Collingwood's Biggest Weapon | Thebigtip

To be a premiership contender, one thing that every team needs to possess is multiple 'weapons'. These weapons are traits and tactics that the team has become renowned for, consistently being able to inject them into games when staring in the face of adversity.

With a second premiership looking likely for a miserly Collingwood outfit that has looked dominant all year, despite sitting one game behind ladder-leaders Geelong, Collingwood have developed a new weapon during their 2011 campaign.

In each of Collingwood's twelve games so far this season, the Magpies have developed the ability to 'flick the switch' and pile on goals at crucial times. This skill has been the difference between the Magpies being a decent side and the magnificent side that they are.

Below is a breakdown of Collingwood's dominant periods during each game this season. The time which the dominant patches occur varies from game to game but generally makes all the difference when the final siren sounds. As you will see, the Magpies' ability to blaze away from their opponents with little trouble is what flips the game on its head, generally resulting in a Collingwood victory.


Round 1: vs. Port Adelaide (Magpies by 75-points)
Scores for: 10.6.66
Scores against: 1.2.8

Round 2: vs. North Melbourne (Magpies by 87-points)
Scores for: 7.4.46
Scores against: 1.3.9

Round 3: vs. Carlton (Magpies by 28-points)
Scores for: 4.4.28
Scores against: 0.1.1

Round 4: vs. Richmond (Magpies by 71-points)
Scores for: 9.5.59
Scores against: 1.2.8

Round 5: vs. Essendon (Magpies by 30-points)
Scores for: 5.2.32
Scores against: 0.3.3

Round 6: vs. Western Bulldogs (Magpies by 48-points)
Scores for: 8.2.50
Scores against: 0.2.2

Round 8: vs. Geelong (Cats by 3-points)
Scores for: 4.2.26
Scores against: 0.0.0

Round 9: vs. Adelaide (Magpies by 43-points)
Scores for: 11.2.68
Scores against: 0.2.2

Round 10: vs. West Coast (Magpies by 52-points)
Scores for: 6.1.37
Scores against: 0.1.1

Round 11: vs. St Kilda (Magpies by 57-points)
Scores for: 5.2.32
Scores against: 0.1.1

Round 12: vs. Melbourne (Magpies by 88-points)
Scores for: 8.3.51
Scores against: 0.0.0

Round 14: vs. Sydney (Magpies by 6-points)
Scores for: 5.8.38
Scores against: 0.5.5


Looking at those numbers and the final margins of each game, a pattern quickly emerges.

When you combine Collingwood's ability to put on scoreboard pressure at a rapid rate with multiple goal kickers, a dominant midfield, intense defensive pressure and incredible zoning, the Magpies look like a threatening squad.

As Collingwood continue on their merry way to September, this weapon will play a pivotal role in their pursuit of back-to-back premierships. If they can continue dishing up dominant patches throughout games as they have been doing thus far, there is no doubt that they will be contesting for the flag in October.