Collingwood Bomb Out To Another Lower-ranked Rival

Sun Herald

Sunday July 27, 2008

By ROHAN CONNOLLY MCG

ESSENDON 19.14 128

COLLINGWOOD 11.14 80

COLLINGWOOD supporters must have a sinking feeling these days every time the Magpies are drawn to play a team they're supposed to beat.

Even before yesterday's 48-point thumping at the hands of Essendon, the Pies had conceded five of their seven losses for the season to teams beneath them on the ladder.

That stat is now six out of eight. And the scrap for a top-four spot Collingwood was engaged in may now turn into a battle to make the top eight. Although they knocked over Geelong, the Magpies would be hard-pressed to beat any team of substance on yesterday's showing.

The signs were ominous from the start, alarm bells ringing within 10 minutes, by which time Essendon had four goals on the board to nothing. And while a second-quarter flurry did bring the Pies back within a couple of points, it was all downhill from there.

Collingwood couldn't find anywhere near the required level of intensity to deal with quick, switched-on and far hungrier opponents desperate to atone for their first mismatch this season on Anzac Day, when the Dons were hammered by 73 points.

Essendon's intent was evident within a minute when an Adam McPhee tackle on Dale Thomas caused a spill in the Essendon forward line, Angus Monfries pouncing on the spoils for Matthew Lloyd to run into an open goal. Three goals to Andrew Welsh after eight minutes and Essendon were red hot.

While Dane Swan and Travis Cloke tried hard for the Magpies, Essendon had at least the best six players on the ground, perhaps more.

And those best were the same with which we've become familiar in this purple patch of five wins and a narrow loss from their past six outings.

Like Welsh, again superb on the ball, finishing with 29 disposals, five tackles, four clearances and a career-best four goals. Like Jobe Watson, who broke the 40-possession barrier, nearly half of them effective kicks.

Like Monfries, another in career-best form, whose leading from half-forward, kicking and marking, two goals and, just as importantly, the neutralising of Magpies attacking weapon Heath Shaw, were critical.

And like the constant in Essendon's 2008, David Hille. The big ruckman continues to impose himself like never before, yesterday with 24 disposals, six marks, six clearances, a goal, and a big-man presence that Collingwood couldn't find anywhere, save the occasions Cloke was given a chance.

It was dominance almost right across the ground. You never would have guessed this was a game between fifth on the ladder and 12th. The Magpies are getting used to it this season.

Read Caroline Wilson's column at realfooty.com.au

© 2008 Sun Herald

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