‘Never seen that': Collingwood tactic causes stir after Fremantle defeat
The Magpies' lost back-to-back games for the first time in 12 months in their Sunday showdown at the MCG, giving up a 22-point lead in the final quarter as the fast-finishing Dockers ran over the top of them to win a thriller by one point.
FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer.
Essendon icon James Hird on Sunday night praised Collingwood for the club's late tactical switch despite the team falling short.
The Brownlow medalist exposed the team's risky move to avoid committing to tackles in the final minutes as they chased a match-winning goal.
Speaking on Channel 9's Footy furnace, Hird highlighted moments where Collingwood players deliberately held back from tackles in order to avoid ball-ups and stoppages.
'Collingwood do 'one percenters' better than everyone else,' Hird said.
'You look at these couple tackles here, the group tackles where the players are held. They tackle here and then he (Steele Sidebottom) backs off. They're backing off because they want to keep the ball in motion.
'This is why Collingwood, even though they lost, for me is such a well coached team. Every part of the game is coached down to the minutia of that.
'That must have been practiced and I reckon they would have gone back and said if we're a goal down with two minutes to go, we do not want stoppages, we want the ball in motion.
'How do we keep the ball in motion? This is the way we do it.'
Leading footy journalist Tom Morris said he had never seen the tactic before.
Hird responded by saying: 'I've seen it, but not to this extent. That's why Craig McRae is up there with the best coaches in the competition along with a couple of others because his coaching staff are teaching their players in moments how to be so successful.'
It wasn't enough to get the Pies over the line with the Dockers' win setting up a hot fight to finish on top of the ladder.
Collingwood did everything but beat the Dockers as McRae's men finished with massive buffers in contested possessions (151-131), tackles (86-65) and inside 50s (63-40), but they were undone by their lack of forward efficiency.
'This is one of those games you look at, 'OK. We've got some work to do', and I'd rather be learning those lessons now than learning them later on in the year,' McRae said.
'It just didn't feel like we connected that well this week again, but it's one of those hard games when you dominate so much of the territory, you're winning it back and you go into such density, so it makes it really hard to score.
'But I can't help but feel frustrated at that game because you feel like you did so much right and then you don't get the nourishment of a win.
'I also would've thought we did enough right to get the job done today.'
Collingwood are renowned as the close-game specialists since McRae took over in 2022, but after only losing four of 25 games decided by six points or less in the previous three seasons, they've now fallen short in three such games this year.
'Yes and no,' McRae said when asked if he was still backing the method that had served them so well in tight finishes heading into 2025.
'This is not something you've ever got handled, because every game is opportunities live and delayed moments.
'Managing those moments will be forever something we need to do, and if the scoreboard's an indication, we haven't managed it well enough.
'Have we lost our spark? You'd hope not.'
Collingwood have taken the liberty of resting players over the past fortnight, given their lead at the top of the ladder was 10 points prior to Round 17, but now that it's shrunk to two, McRae insisted he wouldn't change the way they approached the management of his charges.
'We'll do what's best for our group for what that looks like and when it needs to be in that situation,' McRae said.
'Hard to manage at the moment too many because we haven't got too many others available but the reality is we'll keep doing what we're doing ... it's a long year.'
The premiership coach took comfort from the fact that his side suffered some similar hiccups late in the 2023 season before going on to win the flag that year.
Meanwhile, McRae forecast forward Tim Membrey and onballer Tom Mitchell would both be available for their clash with Richmond next week.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
5 hours ago
- News.com.au
10-year-old with autism ‘excluded' from NSW cross country champs
A 10-year-old boy with autism has been blocked from competing at the NSW primary school cross championships despite doing enough to qualify. 7News reports Charlie Cox made it to the North Coast Cross Country Championships and qualified for the state finals as a special needs athlete. 'We were very disappointed that Charlie was excluded,' Charlie's father Owen told 7News. Tennis Australia and Swimming Australia both have classifications for athletes with formally diagnosed autism, but Australian Athletics does not include autism within its framework. 'As such, the inclusion of an autism category for the sports of athletics and cross country are not feasible in the Representative School Sport Pathway as there are no nationally recognised benchmarks to support fair and consistent result calculation,' the NSW Department of Education said. 'Other states and territories that have made local provisions for participation do so outside the formal School Sport Australia pathway and there is no fair or consistent result calculation, nor is there a pathway to the next level of representation. 'Your concern is acknowledged and please be reassured that the NSW Department of Education remains committed to advocating for broader inclusion through national sporting bodies such as Athletics Australia.' The news comes after a Year 9 student with dwarfism was told last year he couldn't compete because of a rule from World Para Athletics that's recently been adopted by School Sport Australia. Hugo, a Year 9 student from Sydney's Northern Beaches was told he couldn't compete at national trials. Hugo has genetic disorder achondroplasia – the most common form of short-limbed dwarfism, but that hasn't stopped him running. 'I like the feeling of adrenaline. Halfway through the run, I get a feeling that I can't stop, otherwise I'll be so disappointed in myself, and I just like that feeling of running and it just makes me happy,' Hugo told 7NEWS. For years he has competed at state level, but he can no longer compete in any long-distance events because of a new rule adopted by School Sports Australia. 'It's really sad, I see the joy that Hugo gets when he's competing … there's not that many opportunities for kids with disabilities to have success and it's really sad to see that as a mother ripped away from him and without any reasons,' Hugo's mum Alicia said. 'I just don't understand why, it doesn't harm anyone else. It doesn't affect anyone; he has individual medical clearance to do it and it's just really hard to understand.' The new rule, enforced by Athletics Australia is based on medical advice relating to short-statured people running long distances.
