I’m a little late to the writing desk this week, having to juggle work commitments and being delayed in getting to see the vision from last Thursday night’s triumph over Geelong. This does, however, present me with an opportunity to bridge our last win with our upcoming challenge – perhaps the biggest test we’ve had in three weeks – against the Eagles on Sunday afternoon.
In Gratitude to Goldsack
I was absent during the post-season last year and as such, wasn’t present to do any end of year wraps, sift through any of the grisly bits nor pay homage to departed servants. The changes were fairly modest and obvious: the expected retirement of Daniel Wells; the delisting of Sam Murray and Ben Crocker; the shifting of Lynden Dunn to the rookie list and of course, the retirement of the subject of this piece, Tyson Goldsack.
On The Road: The Making of a Season
After a disappointing fortnight, compounded by a three ring act off-field, the team hopped on one of the last planes out of Victoria as the state returned to lock down. We had previously been scheduled to enter the WA hub alongside Geelong, but with the AFL having to shuffle the fixture given the developing situation in Victoria, we found ourselves facing Hawthorn on Friday night at GIANTS Stadium.
Unique Circumstances, Familiar Feelings
“May you live in interesting times” is an expression that many otherwise insulated people around the world have had an opportunity to familiarise themselves with this year, along with the ill intent contained within it. Over the past week, it has become clear to Collingwood supporters that the one escape they might have enjoyed throughout…
A Beanstalk Unfelled
In what was an arm wrestle north of the border, another opportunity for atonement has gone begging. Disappointing as this was, the true tragedy of our 2 point loss to the Giants is undoubtedly the loss of Jeremy Howe, which will have significant ramifications on our chances heading forward.
The New Normal
Three rounds into this strange season and we’re sitting second on the ladder courtesy of a brutal dismantlement of the Bulldogs; a forgettable arm wrestle against the Tigers; and most recently, a very solid deconstruction of the Saints. Our performances thus far haven’t been perfect, the contest against the Tigers being one of the more forgettable spectacles of football in recent memory, but on balance we’ve been more impressive than not given the strange preparation.
Game Day: Collingwood vs Greater Western Sydney (1st Preliminary Final, 2019)
Well, here we are again, people. Just one step away from the big dance. Welcome to the Game Day thread for the 1st Preliminary Final. Standing in our way of a date with destiny, and the Richmond Football Club, is the franchise operation from out in Sydney’s western suburbs, the Greater Western Sydney Giants. Depleted,…
Game Day: Collingwood vs Geelong (1st Qualifying Final, 2019)
Well, it’s here. After 22 rounds of toil, triumph and tears (sometimes all on the same day), we have arrived at the month of September. And with it, the 2019 AFL Finals Series. And after a win in the final home and away round (and a favourable result elsewhere), we have finished in fourth place…
Game Day: Collingwood vs Essendon (Round 23, 2019)
Well, here it is, boys and girls. The final round of the 2019 home and away season. It seems like only yesterday that we were bouncing the ball for the first time in anger for the year. Where does that time go? This week, we line up against the team that we narrowly beat on…
Game Day: Collingwood vs Adelaide (Round 22, 2019)
Good morning, everyone. This week, our Game Day thread sees our Magpies travel across the border to the City of Churches, to take on the eponymous Adelaide, in a match with everything to play for. We need to win if we are to remain a chance to make the Top 4 and secure that elusive…