High-flying Magpies won't shift AFL finals focus
Craig McRae's focus on simply qualifying for the AFL finals won't shift despite Collingwood surging six points clear on top of the ladder ahead of their mid-season bye.
The Magpies head to a well-earned break with an enviable 11-2 record, having claimed a fifth-straight win in an epic King's Birthday clash with Melbourne.
McRae's men could hardly be in a better position in a campaign that started with accusations they were too old and too slow after a first-up thumping from GWS.
But the 2023 premiership coach won't be tempted to alter his ambitions heading into the second half of the season.
"We're in this phase of qualifying and there's no other thing we're doing at the moment," McRae said after his side's 11.6 (72) to 10.11 (71) victory over Melbourne.
"There's no bigger outcome than just getting enough wins to play finals.
"We're all in the same (boat) and today was a really good result because the opposition were very, very good."
McRae conceded the win over Melbourne wasn't overly pretty after watching his side cough up a 20-point third-quarter lead.
The Demons hit the front briefly in the final term, when they finally began to take advantage of their ascendancy at the coalface.
Dan McStay's late goal put Collingwood back in front before Dees duo Max Gawn and Koltyn Tholstrup missed chances to snatch the game away in the dying stages.
"They're probably in there thinking they let one slip because all the numbers suggest they dominated phases of the game, particularly the contest," McRae said.
"The contest was enormous but we found a way to win and that's what we do at the moment."
Collingwood can further press their claims for an important top-two finish with three straight games against bottom-half teams - St Kilda, West Coast and Carlton - on return from the bye.
Brayden Maynard (foot) could come back against the Saints, with Jordan De Goey (achilles) and Lachie Schultz (hamstring) also set to play roles in the second half of the season.
The biggest flashpoint of Monday's match perhaps came after the final siren, when Demons duo Max Gawn and Steven May clashed.
With less than a minute left, Gawn's miscued kick after a mark in the back pocket went straight to Collingwood's Will Hoskin-Elliott to confirm the result.
May angrily approached Gawn on the final siren. The captain also made his feelings clear before pushing May away.
"Two competitors, frustrated - two leaders (who) have an incredibly strong relationship, obviously disappointed with the outcome," said Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin.
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The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
High-flying Magpies won't shift AFL finals focus
Craig McRae's focus on simply qualifying for the AFL finals won't shift despite Collingwood surging six points clear on top of the ladder ahead of their mid-season bye. The Magpies head to a well-earned break with an enviable 11-2 record, having claimed a fifth-straight win in an epic King's Birthday clash with Melbourne. McRae's men could hardly be in a better position in a campaign that started with accusations they were too old and too slow after a first-up thumping from GWS. But the 2023 premiership coach won't be tempted to alter his ambitions heading into the second half of the season. "We're in this phase of qualifying and there's no other thing we're doing at the moment," McRae said after his side's 11.6 (72) to 10.11 (71) victory over Melbourne. "There's no bigger outcome than just getting enough wins to play finals. "We're all in the same (boat) and today was a really good result because the opposition were very, very good." McRae conceded the win over Melbourne wasn't overly pretty after watching his side cough up a 20-point third-quarter lead. The Demons hit the front briefly in the final term, when they finally began to take advantage of their ascendancy at the coalface. Dan McStay's late goal put Collingwood back in front before Dees duo Max Gawn and Koltyn Tholstrup missed chances to snatch the game away in the dying stages. "They're probably in there thinking they let one slip because all the numbers suggest they dominated phases of the game, particularly the contest," McRae said. "The contest was enormous but we found a way to win and that's what we do at the moment." Collingwood can further press their claims for an important top-two finish with three straight games against bottom-half teams - St Kilda, West Coast and Carlton - on return from the bye. Brayden Maynard (foot) could come back against the Saints, with Jordan De Goey (achilles) and Lachie Schultz (hamstring) also set to play roles in the second half of the season. The biggest flashpoint of Monday's match perhaps came after the final siren, when Demons duo Max Gawn and Steven May clashed. With less than a minute left, Gawn's miscued kick after a mark in the back pocket went straight to Collingwood's Will Hoskin-Elliott to confirm the result. May angrily approached Gawn on the final siren. The captain also made his feelings clear before pushing May away. "Two competitors, frustrated - two leaders (who) have an incredibly strong relationship, obviously