By Peter Ryan, Jon Pierik and Russell Bennett
In today’s AFL briefing, your daily wrap of football news:
- Scott Pendlebury opens up about a heartbreaking end to the Magpies’ season.
- Don Pyke has all but pulled out of the Essendon coaching race.
- The wash-up from the VFL grand final.
- And Max Holmes has taken to the track in his bid for grand-final selection.
Pendlebury opens up on Magpies’ season
Peter Ryan
The first three words Collingwood skipper Scott Pendlebury could find in the rooms less than an hour after the siren sounded with the Magpies one point behind Sydney summed up the emotions floating through black-and-white veins.
“Heartbroken, devastated, proud,” Pendlebury said.
The champion Magpie had finished the game with 29 touches, including nine in an epic, tense last quarter, having been Collingwood’s best player from start to finish as they attempted to reach their second grand final in five seasons.
“It was an incredible game to be a part of and we were just on the wrong side,” Pendlebury said.
“I am really proud of what we dished up ... even though it did not go our way I felt like we went down swinging.”
The Magpies charged back from 36 points down to lose by the smallest of margins, having lost the 2019 preliminary final by four points and the 2018 grand final by five points.
This time they found themselves fighting for a spot in the grand final after finishing 17th in 2021 and appointing rookie senior coach Craig McRae. They played a style of football that excited fans with their swift ball movement and capacity to keep coming when the game looked lost.
Scott Pendlebury.was the key reason the Magpies experienced an epic 2022Credit: AFL Photos
“I feel like this group is capable of something pretty special in the not too distant future. It hurts now and we will rally around each other but our will to keep going and keep attacking was phenomenal,” Pendlebury said. “We almost pinched it.”
Playing in his 28th final, Pendlebury has now played in a draw and been on the winning team in just one win in his five finals decided by a goal or less. However, he saw past his disappointment to predict a bright future under McRae.
“This group has taken so many steps forward. The worst thing you can do in footy – and it hurts so much – is to not even be a part of games like this,” Pendlebury said.
“Our boys will be so much better for the experience. Of course, you would love to win a prelim and go through to a grand final but not to be.”
Eventually, in thongs and shorts, looking like he had woken up and strolled up the street to grab coffee, he summed up what those surrounding him were feeling.: “The Collingwood army leaves Sydney heartbroken but really proud.”
Hird’s bid to return to Essendon strengthened after Pyke pulls out
Jon Pierik
James Hird’s bid to reclaim the Essendon coaching role has strengthened, after Don Pyke all but pulled out of the race.
Pyke, the former Adelaide Crows coach and now Swans assistant, said he had spoken with the Bombers but would not participate in the next stage.
“I’m really enjoying what I’m doing here (in Sydney),” Pyke told ABC radio.
Don Pyke has all but pulled out of the race for the Essendon coaching role.Credit: Getty Images
“You come across to a club you haven’t been associated with, and I’ve been fortunate to join at an exciting time. I had a chat to the Bombers but, at this stage, I’m not pursuing that.”
Pyke’s decision will help Hird’s bid for the role, for not only is it one less candidate, but Pyke - despite a controversial stint as Crows coach - has the experience of guiding the club into the 2017 grand final.
Hird has been interviewed by the Bombers, and is firmly in hunt to rejoin a club he left in disarray in 2015 after the supplements scandal tore the club apart.
His former premiership teammate Dean Solomon, along with senior experienced assistant coaches Adem Yze and Brendon Lade, are also vying for the role.
Brad Scott, the former North Melbourne coach and current AFL football operations manager, is also under consideration but is not going through the initial interviewing phase.
Club president Dave Barham wants the new coach named by the end of the month.
Casey vanquishes their demons for VFL glory
Russell Bennett
It was only fitting that Casey skipper Mitch White left Ikon Park with the Norm Goss Medal draped around his neck yesterday afternoon after spurring his side on to vanquish their September demons.
Melbourne’s VFL affiliate rose to the occasion to defeat the Southport Sharks by 32 points, 10.10 (70) to 5.8 (38), in the wintry wet to claim a famous win in front of the red and blue faithful.
It marked their first premiership win since 1999, having suffered the recent pain of defeat in both 2016 and 2018.
Casey coach Mark Corrigan and skipper Mitch White hold the premiership cup aloft.Credit: AFL Photos
Melbourne forward Jake Melksham’s class was telling as he slotted four majors - including a set shot from beyond the 50-metre arc - in the at-times torrid conditions.
He finished with 16 disposals and had a huge influence on the contest, while fellow AFL-listed Demon Mitch Brown also booted two goals.
But Tom McDonald, an AFL premiership player in another drought-breaking year for the Demons last season, was agonisingly forced to miss out due to injury.
White, though, was a standout for Casey yesterday from start to finish - recording 29 touches, eight clearances, and a whopping 13 tackles.
Former St Kilda hard-nut Luke Dunstan also had a telling impact with 31 touches, eight clearances, and nine tackles of his own, while Southport’s Boyd Woodcock - who played 12 AFL games with Port Adelaide over a three-year period - was the leading possession-winner on the ground with 32.
Jake Melksham celebrates a goal in the VFL grand final.Credit: AFL Photos
Jacob Townsend, who played 62 AFL games across stints at Greater Western Sydney, Richmond, Essendon, and Gold Coast, was Southport’s lone multiple goal-scorer with two.
After Southport jumped to an early lead, Taj Woewodin showed some impressive composure 40 metres from goal to kickstart Casey with an impressive major.
But the Queensland side was up for the fight and trailed by just six points at the main break.
A late Townsend goal in the closing stages of the third term set up a grandstand finish, but the Demons had the answers right when they needed them most - kicking away late to win by 32.
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