Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury was exceptional in his team’s heartbreaking preliminary final loss to Sydney. Photo: AAP
Collingwood narrowly missed out on a place in the grand final with a one-point loss to Sydney. The Swans controlled the game and took a huge lead in the first half, leading by more than 30 points as Collingwood started really slowly and struggled to settle into the occasion.
The Magpies produced an impressive fightback, which is something they have become renowned for. Collingwood clawed back Sydney’s huge lead and set up a tense finish, but the Swans ultimately got over the line and in truth deserved the victory.
The Swans face Geelong in the grand final, while the Magpies will be hugely disappointed to not have made the final. Collingwood is still one of the best teams in the AFL and will maintain hopes of returning next year and becoming the overall champion of the AFL.
The star performers
Scott Pendlebury and Jack Crisp put in exceptional displays despite the defeat and if the Magpies can add some fresh additions around their star men, they could have some of the best odds for next year’s competition. Whether you’re betting in New Zealand or speculating with friends over drinks, Collingwood is on your mind, FreeBonusCode showcases the best offers and bonuses available for sports betting.
Despite the Swans thoroughly deserving their victory, the Magpies’ slow start ultimately cost them and if they could have played at the tempo they reached in the second half from the beginning of the game, perhaps the result could have been different.
Collingwood has some experienced players but for the most part, they have young players who are ambitious and certainly do not lack hunger to win but sometimes lack composure at the toughest stages. The occasion seemed to get the better of them, as it took them a significant part of the game to find their rhythm, which is to be expected of a relatively young team.
Retaining the stars
It is crucial that the Magpies keep hold of their key players and add experience in the form of new transfers too. Jordan de Goey is a man that Collingwood is going to struggle to retain, due to ongoing contract negotiations reaching a stalemate. De Goey is one of the league’s best players and if Collingwood is to return in future years and seriously compete to reach the Grand Finals, it is an absolute necessity that they keep hold of their star man.
Collingwood Coach Craig McRae has said keeping de Goey is a priority following the prelims loss, and he will certainly be a huge part of the rebuild for next season.
St Kilda have made a reasonable and responsible pitch to Jordan De Goey but it’s not a Godfather offer to blow the Pies out of the water. Why it would take something extraordinary for him not to stay in black and white. The latest with the Magpies star man is now out of contract and free to talk to any club he wishes, and Collingwood is not only reliant on him resigning to maintain their quality, but so that he does not strengthen a rival team. There is a huge amount of contract and transfer work to be done by Collingwood, but if they get it right, they could return next season stronger and perhaps as early favourites.