disappointed with the outcome," said Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin. Craig McRae's focus on simply qualifying for the AFL finals won't shift despite Collingwood surging six points clear on top of the ladder ahead of their mid-season bye. The Magpies head to a well-earned break with an enviable 11-2 record, having claimed a fifth-straight win in an epic King's Birthday clash with Melbourne. McRae's men could hardly be in a better position in a campaign that started with accusations they were too old and too slow after a first-up thumping from GWS. But the 2023 premiership coach won't be tempted to alter his ambitions heading into the second half of the season. "We're in this phase of qualifying and there's no other thing we're doing at the moment," McRae said after his side's 11.6 (72) to 10.11 (71) victory over Melbourne. "There's no bigger outcome than just getting enough wins to play finals. "We're all in the same (boat) and today was a really good result because the opposition were very, very good." McRae conceded the win over Melbourne wasn't overly pretty after watching his side cough up a 20-point third-quarter lead. The Demons hit the front briefly in the final term, when they finally began to take advantage of their ascendancy at the coalface. Dan McStay's late goal put Collingwood back in front before Dees duo Max Gawn and Koltyn Tholstrup missed chances to snatch the game away in the dying stages. "They're probably in there thinking they let one slip because all the numbers suggest they dominated phases of the game, particularly the contest," McRae said. "The contest was enormous but we found a way to win and that's what we do at the moment." Collingwood can further press their claims for an important top-two finish with three straight games against bottom-half teams - St Kilda, West Coast and Carlton - on return from the bye. Brayden Maynard (foot) could come back against the Saints, with Jordan De Goey (achilles) and Lachie Schultz (hamstring) also set to play roles in the second half of the season. The biggest flashpoint of Monday's match perhaps came after the final siren, when Demons duo Max Gawn and Steven May clashed. With less than a minute left, Gawn's miscued kick after a mark in the back pocket went straight to Collingwood's Will Hoskin-Elliott to confirm the result. May angrily approached Gawn on the final siren. The captain also made his feelings clear before pushing May away. "Two competitors, frustrated - two leaders (who) have an incredibly strong relationship, obviously disappointed with the outcome," said Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin. Craig McRae's focus on simply qualifying for the AFL finals won't shift despite Collingwood surging six points clear on top of the ladder ahead of their mid-season bye. The Magpies head to a well-earned break with an enviable 11-2 record, having claimed a fifth-straight win in an epic King's Birthday clash with Melbourne. McRae's men could hardly be in a better position in a campaign that started with accusations they were too old and too slow after a first-up thumping from GWS. But the 2023 premiership coach won't be tempted to alter his ambitions heading into the second half of the season. "We're in this phase of qualifying and there's no other thing we're doing at the moment," McRae said after his side's 11.6 (72) to 10.11 (71) victory over Melbourne. "There's no bigger outcome than just getting enough wins to play finals. "We're all in the same (boat) and today was a really good result because the opposition were very, very good." McRae conceded the win over Melbourne wasn't overly pretty after watching his side cough up a 20-point third-quarter lead. The Demons hit the front briefly in the final term, when they finally began to take advantage of their ascendancy at the coalface. Dan McStay's late goal put Collingwood back in front before Dees duo Max Gawn and Koltyn Tholstrup missed chances to snatch the game away in the dying stages. "They're probably in there thinking they let one slip because all the numbers suggest they dominated phases of the game, particularly the contest," McRae said. "The contest was enormous but we found a way to win and that's what we do at the moment." Collingwood can further press their claims for an important top-two finish with three straight games against bottom-half teams - St Kilda, West Coast and Carlton - on return from the bye. Brayden Maynard (foot) could come back against the Saints, with Jordan De Goey (achilles) and Lachie Schultz (hamstring) also set to play roles in the second half of the season. The biggest flashpoint of Monday's match perhaps came after the final siren, when Demons duo Max Gawn and Steven May clashed. With less than a minute left, Gawn's miscued kick after a mark in the back pocket went straight to Collingwood's Will Hoskin-Elliott to confirm the result. May angrily approached Gawn on the final siren. The captain also made his feelings clear before pushing May away. "Two competitors, frustrated - two leaders (who) have an incredibly strong relationship, obviously disappointed with the outcome," said Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin.
