The system rolls on as Magpies prepare for Saints
Talk to coach Craig McRae or any of his players and it is rare for "system" not to come up in conversation.
It is still a long way from the Jock McHale-coached teams that won four-straight premierships between 1927-30 and earned the Machine nickname.
But it is a philosophy that has powered Collingwood to a game clear at the top of the ladder, with a game in hand.
Coming out of the bye and without injured stars Jordan De Goey and Brayden Maynard, Collingwood are short-priced favourites for Saturday night's clash with St Kilda at Marvel Stadium.
"All year has just been multiple 'system' wins - not relying necessarily on one person to get the job done, not relying on one forward to get the job done," said in-form Magpies backman Isaac Quaynor.
A case in point is their most recent game, the one-point King's Birthday win over Melbourne.
Quaynor and fellow defenders Josh Daicos and Jeremy Howe were outstanding in a pulsating clash, where gaining territory was key.
Between Quaynor's pace, Daicos' scything ball use and Howe's intercept marking, they repeatedly thwarted the Demons and launched counter punches.
Star onballer Nick Daicos struggled to shake off Ed Langdon's tag - and he can expect similar attention from Marcus Windager on Saturday night - but ultimately the system held sway.
As much as Melbourne pressed hard late - and there were certainly some dicey moments - for a big chunk of the last quarter it looked like Collingwood were under control.
"Way to hold up, way to fight, way to get contest done - Melbourne always seem to get a fair few inside 50s against us and we always seem to hold up really well," Quaynor said.
"So it's a good backline to be part of and we can keep building.
"That felt like a final.
"There was definitely a period of the game where they started getting on top. We thought we adjusted, but it's just our 'team D' (defence) taking care of things and backing in our system."
Midfielder Pat Lipinski will return from concussion on Saturday and youngster Will Hayes made way for him.
Coming off a 72-point thumping from the Western Bulldogs, the Saints will give defender Alix Tauru his AFL debut.
Mattaes Phillipou and Darcy Wilson will return as the Saints dropped Zak Jones, Jack Carroll and Ryan Byrnes.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
‘Embarrassing' act behind viral AFL photo of Harry Sheezel
North Melbourne star Harry Sheezel brought his own footy to Ninja Stadium in Hobart on Sunday. The 20-year-old ran riot as he equalled the VFL/AFL record by racking up an extraordinary 54 disposals against Richmond. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Sheezel blew away North's previous all-time record of 44 as he etched his name into the record books alongside Tom Mitchell. His final touch came with less than a minute remaining in the contest as North recorded the 20.15 (135) to 13.9 (87) victory. Sheezel's day ultimately ended with 54 disposals, two goals, seven marks, six clearances and 688m gained. After the game the North star sat in the changerooms holding up a piece of paper with 54 written on it, emulating the viral image of Wilt Chamberlain from his 100 point NBA game. Richmond coach Adem Yze was asked about the club's decision not to impose a hard tag on Sheezel as he continued to rack up possessions. 'At halftime I think he had 20 odd and the game was in the balance,' Yze said. 'The third quarter I didn't see that as being a big issue, especially early. He did go forward and kick a couple of goals. 'Jack Ross went to him for a little bit and obviously he's just good enough to go and change position. 'I think he ended up with 12 or 13 in the last quarter and we kicked six goals so you're always looking at those numbers. He obviously had a great game and he's a terrific kid.' Essendon legend James Hird took aim at the club for allowing Sheezel to run free, labelling it an 'embarrassing' decision. 'I think after getting 28 exactly in the first and 26 and 2 (goals) in the second half for a total of 54, I think someone needs to go near him more,' Hird said on Nine's Footy Furnace. 'They didn't even tag just at stoppages. Start on him around a stoppage or start on him around the ball. 'For me I think that becomes a bit embarrassing for the Richmond football club that somebody is able to get that many possessions. 'Good on him, it takes a lot of hard work and a lot of effort to get there. 54 shows that the Richmond team were going that way and North Melbourne were going the other way.' Geelong great Jimmy Bartel says the club could have used it as a teaching method for one of their own young players. 'You could have used that as a teaching moment by sending someone to him,' Bartel said. 'I know he's going to be too good and I think that's the point Yze was trying to make. 'But it didn't really matter in the end because Richmond own North's pick.' The win sees North Melbourne pick up a fifth win of the season and jump Richmond in 16th place on the ladder with one game left in the home and away season.
Mercury
2 hours ago
- Mercury
‘Looked like Mumbai': Geelong coach Chris Scott takes aim at SCG pitch
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. The SCG surface is again under fire, but this time for a 'rock-hard centre wicket' which 'looked like Mumbai', according to Geelong coach Chris Scott. The dual premiership coach was shown pre-game examining the turf, ahead of his side's 43-point win over Sydney, shaking his head in apparent frustration. It is a different part of the ground to the one which caused controversy earlier in the season, when the Paddington End was unstable and slippery, causing players to fall over during games. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. That problem was blamed on a pre-season Andrea Bocelli concert held at the SCG whereas this issue is related to the ground's decision not to use a drop-in pitch for cricket purposes. 'The actual surface looks beautiful. The rye grass is quite soft,' Scott explained. 'I know there's been a lot of rain up here, but it's the contrast between the quite soft area outside the centre square and then pretty rock-hard centre wicket area that's just not conducive to AFL football. And so the strange part with so much rain is that it's covered all the time, and you've got this baked, you know, it looked like (a) Mumbai (cricket pitch) out there. Chris Scott wasn't happy with the state of the SCG centre wicket turf. 'So that's, again, that's for them to work through. But I mean, my position would be, if you think that's optimal for AFL football, you don't understand what's optimal for AFL football. 'But again, not my concern really. Well, it was my concern today, but I wouldn't read too much into my body language, if there was someone filming me and I didn't know. 'Well, I guess it's my chance to explain it - I wasn't that worried. It was exactly what we expected. We rocked up here yesterday and the centre wicket's covered. 'Not sure there's having there's much point having a training session the day before when the pitch is covered. It's pretty much the reason we're here.' Originally published as 'Looked like Mumbai': Geelong coach Chris Scott takes aim at SCG pitch
The Age
3 hours ago
- The Age
Rare and early honour for Oscar Piastri in Melbourne
Oscar Piastri's status as one of Australia's best athletes will be further recognised at next year's Australian Grand Prix when the young Formula 1 maestro will have a grandstand named after him. Having already matched or surpassed the number of career grand prix wins by fellow Australian drivers, 24-year-old Piastri could yet enter the 2026 F1 season-opener as the reigning world champion. In any case, Piastri's name will adorn a grandstand in the main straight, opposite pit lane. The Melbourne-raised racer leads the F1 driver standings – on 284 points, with McLaren teammate Lando Norris in second place on 275 points. Eight-time grand prix winner Piastri has already won six races on the 2025 F1 calendar, and it's shaping as a showdown between him and Norris for overall individual glory. Loading Other Australian drivers who already have a grandstand named after them at the Albert Park street circuit include Jack Brabham, Arthur Waite, Alan Jones, Daniel Ricciardo and Mark Webber. 'It feels very surreal, and I never thought this would happen, but the support is incredible and I can't wait to see it all come together next March,' Piastri said in a statement. 'Seeing all the fans in my own grandstand directly opposite the McLaren garage is going to be an amazing experience, and I'm really looking forward to feeling the energy and the atmosphere.'
