The Scores
Collingwood: 2.4 / 7.6 / 9.10 / 13.12 [90]
Brisbane: 6.2 / 9.4 / 10.8 / 10.13 [73]
Goals
Collingwood: Medhurst 4, Davis 3, Lockyer 2, Anthony, Cloke, Swan, Thomas.
Brisbane: Brown 2, Dalziell 2, Selwood 2, Adcock, Clark, Notting, Rischitelli.
The 10th Letter’s Best: Pendlebury / Cox / Medhurst / Lockyer / Prestigiacomo / Barham
Facing the threat of falling to 1-3 after the first month of football, there was a lot more at stake on Friday night than what most supporters would have expected before the start of the season. With the Lions looking to consolidate upon a good start to the year, both sides had a lot to play for and when the heavens opened up prior to bounce down it was clear that whoever triumphed was going to be made to earn it.
The first surprise of the night was that there were no late surprises at the selection table, as we went with the original team as announced – which was quite top heavy – in what was going to be a wet weather contest. Given we decided against bringing back one of Wood or Bryan to support Fraser, Leigh Brown was always going to hold his place; but the selection of Anthony Rocca in such conditions had me concerned.
It looked like it was going to be a long night for Collingwood in the first quarter, as Brisbane adjusted to the conditions a lot better and worked as a unit a lot more effectively. Adcock tore us apart, as the conditions suited players who had a predisposition for the hard stuff. We also relinquished the corridor and Brisbane made us pay, moving the ball quickly through the centre of the ground and as a result providing some good service to their forwards — namely Brown.
When Brisbane were awarded a 50 metre penalty right on the quarter time siren, Selwood kicked truly to give the Lions a 22 point buffer. Considering the wet conditions, a four goal deficit was essentially more like six or more and our early inability to move the ball with any potency meant that it was going to be a long way back.
We exchanged goals with the Lions throughout most of the second quarter, but our application over the entire field had improved significantly as we finally began to settle. We were destroyed in the clearance department in the first term, but finally managed to wrestle back some dominance within the middle through the efforts of Pendlebury and Swan.
Prestigiacomo was moved onto Brown in an effort to curb his early influence, whilst Harry O’Brien was matched up against the dangerous – and often underrated – Daniel Bradshaw. We got the match-ups right, as neither of Brisbane’s key forwards would kick a goal for the rest of the match. Shannon Cox was arguably our best player in the first half, getting his hands on the ball regularly and using it well in what were trying conditions.
After exchanging goals for most of the quarter, Collingwood finally managed to string a couple together late in the second quarter through Dane Swan and Travis Cloke — who kicked truly after the half-time siren. At the major break, we had reduced the lead to just 10 points and the momentum had definitely swung in our favour.
We were only a minute into the third quarter when the Paul Medhurst show commenced. Medders took a strong contested mark in front of Jason Roe and converted from a difficult angle 40 metres out. Just over a minute later, Paul Medhurst received the ball in the other pocket and snapped a freakish goal that put Collingwood in front for the first time of the night.
The next 17 minutes were an arm wrestle, with both teams fighting for the ball but receiving little to no reward on the scoreboard. Brisbane were dealt a cruel blow when Jamie Charman – who was their primary ruckman – was helped from the ground with a knee injury. They would also lose Jed Adcock not long after with an ankle injury, whilst Collingwood had some injury woes of their own when Medhurst came off with concussion after an unfortunate head clash.
Rischitelli broke the deadlock after marking strongly and converting from virtually point blank range. The three quarter time siren sounded with Brisbane holding a four point lead, but all the signs suggested that we would run the game out a lot better than the Lions.
The final quarter kicked off and it was the man of the hour, Paul Medhurst, who put the Pies in front once more after kicking his fourth and best goal from another freakish snap. The goal was made even more freakish by the fact that he was still suffering from concussion and unsure as to his surroundings. It was Friday night, Collingwood were a few points in front of Brisbane in the final quarter at the Gabba, everybody knew this except the person who put us into our winning position — after his heroics, Medders was taken from the field.
The tussle between the two sides continued, but Brisbane were visibly running out of puff. Leon Davis emerged as our new hero, kicking two goals in the final term to take his tally to three for the night, whilst Tarkyn Lockyer chipped in to kick his second. Brisbane were valiant, but fell victim to fatigue, injuries and the immense pressure that our boys applied from the second quarter onwards. As the final siren sounded, Collingwood had chalked up a respectable win in a tough encounter interstate, victorious by 17 points.
Scott Pendlebury was a clear best on ground in what was a brilliant performance, finishing the night with 35 possessions, 8 marks, 6 tackles and 10 clearances. When we were heading into this match, I was fearful of Simon Black playing another blinder against us, but as it turned out it was Pendles who put in a performance that was on par with the efforts we’ve grown accustomed to seeing from the Brisbane champion when our two sides meet.
Our first gamer in Jaxson Barham was fantastic and would have been a definite for this week’s rising star award had he have used the ball a bit better. With that said, given the conditions and the importance of the match, Barham was instrumental in getting us over the line. His work rate is incredible, his tackling a highlight and his pace a welcome addition to the side. Barham finished the night with 28 disposals and a game high of 9 tackles.
Anthony Rocca got through the game unscathed and whilst not influential, he got involved in a few passages. Pebbles certainly needs some more match fitness but I’ll reserve my judgement on where he’s currently at considering it wasn’t a night for key forwards — no better example being Brown only kicking two for the night and Bradshaw being held goalless.
Which brings me to my next chunk of praise: Prestigiacomo and O’Brien. Whilst O’Brien was perhaps lucky not to be penalised on one or two occasions, both he and Presti were absolutely superb last night, quelling the influence of Brisbane’s formidable forward pair. Shannon Cox played a vital role in providing rebound out of defence, made even more valuable due to the absence of Heath Shaw. On top of that, Cox also won quite a few clearances from stoppages, his clean hands being a valuable asset in a night when ball handling was at a premium.
Josh Fraser played a lone hand in the ruck and once again put in an admirable performance. His job was made a little easier when Charman was taken from the ground, but he deserves an honourable mention all the same. Leon Davis stood up when required, kicking three vital goals whilst picking up 18 possessions. Dane Swan was a little quieter than usual, but some of his efforts out of the middle and his strong marking all over the ground went a long way to securing our victory.
Last night could be considered our first real victory for the year, one which we can take some well deserved pride in. Whilst our performance was not without flaws – most notably another poor start – the grit and determination required to not only claw ourselves back into the game but to win cannot be overlooked.
Brisbane are a side who I rate and you can draw some parallels with where both our sides are currently at in regards to development. Our matches are never clear cut, always competitive and given the history of the two clubs there is always a sense of pride and extra incentive when we come up against one another. Coming away from a road trip to Brisbane with a victory is always a good thing.
It wasn’t one of those flawless performances where everything clicks and the percentage sky rockets, but sometimes there is more value in winning a tough, competitive match. Considering the start we’ve had to the year, a victory like this was just what the doctor ordered. Hopefully it will instill some more belief within the current side whilst also bringing them closer together.