Perth Now
4 hours ago
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Roar straight to the top
Reigning premiers Western Roar cemented the WA Netball League minor premiership with one round to play after defeating a dogged West Coast Warriors 49-41 in round 13 last week. Roar were disciplined from end to end in the first and final quarters to cemented the win. Some quick work in goals by Warriors Jamaica Jauncey (29) and Hana Stokes (11) brought West Coast into the game following quarter time but Roar's Sophia Lamers (34) and Asha Parsons (15) were too formidable to overcome as they sealed top spot. Your local paper, whenever you want it. The Comets moved into second spot on the ladder on Wednesday night following their 66-61 defeat of the Fremantle Sharks, with the Demons clash with Peel Lightning taking place two days later in the marquee Friday night timeslot. Sharks' trio Kasey Ridout (29), Mwai Kumwenda (17) and Sophie Eastaugh (13) are becoming increasingly in tune with one another but Comets Jasmah Haywood (36), Sloan Burton (17) and Madeleine Ash (13) all had solid performances in goals to secure the vital win. The Demons could have regained second spot on the ladder on Friday thanks to a superior percentage but could only hold fifth-placed Peel Lightning to 46-46 draw. Lightning surged out to a seven-goal lead in the first term and maintained a four-goal lead at half-time before the Demons fought back in the second half but they could not snatch the win. Chelsea Cook led the way for the Lightning with 23 goals, supported by Marene Peyper (18) and Rebecca Lill (five), while Kelsey McPhee shot 26 for the Demons with Georgia Ettridge (12), Brooke Marques (three) and Meg Gallager (five) all chiming in. Last-placed Rangers fell heart-breakingly short of their first win of the season against the team just above them on the ladder, Souwest Jets, losing by just one goal, 47-46 The Rangers got off to a strong start in the first quarter with Aisha Morcombe (32), Emily Cramond (11) and 21/U athlete Jade Dime (three) sharing the goals. But Jets players stepped up to secure their second win of the season, with Lily Gilsenan shooting 28, including the winning goal, and Meretini Fuimaono scoring 19.
West Australian
5 hours ago
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High-flying Magpies won't shift AFL finals focus
Craig McRae's focus on simply qualifying for the AFL finals won't shift despite Collingwood surging six points clear on top of the ladder ahead of their mid-season bye. The Magpies head to a well-earned break with an enviable 11-2 record, having claimed a fifth-straight win in an epic King's Birthday clash with Melbourne. McRae's men could hardly be in a better position in a campaign that started with accusations they were too old and too slow after a first-up thumping from GWS. But the 2023 premiership coach won't be tempted to alter his ambitions heading into the second half of the season. "We're in this phase of qualifying and there's no other thing we're doing at the moment," McRae said after his side's 11.6 (72) to 10.11 (71) victory over Melbourne. "There's no bigger outcome than just getting enough wins to play finals. "We're all in the same (boat) and today was a really good result because the opposition were very, very good." McRae conceded the win over Melbourne wasn't overly pretty after watching his side cough up a 20-point third-quarter lead. The Demons hit the front briefly in the final term, when they finally began to take advantage of their ascendancy at the coalface. Dan McStay's late goal put Collingwood back in front before Dees duo Max Gawn and Koltyn Tholstrup missed chances to snatch the game away in the dying stages. "They're probably in there thinking they let one slip because all the numbers suggest they dominated phases of the game, particularly the contest," McRae said. "The contest was enormous but we found a way to win and that's what we do at the moment." Collingwood can further press their claims for an important top-two finish with three straight games against bottom-half teams - St Kilda, West Coast and Carlton - on return from the bye. Brayden Maynard (foot) could come back against the Saints, with Jordan De Goey (achilles) and Lachie Schultz (hamstring) also set to play roles in the second half of the season. The biggest flashpoint of Monday's match perhaps came after the final siren, when Demons duo Max Gawn and Steven May clashed. With less than a minute left, Gawn's miscued kick after a mark in the back pocket went straight to Collingwood's Will Hoskin-Elliott to confirm the result. May angrily approached Gawn on the final siren. The captain also made his feelings clear before pushing May away. "Two competitors, frustrated - two leaders (who) have an incredibly strong relationship, obviously disappointed with the outcome," said Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin.