Sydney Morning Herald
5 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
The AFL's ticking time bomb: The damning numbers forcing the league's new footy boss to act
Swann said that before he took the job the length of games and the umpires bouncing the ball were the two issues other people raised the most. 'It's just around the set-ups and waiting for ruckmen to get to contests and even the boundary throw-ins or if you are waiting for them to get there and there is a chance to actually speed that up a bit,' Swann said. 'There is good vision and video of ruckman taking 20 seconds to come from one end of the ground to the other and everyone stands there and waits,' Swann said. 'That's something that hopefully we can have a look at and maybe address even before the [end of the] season.' The AFL had to revise the starting time of Sunday games this season pushing them forward five minutes to 3.15pm as they were creeping into the 6pm news. The first quarter of Sunday's Cats-Saints game went for four seconds beyond the 35-minute mark and had most scenarios requiring the clock to be stopped other than a 6-6-6 infringement. There were eight goals kicked, 15 stoppages around the ground, nine boundary throw-ins, two kick-ins, two kicks out-on-the-full, plus a recalled bounce, a score review, a 50-metre penalty, a downfield free kick, two kick-ins, a blood rule and a field umpire conferring with a boundary umpire over a decision. Loading Each boundary throw-in takes roughly 25 seconds of time on, bounces around the ground take about eight seconds and the time that elapses between goals and the ball being bounced is around 55 seconds. The score review and the subsequent kick in took 44 seconds. Attendees at the game were there for three hours, 27 minutes and 16 seconds from the first bounce to the final siren including quarter and half-time breaks. Swann estimated a return to about two hours per match, or four 30 minute quarters, plus quarter and half-time breaks was the ideal game length. The AFL's desire to reduce game length is consistent in world sport aware that engagement time is at a premium. Dillon and Swann addressed a range of issues, including: What Tasmania's election means for the Devils Dillon said despite official confirmation of the result of the Tasmanian election over the weekend yet to come, with the Liberal Party likely to form a minority government, there had been an overwhelming endorsement of the new team and controversial Macquarie Point Stadium. While the Liberals will likely need to rely on crossbenchers to form government, Dillon said it was time to begin work on the stadium, a condition of entry for the AFL's 19th team – in 2028. 'Pleasingly over 70 per cent of the votes that were cast in Tasmania over the weekend went to a candidate that was pro-stadium. We are looking forward to a 2028 start date for the Tasmania Devils. It's really clear we will have a stadium at Mac Point with a roof and 23,000 capacity,' Dillon said. Ditch the centre bounce? Swann revealed there was strong support from clubs to discard the traditional centre bounce. He was due to meet with league umpires late on Monday. Bouncing the ball can be difficult for umpires with back issues. 'We will do some work on it. In the next little bit, I will get around to all clubs and get their views,' he said. 'I have had some clubs already ring and give me their views. I would say the majority are in favour of throwing the ball up. Obviously, that's not going to happen until next year, but we will have a look at that as well.' Asked if there was the possibility of having a ceremonial bounce to start games, Swann replied: 'At the grand final last year, the first bounce went sideways, and they had to recall it. You would want to do the ceremonial bounce if it goes straight.' Keep fans in the loop Swann said he wanted the football operations department, including match review officer decisions, to have greater transparency. 'Maybe explaining some of the decisions we make, maybe we can be a bit more forthcoming with that. We are not going to explain everything away because otherwise you would be here all day,' he said. 'But, if there are some things that are a bit contentious, I think people deserve to understand why we have gone a certain way.' Pre-finals bye Swann said the pre-finals bye was also up for discussion. 'That's another one for next year, really. You would have a look at it,' he said. Added Dillon: 'We are talking season structure for next year. How you set that up. When you have your byes, how many of them you have.' Father-sons, NGAs and the draft 'On the academies, having lived through those, they are crucial up there [the northern states] for the development of the game,' Swann said of the northern academies. 'The new DVI [draft value index] index is going to make a big difference to what you pay for those people now. We need to let that run for a year or two. It will make a big difference to how many blokes you can and can't get.' Priority pick for the West Coast Eagles The Eagles have won a combined 11 games in their past four seasons, but Dillon all but ruled out the 2018 premiers being granted a priority draft selection should they apply. Rather, he pointed to the work Swann had done when in charge of rebuilding the Lions, while also acknowledging how Adelaide were set to play finals this year for the first time since 2017. 'The blueprint is there in the work Swanny and the work he did in Brisbane … and if you look at Adelaide at the weekend, they haven't been in the finals since 2017, but through a lot of hard work, some really good decisions, great trading, great drafting, they are poised now for a top four pick,' Dillon said. 'They have got where they have got without a priority pick, and I think you can do it.'
