Singing the Blues, Cotterell style
Carlton is in the grip of Josh Fraser mania as the Blues chalk up their fifth straight victory and emerge as a wild card threat after a horrible start to the season.
Such is the lightness of mood at new-look Carlton, one of their players has taken to playing the harmonica as part of their post-match celebrations.
The footy world looked on in amusement on Saturday afternoon when Matthew Cottrell pulled out the instrument and belted out a rendition of Billy Joel’s Piano Man before the playing group launched into their theme song.
They had just beaten Greater Western Sydney at Engie Stadium by 23 points.
Super Sam the toast of Collingwood
Youngster Sam Swadling was the talk of the Collingwood change rooms following his side’s solid 27-point victory over Port Adelaide at the MCG – 11.12 (78) to 6.15 (51).
The 19-year-old No.37 draft pick had an impressive second half in his AFL debut, including a 50m goal on the left foot that brought members of the Magpie Army to their feet.
“We’ve always known he can play,” Collingwood coach Craig Mcrae told Fox Footy.
“Like, he walks in the building, and you go, ‘Oh, wow’, I don’t know if you go to a yearling sale and go, ‘that horse looks good’, but he’s got some real class about him.
Analysis: Why this win was a pleasant distraction
Saturday night’s runaway 27-point victory over Port Adelaide provides a pleasant distraction from the reality of Collingwood’s ageing list situation.
It won’t stop Jordan De Goey issuing a cheeky SOS for would-be Magpie recruits such as Lachie Neale (like he did on the radio this week), or one of his Power opponents, in-demand free agent Zak Butters.
If not for De Goey and Nick Daicos’ second-quarter intervention, this might have been a drastically different night for a Collingwood side that looks unlikely to challenge even for the new wildcard finals round.
‘Jordy De Goey went ballistic’
Nick Daicos has praised fellow onballer Jordan De Goey’s match-winning performance, declaring he was the game’s best player in Collingwood’s 27-point victory over Port Adelaide at the MCG.
Daicos said the Magpies needed De Goey’s brilliance after they were locked in an arm wrestle across the first two quarters.
The Magpies trailed by a point at half-time before nailing five goals in the third term and winning 11.12 (78) to 6.15 (51). Neither side kicked a goal in the final term.
“I think we were probably a little bit more daring [after half-time], got our defence in check, and then Jordy De Goey went ballistic, which always helps,” Daicos told Fox Footy.
Devastating blow for Ratugolea
Port Adelaide defender Esava Ratugolea faces a year on the sidelines following a devastating knee injury in the Power’s 27-point loss to Collingwood at the MCG – 11.12 (78) to 6.15 (51).
Ratugolea’s right knee buckled underneath him during a marking contest just three minutes before the three-quarter time siren, and he was taken from the ground on a motorised cart.
Port coach Josh Carr said it looked like Ratugolea had ruptured a patellar tendon and he had been taken to hospital.
“He will most likely get an operation tonight,” Carr said after the game.
Pies are on fire
The Power have hit the wall.
They seem deflated following a knee injury to key defender Esava Ratugolea, who was taken from the ground during the third quarter on a motorised cart.
As a result, they have fallen away. They have not kicked a goal since half-time.
The Magpies are dominating possession, but not smashing the scoreboard. It does not help that Jack Buller has missed a couple of easy shots.
The Magpies 11.11 (77) lead Port 6.13 (49).
The biggest interest now is on best-on-ground honours. Jordan De Goey (26 disposals and three goals) has his nose in front of Nick Daicos (37 disposals and one goal).
Howe takes a screamer
Jeremy Howe has pulled in a beauty.
He sits on the back of Todd Marshall and has serious hang time before snatching the ball out of the air.
It is probably not in his best 10, but it is still a top-line speccy.
It also brings the Collingwood fans to their feet, and adds some spice to this final quarter, which is losing its edge as a spectacle because the Magpies look home, leading 11.9 (75) to 6.13 (49).
Analysis: Goal drought strikes Port
Port Adelaide have suddenly gone more than 40 minutes without a goal under a sustained Collingwood onslaught that erased a 19-point deficit and propelled them to a 28-point three-quarter-time lead.
It is hard to believe how drastically this match has changed in that period, but Power coach Josh Carr will be more concerned with losing three players to injuries that quarter.
Jack Lukosius (calf) – in his first senior match in two months – was the first domino to fall, and then Esava Ratugolea and Ewan Mackinlay each went down.
3QT: Pies seize control
Collingwood have Port Adelaide on the ropes.
They head into the final break with a 28-point lead. They booted a goal 30 seconds before the three-quarter-time siren after Nick Daicos hit up Jordan De Goey with a left foot pass from the boundary line on the run.
De Goey played on and snapped truly. He has three goals for the night and these two are neck-and-neck for best on ground. Daicos has 29 possessions and one goal, while De Goey has 23 possessions and three goals.
Collingwood trailed by a point at half-time but then booted five unanswered goals in the third term to seize control of the match – 11.8 (74) to 6.10 (46).
The Power have been hit by injuries. Big defender Esava Ratugolea looks to have suffered a serious knee injury, which buckled in a marking contest, while Jack Lukosius is out of the match with a calf issue.
Injury drama at the MCG
Big concerns for Port defender Esava Ratugolea, who looks to have suffered a serious knee injury.
The intercept defender’s right knee buckled as he prepared to fly for a marking contest deep in Collingwood’s forward line.
He immediately grabbed at his leg in pain. They have loaded him onto a motorised cart to be taken from the ground.
The injury comes with three minutes remaining until half-time.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
