AFL round 9: Collingwood inspired by speech from Beau McCreery’s mum

Craig McRae decided to let someone else do the talking prior to Collingwood’s big win over GWS. But one young Pie became very nervous when his mum walked out to greet the players. Watch here.

McCreery mum speech pies v giants

Collingwood coach Craig McRae turned to a secret weapon to rev his side up for its clash against GWS on Sunday, Beau McCreery’s mum.

The Magpies took home the four points on Mother’s Day at the MCG with a convincing win over the Giants.

Prior to the win McRae enlisted Julie McCreery, mum of Beau, to speak to his side.

With a nervous Beau looking on, Julie gave the Collingwood players a good old fashioned rev-up.

"When in front of the goals, MAKE IT COUNT!"

Beau McCreery's Mum, Julie, delivered one of the all-time great pre-match speeches ahead of our 65-point win against GWS 🤍 pic.twitter.com/gCX8iQN8LN

— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) May 15, 2023

And the Magpies players loved it, with cheers at the end of every one of her sentences.

“Righto boys. First of all I just want to thank you so much for the hard work that you have done this season, going out there and doing your best, playing exciting footy and winning,” she said.

“You make us all so proud and what a special day today in front of in front of all your beautiful mums and partners on Mother’s Day.

“We are going to be out there so go out there and make us proud, believe in yourselves, believe in each other, chase that ball, tackle hard, win those contests and in front of the goals make it count.

“And when you do, blow your mummas a kiss so go out there and rip it up boys.”

MASON MASTERCLASS SPURS PIES TO CRUSHING WIN

A Mason Cox masterclass has helped Collingwood thump Greater Western Sydney by 65 points at the MCG on Sunday evening as the Magpies maintained their grip on top spot on the ladder.

Collingwood fans had to check the date on their phones to make sure it was in fact May 2023, and not September 2018, as Cox channelled the same energy that saw him singlehandedly dismantle Richmond five years ago in a preliminary final.

And while Cox wasn’t as devastating as he was on that famous night, he was the most influential man on the ground against the Giants, and set up the Pies’ 18.12 (120) to 7.13 (55) win with a dominant first half.

The big American finished with 19 disposals, nine marks (four contested) 25 hitouts and two goals — one of which was a long-range converted set shot from 50m out early in the second quarter. That goal was part of a run of five consecutive majors which saw the Pies shoot out to a 38-point lead and effectively ended the contest early.

Mason Cox was the star of the show. Picture: Michael Klein

Magpies players sing the team song with their mothers. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Cox was well supported by Jordan De Goey and Tom Mitchell who were also instrumental when the game was up for grabs. De Goey had 31 touches (12 contested), seven clearances and a goal, while Mitchell racked up 36 disposals (12 contested).

Nick Daicos (41) had his usual glut of disposals, the bulk of which were amassed after the match was decided, while Nathan Murphy produced another superb display in defence.

Collingwood got off to a flying start, kicking four of the first five goals, including a pair to Bobby Hill, on the back of exquisite forward efficiency.

The first 16 inside 50s were split 8-8, but the Pies found themselves 16 points up as they looked far more dangerous when entering their attacking zone.

Collingwood’s slick ball movement tore the Giants to shreds and the Pies’ lead quickly exploded beyond six goals.

Cox does the roving and sets up De Goey.#AFLPiesGiantspic.twitter.com/45IZ04jgbC

— AFL (@AFL) May 14, 2023

GWS responded with four of the next five scoring shots, but could only manage 1.3 as Collingwood’s polish and skill continued to trump the Giants’ admirable effort levels.

But the Magpies went almost half an hour of playing time without a goal as GWS put the brakes on their dangerous transition game. However, during that lengthy drought for the Pies, the Giants could only manage to trim deficit to 27 points.

The third quarter went goal-for-goal for the most part, as Collingwood kept the visitors at bay before kicking seven of the last eight majors to ensure their biggest win over GWS since their first ever meeting in 2012 (120 points).

Jordan De Goey celebrates a goal. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

GINNIVAN SOCCERS IT HOME

The highlight of Collingwood’s big win came early in the final quarter when Jack Ginnivan pounced on a loose ball 45m out from goal and soccered it forward. And whether he meant it or not, the ball kept bouncing towards a vacant goal square and ultimately his second goal. Only Ginnivan will know if it was intentional, but regardless, it certainly was spectacular and sent the Pies fans into raptures. Afterwards, he turned to the crowd and signalled a love heart with his hands, presumably in honour of his mum on Mother’s Day.

Ginnivan off the deck!#AFLPiesGiantspic.twitter.com/vdaCWsuvHg

— AFL (@AFL) May 14, 2023

EARLY BOBBY BLITZ

Playing his first game against old club GWS, and in his 50th AFL game, Collingwood goalsneak Bobby Hill wanted to get off to a good start, and he did just that by kicking the first goal in sensational fashion. Under pressure from Giants defender Nick Haynes, and hemmed in on the boundary line in the forward pocket, Hill opted for the curling dribbler from the impossible angle, and managed to split the big sticks. Thirteen minutes later, he doubled his goal tally with an impressive snap set shot from the same pocket.

A Bobby beauty to kick things off!#AFLPiesGiantspic.twitter.com/5SH5iXzdhM

— AFL (@AFL) May 14, 2023

HUNGRY PIES

Collingwood’s pressure was a huge feature of their big win. They battered the Giants in the first half to convincingly lead the tackle count 34-13 before comfortably winning the stat 63-29. Ash Johnson, Hill and Taylor Adams set the tone for the Pies with six tackles apiece

SCOREBOARD

MAGPIES 5.1, 9.4, 13.8, 18.12 (120)

GIANTS 2.4, 3.8, 6.9, 7.13 (55)

LERNER’S BEST
Magpies: Cox, De Goey, Mitchell, N.Daicos, Murphy, Sidebottom, J.Daicos.
Giants: Kelly, Ash, Coniglio, Callaghan, Green, Hogan, Haynes.

GOALS
Magpies: Elliott 3, Hill 2, Mihocek 2, Ginnivan 2, Cox 2, McCreery 2, Hoskin-Elliott 2, Johnson, De Goey, J.Daicos.
Giants: Hogan 3, Callaghan, O’Halloran, Ash, Kelly.

UMPIRES Haussen, Nicholls, Chamberlain, Young

VENUE MCG

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

LERNER’S VOTES

3 Mason Cox (Coll)

2 Jordan De Goey (Coll)

1 Tom Mitchell (Coll)

Originally published as AFL round 9: Collingwood inspired by speech from Beau McCreery’s mum