Collingwood’s recent struggles stem from league-worst centre clearance rate
Essendon great Matthew Lloyd said they had the greatest midfield the game has seen but Collingwood’s engine room has stalled. Jay Clark reveals the horror statistic that should have Pies’ fans very worried.
Collingwood
Don't miss out on the headlines from Collingwood. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Collingwood will attempt to revive its centre clearance work in a bid to hang on to a top-two spot against Hawthorn on Friday night.
After Saturday’s loss to North Melbourne, the Magpies have the worst centre clearance rate in the competition (average -3.2 a game) since Round 6 according to Champion Data after losing injured on-ballers Taylor Adams and Dayne Beams.
Nathan Buckley’s men have only won the centre clearance count once in the past eight matches, against the Sydney Swans.
Essendon great Matthew Lloyd said in March the current Magpies’ midfield was the “deepest and best midfield the game has ever seen”.
But Collingwood was hammered in centre clearances 6-13 in the 44-point thrashing from a much hungrier North Melbourne on Saturday night at Marvel Stadium.
The Magpies were down two players in the loss with Ben Reid (calf) and Brayden Sier (concussion) unable to play in the second half.
But it doesn’t excuse the lack of physicality and intensity around the ball as coach Buckley attempts to rediscover the missing spark before Friday night’s clash against fourth-last Hawthorn at the MCG.
MORE PIES:
AFL 2019: In demand Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy puts contract talks on hold
AFL 2019: Nathan Buckley says Bulldogs win was ‘the worst’ Collingwood have ‘played for a long time’
Asked what Buckley must address first this week, he said “the combative elements of the game”.
“We’re embarrassed by that performance,” Buckley said.
“That's as big a shellacking in general play that you'll see in a game of footy.
“The white flag went up from us.
“If you look at all of the things that we value in the way we've gone about our footy, we didn't see it today at all. It's inexplicable, to be honest.
“It’s not something we saw coming and it's not something we thought we were capable of.”
Adams will attempt to prove his fitness at training this week, while clearance winner Sier is also in doubt after copping a knock to the head against the Roos.
Forward Jamie Elliott will also face a test after missing the past six matches with another hamstring setback.
The centre clearance woes highlights how much the Pies have missed Adams since the club’s top centre clearance winner (2.8 a game) went down against Port Adelaide with an adductor injury.
But the centre clearance demise remains a surprise considering the abundance of talent led by superstar ruckman Brodie Grundy in the Magpies’ engine room.
Since Round 6, Collingwood’s top centre clearance winners are Adam Treloar, 26 (18), Grundy, 25 (15) and captain Scott Pendlebury, 31 (11).
Buckley’s headaches aren’t limited to the middle, however, considering last year’s grand finalists have lost more quarters (18) than they have won (15) since its Round 6 win over Essendon on Anzac Day.
But Lloyd said there was plenty of time for Collingwood to sharpen up before the finals.
“I think they can (turn it around). I would rather be in this position right here and now where Nathan Buckley is addressing things before it gets too late,” Lloyd said on Channel 9 yesterday.
The Magpies’ total score of 37 points was their worst offensive performance since Round 5, 1995.
Buckley wants a better effort in the clinches in the run home after admitting some of his players “got out of the way” against a harder North Melbourne outfit on Saturday night.
“It's the first time in a long time we've seen some average physical efforts,” Buckley said.
“It was plain for all to see. There was one side that bodylined the ball and ran hard and straight. Then there was another side that got out of the way a few times.
“It's not easy to say, but it's the reality. There's a question that rightfully should be asked.”
COLD PIES
(Since Round 6)
Quarters Won: 15 — 7th fewest
Quarters Lost: 18 — 5th most
MIDDLE MUDDLE
Average Centre Clearance Differential: -3.2 — last
Browne to step down — but which Pies lifer will replace him?
Collingwood president Jeff Browne will depart the club at the end of the year, with the club already sounding out its replacement. Here’s who is in line to take up the big job at the Pies.
‘Crazy brave’ or reckless? Old Pies’ massive trade gamble
Collingwood has the oldest list in the AFL and is again shunning the draft in favour of chasing free agents and older trade targets as its youth flounders. Are they flying too close to the sun?