; and Geelong and Thereafter.

A happy Nathan Buckley (right) gets a hug from son Jett while other son Ayce looks at dad with a big smile after Collingwood beat Geelong. Pic: Michael Klein

There has been a notable game style/ball movement change since Round 6 win over the Cats.

In the first five weeks the Magpies used the boundary line the second most of any side coming out of defence, and used the corridor the least.

In the seven games since, they are 17th for using the boundary and fourth in the corridor. It has almost been a complete flip.

The upshot is that bit more dare has breathed new life into an attack that had appeared barren and dysfunctional. The club’s scores have since jumped from 76 points on average in the first five weeks to 98 points in the games since.

Jamie Elliott’s 20 goals from eight appearances have helped, though they desperately need him back from his latest setback. Better ball movement has helped an attack that is slowly gaining in confidence, including Darcy Moore (15 goals) and Alex Fasolo (16).

The new look defence is holding together at the moment. Jeremy Howe is in All-Australian form, Lynden Dunn has added experience, and the club’s half backs are taking the game on more.

The midfield is outstanding with Scott Pendlebury, Adam Treloar, Taylor Adams, Steele Sidebottom and others, playing important roles.

Yet the club’s off-season recruiting strategy is even more contentious than it was at the time, with Daniel Wells still battling with his body and Chris Mayne looking like an early bust.

Overall, the promise is there, just not yet the execution. There simply needs to be more wins and fewer honourable losses in the back stretch. Only that can save the coach, as well as save the club from yet another forgettable season.

Jeremy Howe is in All-Australian form. Picture: Mark Stewart

ROBBO SAYS:

THE most intriguing team in the competition, led by coach Nathan Buckley.

Biggest loss has been by just 23 points, so the Magpies’ confidence should be strong. Tinker here, get best team on the park and avoid going missing in games, and the Pies can be dangerous.

Still, the question is about the coach and whether he gets another contract. Six weeks ago he was probably gone. Today, there has to be a rethink. In 10 weeks’ time, who knows? Big 10 weeks for a few a people at Collingwood.

A CLOSER LOOK AT THE PIES:

MONEY MAN

SCOTT PENDLEBURY. Sometimes judged too harshly due to his own lofty standards, the Magpie skipper has once more been outstanding. He must now be a serious chance of equalling Nathan Buckley’s record of six Copeland Trophies at season’s end.

STOCKS RISING

BRAYDEN MAYNARD: An important piece in the Magpies’ future road map, the 20-year-old is starting to reward his coach’s patience. Has always been tough and tenacious, but Maynard has cleaned up his disposal efficiency by keeping it simple.

GONE BACKWARDS

CHRIS MAYNE: The former Docker hoped a fresh start at Collingwood might kickstart his career, but he has hardly got off the starting grid. Has managed only three games and been modest at best in six VFL matches. The Magpies need much more from a player signed to a four-year $500,000 per season deal.

Chris Mayne is yet to fire at the Pies. Picture: George Salpigtidis

SEASON SNAPSHOT

POSITION: 11th

WINS: 5. LOSSES: 7. — 101.7%

LAST YEAR: 12TH

STORY SO FAR

R1 Western Bulldogs L14

R2 Richmond L19

R3 Sydney W1

R4 St Kilda L14

R5 Essendon L18

R6 Geelong W29

R7 Carlton L23

R8 Greater Western Sydney L3

R9 Hawthorn W18

R10 Brisbane Lions W45

R11 Fremantle W20

R12 Melbourne L4

THE RUN HOME

R14 Port Adelaide MCG

R15 Hawthorn MCG

R16 Essendon MCG

R17 Gold Coast MS

R18 West Coast ES

R19 Adelaide MCG

R20 North Melbourne ES

R21 Port Adelaide AO

R22 Geelong MCG

R23 Melbourne MCG

Daniel Wells has added something when he’s been fit. Pic: Michael Klein

LEADERS OF THE PACK

SUPERCOACH POINTS (ave)

Scott Pendlebury 112

Taylor Adams 107

Adam Treloar 106

Brodie Grundy 96

Jeremy Howe 95

DISPOSALS

Adam Treloar 30.5

Taylor Adams 30.1

Scott Pendlebury 28.4

Steele Sidebottom 27.4

Jeremy Howe 21.3

KICK RATING

Scott Pendlebury +11.3%

Brayden Maynard +5.7%

Jeremy Howe +5.1%

Daniel Wells +4.7%

Tom Phillips +4.5%

CONT. POSSESSIONS

Scott Pendlebury 12.4

Taylor Adams 12.3

Adam Treloar 11.5

Brodie Grundy 9.8

Jarryd Blair 7.7

UNCONT. POSSESSIONS

Steele Sidebottom 20.2

Adam Treloar 18.2

Taylor Adams 17.9

Josh Smith 17.2

Scott Pendlebury 15.9

Taylor Adams has stepped up in 2017. Picture: Getty Images

METRES GAINED

Adam Treloar 431m

Scott Pendlebury 400m

Taylor Adams 370m

Jeremy Howe 368m

Steele Sidebottom 366m

INTERCEPT POSSESSIONS

Jeremy Howe 8.5

Lynden Dunn 7.0

Tyson Goldsack 6.5

Ben Reid 5.6

Brayden Maynard 4.9

SCORE INVOLVEMENTS

Scott Pendlebury 8.4

Taylor Adams 8.0

Adam Treloar 6.9

Steele Sidebottom 6.9

Daniel Wells 6.2

PRESSURE POINTS

Scott Pendlebury 55.3

Taylor Adams 52.8

Adam Treloar 49.5

Jack Crisp 39.5

Steele Sidebottom 38.9

GOALS

Jamie Elliott 20

Alex Fasolo 16

Darcy Moore 15

Will Hoskin-Elliott 11

Steele Sidebottom 11

Source: CHAMPION DATA

Swan Sam Reid would add to the Pies’ front half. Picture: George Salpigtidis

TRADING PLACES

COMING?

After being linked to but missing out on Josh Schache, Collingwood needs a key forward to help Darcy Moore and has been linked to out-of-contract Swan Sam Reid. The brother of swingman Ben Reid, the Swans forward is a free agent and would be a perfect fit to help take the pressure off Darcy Moore. Given the family connection that would surely put the Magpies in the box seat to secure Reid should he decide to leave Sydney. A key defender and experienced back-up ruckman should also be on the shopping list.

GOING?

Will the Magpies persist with Jesse White? He will return this weekend, most likely in the VFL, after hurting his hamstring and has a huge back half of the season coming up to show he still has something to offer. And what about Jarryd Blair? A premiership player who signed a one-year deal at the end of last year but has been in and out of the side.

FINALS ANALYSIS

Odds for eight: $3.50

Odds for flag: $51

It’s going to be hard from here. Champion Data has rated Collingwood as having the hardest draw in the back stretch. Its percentage is still healthy, which would help if the Magpies can finish with a surge, but it faces Adelaide, Port Adelaide (twice), Geelong, Melbourne and West Coast in the run home.