Magpies Thrash Bombers

The Age

Monday July 28, 2008

Xavier Smerdon

COLLINGWOOD climbed off the bottom of the VFL ladder yesterday when it smashed the Bendigo Bombers by 90 points at Princes Park.

Coach Gavin Brown said the game was not about payback for the AFL side's 48-point loss to Essendon on Saturday, but rather an excellent opportunity for some players to put their hands up for promotion to the AFL.

Brown suggested that Danny Stanley, Sam Iles and Chris Dawes were not far away from being given an opportunity with the senior team.

Collingwood kicked 20 goals to the Bombers' six and Brown said: "We had 20 players out there and everyone of them did their part."

Bendigo struggled the entire game, failing to kick a goal in the second quarter as Collingwood increased its intensity, with Simon Prestigiacomo and Shannon Cox starring in defence.

When the Bombers did get an opportunity, they failed to convert, kicking an inaccurate 6.10.

At three-quarter-time, Bendigo coach Adrian Hickmott pleaded with his side to finish hard and win a quarter. Instead, it was Collingwood that kicked a further nine goals to turn a victory into a rout.

Dawes was a standout player for Collingwood, setting up many of its goals throughout the day.

If Collingwood lapsed at all, it was during the third quarter when the ball spent more than five minutes in its defensive 50, but Essendon failed to capitalise, kicking 2.5 for the term.

Even Brown was surprised at the 15-goal winning margin.

"We certainly didn't expect that kind of win . . . but now we just need to keep it up," he said.

"The boys really showed that they have the ability to win games."

Collingwood faces Geelong at Skilled Stadium on Saturday, with the ninth-placed Cats playing for a place in the top eight.

The Magpies, meanwhile, will be playing for pride.

© 2008 The Age

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