Dermott Brereton believes that Collingwood’s “incredible” midfield is being let down by concerning problems at both ends of the ground.
The Magpies dominated the possession count 441-363 despite the club’s largely uncompetitive display against Port Adelaide at the MCG on Saturday, losing by 31 points.
Of these 441 disposals, 132 were collected by four of the club’s leading on-ballers, Steele Sidebottom (36 touches), Adam Treloar (35), Scott Pendlebury (32) and Taylor Adams (29).
The Pies only managed to score 9.8 for the game despite just losing the inside 50 count 53-47 and only recording two less marks inside 50; two signs that Brereton considers to point to just where Collingwood’s problems are all stemming from.
“They came in at quarter time a couple of goals down... they were lucky not to be six goals down,” the five-time premiership player told SEN’s The Run Home.
“If you get a dominant midfield with over 130 possessions between them, nine out of ten times you win the game.
“Every time the ball went into Collingwood’s forward line in a one-on-one, it just seemed like they got dominated by Port Adelaide’s backline. Every time the ball went into Port Adelaide’s forward line they not only halved the contests, they seemed to win them.
“(The Magpies) seem to have some issues at either end of the ground which they must really fix up. They have an incredible midfield.”
However Terry Wallace disagrees, telling SEN’s Hungry For Sport that the Pies midfield could be the source of the issues despite their large numbers.
The former Richmond and Western Bulldogs coach says that, while not intended, the bad habit of midfielders padding their stats with short lateral kicks could be begatively impacting the 5-8 side.
“Some senior players get away with bad habits. I’m not saying that they do them on purpose, I think it is more something that just gets into your game,” said Wallace.
“I’ll go to Richmond last year. Dusty Martin getting cheap kicks kicking sideways across the ground and Trent Cotchin around the back getting little short, chip kicks to try and get a second option. All of a sudden that gets taken out of their game and they’ve become better players and it’s straightened up the Richmond footy club to make them a better side.
“I think some of those players are getting kicks to stack up their numbers rather than actually doing things that are better for the team.”
Kevin Bartlett agreed, believing the combined 27 goals this season from the four Magpies in question just isn’t enough for a gun midfield outfit.
“Collingwood needs its midfield stars to kick goals and to me it doesn’t seem like a priority for them,” the Tigers great said.
“You have 110 possessions from three of your gun on-ballers and they did not impact the scoreboard once themselves, not even a behind.
“I know they can assist other players in getting a score, but I do think gun on-ball players get so much of the football, they should be thinking part of their job is to impact the scoreboard.”