The Age
5 hours ago
- The Age
The AFL's ticking time bomb: The damning numbers forcing the league's new footy boss to act
Swann said that before he took the job the length of games and the umpires bouncing the ball were the two issues other people raised the most. 'It's just around the set-ups and waiting for ruckmen to get to contests and even the boundary throw-ins or if you are waiting for them to get there and there is a chance to actually speed that up a bit,' Swann said. 'There is good vision and video of ruckman taking 20 seconds to come from one end of the ground to the other and everyone stands there and waits,' Swann said. 'That's something that hopefully we can have a look at and maybe address even before the [end of the] season.' The AFL had to revise the starting time of Sunday games this season pushing them forward five minutes to 3.15pm as they were creeping into the 6pm news. The first quarter of Sunday's Cats-Saints game went for four seconds beyond the 35-minute mark and had most scenarios requiring the clock to be stopped other than a 6-6-6 infringement. There were eight goals kicked, 15 stoppages around the ground, nine boundary throw-ins, two kick-ins, two kicks out-on-the-full, plus a recalled bounce, a score review, a 50-metre penalty, a downfield free kick, two kick-ins, a blood rule and a field umpire conferring with a boundary umpire over a decision. Loading Each boundary throw-in takes roughly 25 seconds of time on, bounces around the ground take about eight seconds and the time that elapses between goals and the ball being bounced is around 55 seconds. The score review and the subsequent kick in took 44 seconds. Attendees at the game were there for three hours, 27 minutes and 16 seconds from the first bounce to the final siren including quarter and half-time breaks. Swann estimated a return to about two hours per match, or four 30 minute quarters, plus quarter and half-time breaks was the ideal game length. The AFL's desire to reduce game length is consistent in world sport aware that engagement time is at a premium. Dillon and Swann addressed a range of issues, including: What Tasmania's election means for the Devils Dillon said despite official confirmation of the result of the Tasmanian election over the weekend yet to come, with the Liberal Party likely to form a minority government, there had been an overwhelming endorsement of the new team and controversial Macquarie Point Stadium. While the Liberals will likely need to rely on crossbenchers to form government, Dillon said it was time to begin work on the stadium, a condition of entry for the AFL's 19th team – in 2028. 'Pleasingly over 70 per cent of the votes that were cast in Tasmania over the weekend went to a candidate that was pro-stadium. We are looking forward to a 2028 start date for the Tasmania Devils. It's really clear we will have a stadium at Mac Point with a roof and 23,000 capacity,' Dillon said. Ditch the centre bounce? Swann revealed there was strong support from clubs to discard the traditional centre bounce. He was due to meet with league umpires late on Monday. Bouncing the ball can be difficult for umpires with back issues. 'We will do some work on it. In the next little bit, I will get around to all clubs and get their views,' he said. 'I have had some clubs already ring and give me their views. I would say the majority are in favour of throwing the ball up. Obviously, that's not going to happen until next year, but we will have a look at that as well.' Asked if there was the possibility of having a ceremonial bounce to start games, Swann replied: 'At the grand final last year, the first bounce went sideways, and they had to recall it. You would want to do the ceremonial bounce if it goes straight.' Keep fans in the loop Swann said he wanted the football operations department, including match review officer decisions, to have greater transparency. 'Maybe explaining some of the decisions we make, maybe we can be a bit more forthcoming with that. We are not going to explain everything away because otherwise you would be here all day,' he said. 'But, if there are some things that are a bit contentious, I think people deserve to understand why we have gone a certain way.' Pre-finals bye Swann said the pre-finals bye was also up for discussion. 'That's another one for next year, really. You would have a look at it,' he said. Added Dillon: 'We are talking season structure for next year. How you set that up. When you have your byes, how many of them you have.' Father-sons, NGAs and the draft 'On the academies, having lived through those, they are crucial up there [the northern states] for the development of the game,' Swann said of the northern academies. 'The new DVI [draft value index] index is going to make a big difference to what you pay for those people now. We need to let that run for a year or two. It will make a big difference to how many blokes you can and can't get.' Priority pick for the West Coast Eagles The Eagles have won a combined 11 games in their past four seasons, but Dillon all but ruled out the 2018 premiers being granted a priority draft selection should they apply. Rather, he pointed to the work Swann had done when in charge of rebuilding the Lions, while also acknowledging how Adelaide were set to play finals this year for the first time since 2017. 'The blueprint is there in the work Swanny and the work he did in Brisbane … and if you look at Adelaide at the weekend, they haven't been in the finals since 2017, but through a lot of hard work, some really good decisions, great trading, great drafting, they are poised now for a top four pick,' Dillon said. 'They have got where they have got without a priority pick, and I think you can do it.'
