Collingwood running machine Jack Crisp says the Magpies must find a way to hinder Demons defenders Steven May and Jake Lever in Thursday night’s qualifying final – and the statistics emphasise his point.
The Magpies experienced first hand how lethal May’s intercept-marking can be in their sole match against the Demons this season; a King’s Birthday weekend clash that ended their eight-game winning streak.
Melbourne backmen Steven May and Jake Lever are important rebounding defenders for their team.Credit: Getty
May had four intercept marks that afternoon, the equal most of any Demon, while blanketing Brody Mihocek. His team combined for 23 intercept marks, their equal most for the season.
“Finals is a different type of football. It’s going to be high-octane early; a lot of bodies flying everywhere, a lot of hard hits. But we feel like we will be ready for that from Melbourne,” Crisp said.
“We have a few big boys in there as well that can throw their weight around. We will be ready to brace for that, then send the ball flying our way forward.
“Hopefully, we can take out May and Lever, [their] intercepting players, and, hopefully, hold a lot of territory and put some scoreboard pressure on them.”
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