If you were asked to describe the performance of the Collingwood Football Club in this game, how would you do it in one word?
Clinical?
Precise?
Meticulous?
Ruthless?
Complete?
I’d gravitate to the last one, if I was forced to choose, but you could slot any of those words in to describe the way the Pies went about dismantling the Hawks, and you wouldn’t be wrong.
I’m not sure whether this game told us more about the Magpies, or the Hawks. The Pies were able to put together the type of game that you’d struggle to pick fault with, whereas the Hawks were leaking like a spaghetti strainer.
The key statistic for most will likely be the huge discrepancy in tackling, with Collingwood able to amass an incredible +44 advantage over the course of the game. For the second-straight week, Hawthorn were restricted to just 38 tackles, whilst Collingwood not only made the most of their opportunities, they applied the type of pressure the Hawks could not withstand.
With 82 tackles, they simply broke Hawthorn. Broke them physically, and broke them mentally.
I’ve often thought that when a team shows you who they are, you believe them.
Have Collingwood shown us who they are? Because I have a feeling Hawthorn may have done exactly that in this game… and I cannot see any of their supporters liking what they saw.
The other key stat for me was the precision with which the Pies delivered the footy inside 50. Whether it was loose checking from Hawthorn, or superior skill from the Pies, it doesn’t matter. It was too easy, and in a game where the Hawks actually had one more inside 50, it felt as though the Pies won this in a landslide.
There is a ton to get through in this one, and be forewarned if you’re a Hawks supporter… this will not be pleasant reading. If you’re a Pies supporter, however, buckle up. You were superb.
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