Collingwood smash Western Bulldogs

5 Sep 2010, 11:43 am   -   Source: AAP
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The Pies won by 62 points, as Magpies fans booed Johnson and Hall as they came off the ground late in the game. (AAP)

The Pies won by 62 points, as Magpies fans booed Johnson and Hall as they came off the ground late in the game. (AAP)

Collingwood's goalkicking woes continued, but it just didn't matter, as they now sit one win away from the AFL grand final.

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Collingwood's goalkicking woes continued, but it just didn't matter.

In the past two weeks the AFL's minor premiers just got over the line by three points against Adelaide, despite kicking 6.18, then went down by three points to Hawthorn after scoring 13.17.

The Magpies were so dominant in the first half of Saturday night's qualifying final against the Western Bulldogs at the MCG that they held a 32-point lead at halftime despite kicking 7.15
(57).

The Bulldogs could only manage 3.7 (25) at halftime.

With skipper Nick Maxwell playing as a loose man in defence and gathering 14 possessions in the first half, the Magpies launched their full-court press defence at every opportunity, strangling the life out of the Bulldogs' attempts to go forward with any purpose.

Time and time again the Bulldogs found their chip-kicks cut off by Collingwood's defence.

When the Bulldogs went long looking for Barry Hall, they either went over his head or took so long to get the ball forward that Hall was triple-teamed.

The Bulldogs seemed to be spending more energy trying to put Collingwood's Harry O'Brien on the turf, but O'Brien got in first with a bruising bump on Hall.

Scott Pendlebury and Brownlow Medal favourite Dane Swan had 17 disposals each in the first half and some magical touches from Alan Didak and Jarryd Blair's five inside-50s gave the Magpies full control of the contest.

The Bulldogs' defence had their own problems with star fullback Brian Lake landing heavily on his shoulder and briefly leaving the field early in the second quarter, returning to battle on manfully.

Tall defender Tom Williams made several crucial mistakes, which Triple M radio commentator Garry Lyon described as "dumb football".

Ryan Griffen had 21 touches in the first half for the Bulldogs and even he seemed totally thrown by the Collingwood defence, kicking over the leading Hall's head and "fluking" a long-range goal as the ball dribbled forward and over the line.

Outclassed, out-run, out-thought, the Bulldogs needed something special to get themselves back into the game.

Shaun Higgins, Daniel Giansiracusa, lightly-built forward Jarrad Grant and veteran skipper Brad Johnson were among those who needed to lift.

Grant's big chance came in the third quarter with his side trailing by six goals. He ran clear, had a bounce and slotted through a point, as the TV camera flashed to coach Rodney Eade, who muttered under his breath and took a swig of his water bottle.

The Pies won by 62 points, as Magpies fans booed Johnson and Hall as they came off the ground late in the game.

 

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