No denying the slump now
Put whatever label you like on it, hangover, slump, off the edge of the cliff, but Collingwood has satisfied it.
Three losses in a row now is a pattern. So, too, are the factors underpinning the reigning premier’s fall.
The defence was panicked, caught betwixt and between uncertain whether to go high or stay back. So often caught out by St Kilda being able to get a kick through or over the back of the Collingwood defenders they were punished.
Again there was no cohesion moving the ball between the arcs and the turnovers were hilariously bad. Twice unchallenged Collingwood spoils fell in the hands of Jack Higgins to goal. Again the midfield was beaten.
Collingwood in a slump 0-3 to start season.Credit: Getty
The Saints played a press on Collingwood that was clever, aside from a period in the second quarter when they lapsed and panicked with ball in hand. They drew Collingwood into error and turnover, and again the culprits were senior players - Steele Sidebottom had another shocker. Darcy Moore gave up goals. Brayden Maynard squirted balls away.
And again the forward line battled but had no real targets. Reef McInnes was a worthy inclusion and finished with three goals but he was not a strong aerial threat. Mason Cox was again unable to offer anything as a marking forward. Jamie Elliott was the most likely target in the air.
The team that was the most cohesive of the competition last year looks utterly bereft. Yes it was the type of night where Collingwood was like the batsman whose edges all get caught and never go through the slips for four - that stuff happened last year. The half calls went St Kilda’s way, few Collingwood’s (the free kick count was 30-15).
This is not outside noise to be swatted away like it is the misguided invention of critics. This is real.
There is no denying it and now they go to Brisbane at the Gabba before they get a bye. The very real and likely prospect is the reigning premiers will be winless after four rounds.
Selection decider
Ross Lyon went for more run to add to the Saints already fleet feet against Collingwood. Crouch went out and in came Jack Sinclair (admittedly he was always coming in whether he was quick or not) and Zak Jones.
Collingwood in contrast brought back Tom Mitchell. Mitchell is a quick thinker but not quick of foot. He added to a team that is not quick.
Run was critical - Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera was among the best on ground, Liam Henry was excellent and Bradley Hill damaging. And Collingwood had no answer. Troublingly Oleg Markov, who does have pace, was the player who had to be subbed out for Fin Macrae after another poor night.
Jack Sinclair of the Saints.Credit: Getty
Saint Jack too smart
Jack Higgins on Jeremy Howe is one of those mismatches that has to go one of two ways. Either Howe dominates in the air and Higgins stands by and watches. Or Higgins doesn’t compete in the air and punishes Howe at ground level.
Against a Collingwood defence that doesn’t resemble the backline of last year, in fact against a Collingwood side that bears no resemblance to last year, and under pressure all week Collingwood’s defenders played highly aggressive. They played high up the ground, threw multiple numbers at contests in the air, but didn’t have an overall cohesion.
Lyon and the Saints cleverly anticipated it.
Higgins caught them out at the back of the pack three times. Twice it was from Collingwood defenders spiking the ball out of marking contests towards the St Kilda goal and straight into HIggins path.
Yes this happened by chance but it was an anticipated chance it might happen. Very clever from Higgins and very punishing.
But nothing. Nothing. Could have anticipated the final quarter goal from the boundary to bring up his fourth for the night and kill off any Collingwood comeback. Brilliant
