Blood & Guts
The Age
Saturday July 5, 2008
After a week's break and with players' batteries recharged, the Collingwood-Sydney rivalry will be rekindled.
SOMETIMES it doesn't take that much to form a rivalry in the modern game. Some close results in a short period of time and a point of reference is about all it takes, and that's exactly what the Sydney-Collingwood fixture has done. The point of reference has been the magnificent ANZ Stadium at Homebush and the events that unfolded in round 21, 2003. Like the Sydney-Essendon game earlier that season, this game proved a major success and the push into western Sydney gained momentum. The powers that be looked to leverage off this beginning and created a marquee match with its own place in the draw.In the years since, this game has stood at the back end of the split round and enjoyed the lion's share of attention.What originally began as a stand-alone game still exists as one of the most popular broadcasts and draws capacity crowds in the heart of rugby league territory.With the scene set and the battle lines drawn, these two teams have made this date on the calendar a game to look forward to every year. And tonight is no exception.The Swans had great form going into the bye. They have won their past six matches and have gone about their business in standard Sydney fashion - with a minimum of fuss.They own the best winning streak in the competition, but they are fully aware that the Collingwood side has won the past four against them.In particular, the two losses at the end of last year within a fortnight will have them smarting and keen on retribution and their coach has said as much during the week.Track watchers during the pre-season spoke of a greater urgency in the Swans' preparation following the early exit at the hands of the Pies. The controlled early-season build-up has been modified and together with a tweaking of the game plan and shrewd recruiting, the Swans find themselves a game-and-a-half ahead of their comparative win-loss ratios in both of their recent grand-final years.Even with the position Sydney has earned this season, the scribes have still questioned the Swans' ability to beat quality opponents. What better way to consolidate the gains they have made this year than to beat the side that has done the most damage to them in recent times.Meanwhile, the Pies have been like "the girl with the curl" this season. Their best has been very good and their worst has been equally poor. That hasn't just been evident from week to week, but from quarter to quarter. Ask Geelong what happens when the Pies come to play for four quarters. For that matter, ask the Swans.Personnel has been a major talking point during the week and Paul Roos will be without Adam Goodes for the first time in his coaching career. Goodes polled five votes in the two home-and-away games last year and had 30 touches in the elimination final. He has been a constant thorn in the Pies' plans against the Swans and will be missed.Likewise, Anthony Rocca will be missed. His 14 goals in the past four games against the Swans included a six-goal haul in the most recent encounter and, more importantly, his role in the forward structure cannot be underestimated. Perhaps they cancel each other out.Generally, this game is won more on game plan than personnel, and the team that wants it more usually triumphs.The bye provides an opportunity for every individual to take stock and reload for the remainder of the season. It provides a fresher, more focused footballer ready to do what has to be done. Both of these teams play an intense, physically demanding style that takes its toll as the weeks compound on one another and the intensity is evident when their batteries are recharged.Teams also use the extra time in a bye week to assess their season to date: the good, the bad and the ugly. Done well, this review process can bring immediate results on the field. New team focuses are fresh in the mind and the importance of starting the rest of the year well is critical for the big picture.In the seasons the Pies have won this fixture they have continued on to play finals and they have missed after both losses in 2004 and 2005, so whilst no one home-and-away game makes a season there are some that define them and this is one. The game style will be predictable this evening. Both teams love playing one-on-one football. The Pies match up well on the Swans and vice versa. There will be stoppages galore and very little easy footy. What we don't know is how the Swans plan to turn around their recent form against the Pies. There has been talk of a tackling focus and that is a given. The Swans have been bamboozled by rotations in recent match-ups and might not allow themselves to be so easily manipulated. Then again, they just might back themselves to do what they have always done. Only better.
© 2008 The Age
