Collingwood: The Quarter-Time Review | Thebigtip

Collingwood has reached the quarter time of its premiership defence in 2011. With a bye in round seven, it is the perfect time to cast a quick review over the opening six rounds.

It has been a very interesting start to the year for the Magpies. At times they have lacked the same intensity as in 2010, they are yet to string together a really solid four-quarter performance and have a number of players struggling to find their best form. Yet, they sit undefeated at the top of the ladder with a whopping percentage of 178. So on the surface it is hard to be critical. Nonetheless, Malthouse will use the bye to address a few worrying habits that have crept into the Magpies game over the last month. The main issue would be third quarter fade-outs.

To date, the bye has proven to be a hindrance to most clubs, however I believe it comes at the perfect time for Collingwood. A few niggling injuries have crept into the side over the last few weeks to players such as Tarrant, Dawes, Jolly, Johnson and O’Brien, whilst guys like Sidebottom and Blair were probably due for a rest anyway.

Over the first six rounds, only a handful of players have improved or carried their form through from 2010. Heath Shaw has perhaps been Collingwood’s most consistent player along with Scott Pendlebury and Dane Swan who continue to rack up huge numbers on the stat sheet. I also think Jarryd Blair and Dayne Beams have improved their games significantly over the off-season. Chris Dawes started the season like a house on fire, but has dropped off over the last fortnight. Travis Cloke has been very impressive and leads the competition for marks. He is also proving to be a much more accurate shot on goal so far. Ben Johnson has also sustained his terrific form and continues to defy his critics.

On the other hand, a number of players are yet to find their best form. In particular, Alan Didak and Nick Maxwell spring to mind as two players who are suffering from interrupted pre-seasons. Maxwell looks off the pace and hesitant with the ball in his hands, which is understandable considering the horrific kidney injury he sustained. Didak on the other hand was rarely sighted over the pre-season and is still trying to find peak fitness to once again push into the midfield.

The major change to Collingwood’s structure has been the movement of Leon Davis into the backline. Over the past fortnight, he has played two terrific games in this position, yet has still been able to move forward during stages of the match.

Chris Tarrant has improved with every game he has played. There is no doubt it has taken him a while to adjust to Collingwood’s defensive structures and his early season form was not his best. However, he was fantastic against Essendon and Carlton and has solidified the defence in the absence of Nathan Brown.

Collingwood’s other big recruit over the pre-season was Andrew Krakouer. His form has been patchy and Malthouse has managed his game-time significantly. However, he seemingly ran into form last week against the Western Bulldogs and played his best game to date for the Magpies. I get the feeling that he will also get better as the season goes on. He is a fantastic crumber and will enjoy the feeds he gets off Dawes and Cloke.

The Magpies will face their biggest challenge to date after the bye in round eight when they face the Cats in a blockbuster top of the table clash. I expect Geelong to also be undefeated leading into this game. Despite Collingwood’s dominance over Geelong in the preliminary final last year, the Cats are playing very differently and seem to be much fitter. To win this match, Collingwood has to lift its intensity and put in a stronger four-quarter performance.

To date, the Magpies have rarely moved out of second gear. Yet the winning margins have still been significant. When challenged, Collingwood has been able to lift a gear and put teams away. This would be a very pleasing sign for Malthouse to see his side rise to challenges like this. In the previous two weeks, Essendon and Western Bulldogs have been within a kick of the lead in the last quarter, yet have lost by 28 and 48 points respectively. Richmond also saw a 4 goal deficit turn into a 12 goal deficit in the space of one quarter.

This tells me that the Magpies are not stringing four-quarter of solid footy together. Yet it also tells me that Collingwood is the fittest team in the competition right now. Although many may have believed that the substitute rule would have affected the high rotation policy, it seems the fitness levels of Collingwood players are shining above and beyond that of its opponents.

Perhaps the only concern for Collingwood is the lesser depth it has in its VFL stocks. The VFL side has been far from impressive early in the season and is suffering from the retirements of so many senior players. Nonetheless, Macaffer, Goldsack, McCarthy, Keefe and Fasolo continue to stake their claims, whilst Cameron Wood has been a reliable backup for Darren Jolly in the ruck.

It might sound as if I am trying to keep a lid on things, and perhaps I am. However, I truly believe Collingwood is yet to hit its full straps. This is no doubt a good thing as no side wants to be playing its best footy in April/May. The key will be to build into the season and run hot towards September. Collingwood has its next bye in round 13 which is again nicely placed.

Regardless, it has been a massive start to the year for the Magpies. Already, the Magpies have put the NAB Cup into the trophy cabinet, along with the Bob Rose, ANZAC Day and Peter McCallum trophies.