How To Beat The Magpies | Thebigtip

The ANZAC Day clash again proved to be a candidate for match of the year with the Essendon Bombers pushing the reigning Premiers, the Collingwood Magpies, to their absolute limit for the first time since the 2010 Grand Final draw. At times, the Magpies looked as though they didn't know what to, finding themselves staring into a fierce challenge from an old rival. However, despite their resiliency, the Magpies were still able to run out comfortable winners, though the scoreboard didn't show how close the contest really was.

On the back of Essendon's challenge, here are just some of the essentials if you plan on knocking Collingwood off their perch.

Don't play loose ahead of the ball
Collingwood are the best in the competition on the rebound and if you make a single mistake with your midfielders forward of the ball, they will blaze away forward and make you pay.

Long bombs forward do not work
You need to work the ball forward instead of kick and hope. Finding space is an absolute must. Essendon were most dangerous when they were able to move the ball smoothly inside 50. If the ball goes to ground, the Magpies' defence has the personnel to run away with ease.

Don't allow Heath Shaw and Harry O'Brien space
Shaw and O'Brien are the most damaging rebound combination in the competition by a country mile. If you give them space to move, they will use every inch of it their advantage.

Take your chances
You have to make the most of every chance you get on the ball. A clear passage of play doesn't come easily against Collingwood. Clean disposals must be more frequent.

Kick straight
It's a general rule but applies even more against the Magpies. Who knows what the final result of the ANZAC Day clash may have been if the Bombers had kicked straight in the first quarter.

Control the ball at ground level
Collingwood are too clean in contested situations to allow the ball to hit the ground to their advantage. With so many sneaky goal kickers in the side, you don't know when someone will pull something out of their back pocket from a stoppage or marking contest.

Back one another
Don't allow your Magpie opponent to directly get to your teammate with the ball. As soon as they put you under pressure, they pounce. Blocking is a must.

Stick your tackles
Tackling is key to stopping Collingwood's run. If they get two or three men running with the ball along the wing, expect to be scored against. Every tackle must stick.

Shut down Travis Cloke and Chris Dawes
The Bombers did this very well for most of the game but when they were allowed to do what they do, that's when the margin extended out. If Cloke's influence had been stopped, the game would have been much closer. Cloke is one of the best contested grabs in the competition - he has to be bogged down.

Don't allow Dane Swan and Scott Pendlebury an uncontested possession
Dane Swan did the hard yards against Essendon and struggled to get much space. Unfortunately, Pendlebury was allowed to run rampant and claimed the ANZAC Medal. Pendlebury is just as damaging as Swan. If he is allowed to run free, you will be hurt.

Don't underestimate anyone
Collingwood's depth is extremely strong. The back end of their best 22 is just as damaging as their front end. If somebody's not firing, chances are that somebody new will step up to the plate.


The most intimidating thing about the Magpies is that the theories listed are only the basics required to get within a kick of them. However, the Bombers have shown that the Magpies do have their weaknesses and are not unbeatable. I expect that a number of coaches will watch the replay of the game quite closely.