With the nightmare that was the NAB Cup Grand Final still fresh in our memories, the Pies will face the Cats once more in what is – in the scheme of things – a much more important game. Geelong accounted for our boys in devastating fashion less than a month ago, putting paid to speculation that we had their number in the process.
This Thursday night will be an entirely different prospect however, as the season proper demands a lot more than a glorified exhibition match.
I don’t think too many would argue that Geelong are clearly a class above on paper, but our respective sides have resided at opposite ends of the talent spectrum in the past and the results have been surprising to say the least. However, that is about as much spin as I’m prepared to put on the intangible element of our game; because if we’re to be victorious on Thursday night it will be the fundamentals that we must get perfect.
We all took some solace out of our performance against Geelong last year, even though the history books will show that at the end of the season we fell back a few pegs from our near grand final appearance in 2007. Personally, I think most of what came out of that game can be scrapped at this point — it’s a whole new season.
What is critical for the team to remember however was that it was sheer application from start to finish that got us over the line in such impressive fashion. If we wish to repeat our efforts from last year, then we’ll have to put together four quarters of uncompromising football. If we lapse for any given period of time, we will pay a considerable price as seen in the second quarter of our most recent encounter with the Cats.
Unlike our opponents in the past two weeks, a slow-start would see Geelong put the game out of reach quick smart. We witnessed Melbourne put our feet to the fire in the first term after we virtually handed them the centre corridor; it’s safe to say that Geelong would bypass such formalities and simply set us alight if we extend the same courtesy this week.
Come Thursday night, the first quarter will be absolutely crucial. We must impose ourselves on the contest from the get go and strive to apply some scoreboard pressure early. Geelong are a quality side and will keep coming, but if we can do some damage early it will throw a wrench in the works of Geelong’s preferred game. If Geelong are made accountable and enough pressure is applied, the natural flair in Geelong’s creative ball movement could make way for some second guessing.
The unfortunate injury to Ottens has perhaps made life a little easier for Collingwood; but regardless of whether Josh is provided with genuine back-up in the ruck, he will still need to replicate his excellent performance against Melbourne for us to reap any rewards from the absence of Ottens. It goes without saying that we’ll also have to be a lot more competitive in the centre, as we’ve struggled to win clearances against quality midfields.
Our forward structure has concerned me over the past couple of weeks, for there have been considerable periods of play where we have looked uncertain heading forward. We are suffering from only having one key target at the moment in Cloke, as Jack is still learning his trade and does his best work on the lead when given space — a rare luxury in the modern game.
Admittedly, our forward line has suffered due to Medhurst being underdone along with Didak and Davis working more up field, but we’ll need to get these players dangerous closer to goal to discourage Geelong’s defenders from providing options and drive going forward. If we can apply more defensive pressure within our forward line and stifle Geelong’s movement out of defence, scoring opportunities will present themselves in turn.
Getting over the line against Geelong will require a supreme team effort. Whilst both sides sport match winners, ours rely considerably on those around them and could be classified as fleeting, where as Geelong’s are ever-present. It’s becoming accepted that you’re not going to tag Ablett out of a match, so every player will have to work on getting the better – or at least breaking even – with their direct opponent to balance the ledger.
I’m not confident on the result, but I expect us to take it to them and put in a much better showing. We have a lot of pride to win back from our previous outing against Geelong and a win this Thursday night would provide that and more.
We dropped a game we should have won against Adelaide, I hope the boys are viewing this as a chance to make up for it.
