Collingwood’s Tactical Tightening: Tagging Tactics and Strategic Utilisation
Collingwood is gearing up for their Round 2 clash against Adelaide at the MCG, and coach Craig McRae is considering a potent tactical approach, potentially mirroring their successful defensive strategy from the opening round. The Magpies are buoyed by Harry Perryman’s exceptional shutdown performance against St Kilda’s rising star, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, who was limited to a mere 19 disposals and a single goal. This effectiveness has McRae contemplating a similar “tagging” role for Perryman against the Crows’ influential captain, Jordan Dawson.
McRae revealed the team’s mindset after their Round 1 victory, stating, “I said to the playing group on Tuesday when we got back for the first time to review as a group, we’ll find whatever it takes to get the job done against that opposition.” He elaborated on the rationale behind their strategy against St Kilda, explaining, “Against the Saints, we thought young Nas was such a weapon and we wanted to make his influence not so much.”
The focus now shifts to Adelaide’s aerial threats, with Dawson identified as a key player requiring close attention. McRae acknowledged, “This week, they’ve got a number of threats aerially … Dawson’s one player that you got to keep your eye on.” While he remains undecided on the exact deployment, hinting at a “wait and see” approach regarding the specific tag, the successful template from Round 1 suggests Perryman could be tasked with stifling Dawson’s impact. The Magpies will be looking to replicate the discipline and effectiveness that saw Perryman significantly curtail Wanganeen-Milera’s influence.
Unleashing the Super Boot: Dan Houston’s Crucial Role
Beyond defensive strategies, Collingwood is keen to again leverage the powerful kicking ability of Dan Houston. After a somewhat challenging debut season with the Magpies, the former Port Adelaide stalwart demonstrated his value against the Saints. Houston amassed an impressive 21 kicks from his 28 disposals, gaining a substantial 629 metres and contributing 10 rebounds.
McRae emphasised the club’s desire to get the ball into Houston’s hands, stating, “Look, we want the ball in Dan’s hand. And there was clear instruction – Dan takes all the kick ins, give him the ball, let’s get the ball in his hands.” He further highlighted Houston’s exceptional kicking prowess, remarking, “He’s such a weapon. He’s probably the best kick in our team, and we’ve got a lot of great kicks – he’s probably lineball with Nick (Daicos), I’d say.” This clear directive underscores Houston’s importance in initiating attacking plays and gaining territory for the Magpies.
The Fifth Bench Player Conundrum: Strategic Flexibility
Collingwood continues to explore innovative ways to utilise their fifth bench player, a strategy that proved fruitful in their opening game. Veteran Scott Pendlebury, despite playing only 55 per cent of game time, delivered a remarkable performance with 26 disposals, 10 score involvements, and five direct goal assists from a half-forward role.
McRae identified this approach as a successful formula. “We found last week a formula works in terms of keeping a guy on the bench, again Pendles makes most things work,” he commented. While the club intends to maintain a similar strategy, the specific player to be strategically rested remains uncertain. McRae suggested, “I think we’ll have a similar formula this week, I’m just not sure if it’ll be him. I think we’ll have a scenario where one player might sit out a bit of the first quarter and then inject him into the game and we’ll wait and see what that looks like.” This indicates a flexible approach, aiming to inject fresh legs and tactical advantages at opportune moments throughout the match.
Meanwhile, Collingwood captain Darcy Moore will once again be sidelined with a hamstring injury. On a positive note, the upcoming game will mark the 200th AFL appearance for key forward Dan McStay, a significant milestone for the experienced big man. The Magpies will be hoping to celebrate McStay’s milestone with a strong performance against the Crows.
