Magpies Secure Solid Win Amidst Injury Concerns
Collingwood has notched a comfortable victory against Greater Western Sydney (GWS) on Friday night, but the win hasn’t come without its own set of worries for the Magpies faithful. Dominating from the outset, Collingwood displayed superior speed and class to overcome the Giants with a final score of 13.9 (87) to 7.12 (54).
However, the celebratory mood was tempered by concerns over the fitness of key personnel. Veteran midfielder Scott Pendlebury was seen on the bench for the entirety of the fourth quarter, nursing tightness in his Achilles. This setback is particularly significant given Pendlebury’s pursuit of the all-time V/AFL games played record. Currently sitting at 428 games, he is just four appearances shy of North Melbourne legend Brent Harvey.
Speaking after the match, Pendlebury revealed the decision to rest him was a precautionary one. “We had a go at trying to get it going, but we were up by 25 points so they just said it’s not worth it, just rest up,” he told Channel Seven. He also admitted to still being bothered by an ankle roll he sustained earlier in the season.
Adding to the injury woes, captain Darcy Moore appeared to be struggling in his first game back. The key defender, who had already missed the start of the season with a calf complaint, spent time in the rooms addressing a similar issue. While he managed to complete the game, he looked sore and appeared to have difficulty with his kicking throughout the contest.
Potential MRO Scrutiny for Long
On the disciplinary front, Collingwood midfielder Ned Long is likely to face scrutiny from the Match Review Officer (MRO). Vision from the game captured Long making contact with GWS midfielder’s face early in the contest, resulting in the Giant hitting the deck. The incident will undoubtedly be reviewed.
Giants Grapple with Deep Injury Crisis
The GWS Giants, meanwhile, are in the midst of a severe injury crisis that has significantly hampered their season. Already without a host of crucial players including Tom Green, Sam Taylor, Jack Buckley, Aaron Cadman, Toby Bedford, Darcy Jones, Josh Kelly, and Brent Daniels, their lack of depth was evident on Friday night. This loss marks their third consecutive defeat.
The injury list for the Giants grew even longer during the match, with midfielder Ryan Angwin finishing the game on the bench due to a burst eardrum.
Magpies’ Attack Firing on All Cylinders
Despite the injury concerns, the win served as a much-needed tune-up for the Magpies, who have had a somewhat inconsistent start to their season. Their attacking strategy, which involved penetrating through the corridor, proved highly effective. Key forwards Tim Membrey and Dan McStay capitalised on this approach, combining for a total of six goals.
The midfield also delivered a dominant performance. Star player Nick Daicos was instrumental, racking up an impressive 36 disposals and contributing two goals himself. Josh Daicos and Steele Sidebottom also had significant impacts, both exceeding 30 disposals, showcasing the Magpies’ potent outside run.
Individual Brilliance for Both Sides
For the GWS Giants, Lachie Whitfield was a standout performer, amassing a remarkable 39 disposals, while Clayton Oliver also found plenty of the ball with 37 disposals. Jake Stringer managed to kick two goals, including his 400th career major, a significant milestone.
Debutant Ruckman Impresses
One of the notable stories for Collingwood was the impressive debut of ruckman Oscar Steene. The 202cm, 22-year-old showcased a towering vertical leap that dominated the aerial contests. His aerial prowess was so pronounced that GWS ruckman Kieran Briggs appeared to concede the centre bounce duels as the game progressed. Steene finished the game with 20 hit-outs and a goal, following a spectacular mark taken in the goal square.
The development of Steene will be an interesting storyline to follow, especially with reigning best and fairest winner Darcy Cameron still in the side. It is anticipated that the Magpies will continue to utilise both rucks when they face Brisbane at the Gabba on Easter Thursday.
The GWS Giants, on the other hand, will now head into a much-needed bye week, providing an opportunity to regroup, recover from their injury woes, and strategise for the remainder of the season.
