Pies deliver good news
COLLINGWOOD put behind it two weeks of headlines and delivered a crushing win over Hawthorn at Giants Stadium last night.
Coach Nathan Buckley looked emotionless when he should have been ecstatic.
The build-up focused on the Magpies’ two weeks in football hell, where back-to-back losses were only the backdrop to deeper off-field issues.
Lost in the discussion was the fact Buckley entered with a 1-11 (8.3 per cent) record against Alastair Clarkson, and a star missing from every line
Mihocek 4, Hoskin-Elliott 2, Kelly, Cox. Smith, McEvoy, Gunston.
Treloar, Mihocek, Elliott, Adams, Wills.
Sicily, Mitchell,
Smith, McEvoy Day. in Jeremy Howe, Steele Sidebottom and Jordan De Goey.
But it was Clarkson’s turn for an unwanted record with
Hawthorn’s 3.9 (27) not only its lowest score under the master coach, but its smallest total since 1964.
The Magpies won the first seven clearances and shot to a 19-0 lead.
Struggling forwards Jamie Elliott (four clearances) and Jaidyn Stephenson were sent to the centre square and wing and the Magpies lowered their eyes going inside 50m.
Brody Mihocek booted 3.1 in the first half — all from marks in space. The hit-ups limited Ben McEvoy’s intercept game as Collingwood won the territory battle.
The Hawks are now 0-5 at Giants stadium with a date against Melbourne at the venue in Round 7.
Buckley called Craig Kelly on Monday to tell him to drive to Sydney because son Will Kelly would be making his AFL debut.
But the 1990 premiership player opted to stay home, though three minutes in he might have rued it as Will slotted a goal from 50m.
Sadly in the last quarter Kelly clutched his arm, finishing the game in a sling.
Teammate Atu Bosenavulagi shone brightest of the four debutants on the night with his blend of pace and punch.
The Fijian’s 16 disposals were largely damaging.
Hawthorn’s No.13 pick Will Day needs time in the gym but looks to have a razor-sharp right foot while fellow South
Australian Josh showed his hard edge.
This season the Hawks have been hot or cold, with no middle ground.
They beat up on top-four teams Brisbane Lions and Richmond and have now been beaten up by Geelong, the Giants and Collingwood.
Playmaker Chad Wingard would be leading the best-andfairest with his golden ball use going inside 50m ranked No.1 in the AFL.
But last night Wingard spent the first half playing in front of the ball and he had only three disposals. The game’s best “money kick” was nowhere to be seen.
Morris