The Western Bulldogs hosting Collingwood at Marvel Stadium. It would’ve been a long and arduous journey for the Magpies and their supporters. No doubt some GPS devices were stolen to help them navigate across town to what should be considered an interstate trip for the black and white. I mean, how can the AFL expect to generate any revenue at all when they are sending Collingwood to these tinpot sized stadiums, with the MCG sitting idle just up the road?
Focusing up now, on the field there were some intriguing matchups. The Bulldogs get Tim English back to take on one of the more consistent rucks in the league in the form of Darcy Cameron. Cameron may not be in the elite category this year as he adjusts to the new ruck rules, but he is still a formidable opponent. How the Dogs handle English and Lobb, who acquitted himself well last week back in his old position, will be telling as to coach Luke Beveridges planning for the Magpies, who appear to have gone a bit smaller this week in light of their injuries.
Collingwood has lost their captain in Darcy Moore and talisman in Jamie Elliott. Craig McRae’s response to losing so much experience has been to give more youth a crack. Bringing in revelation Angus “Angry” Anderson, Harvey “Dent” Harrison and Wil “Peter” Parker. It is good to see Collingwood actually trying to get younger for the first time in recent memory. They need to rejuvenate as one of the oldest lists in the competition and appear to have slipped outside the top echelon of teams competing for the premiership. We will wait with bated breath to see how Collingwood goes about trying to kick a competitive score.
The recent matchups between these two teams have actually been quite good. They’ve delivered entertaining games each of the last three years, with the Magpies holding a slight edge. Both teams have copped some significant injuries. Nobody in this contest is anywhere near full strength. It’s a battle of wills and grit to see who can keep their season on course, and who is staring down a battle for a wildcard spot.
Oh, and who could forget the battle of the titans occurring in this match. The best player in the competition Marcus Bontempelli leading his team against his most publicised rival in Nick Daicos. The Bont vs The Maestro. It’s required viewing for lovers of the game.
Now let’s go watch the game and dive into the stuff that mattered…
Game notes:
The Bulldogs dominated the contest and took the ball directly inside 50. They weren’t messing around and were taking ground whenever they got a look, backing themselves in one-on-ones up the field. Collingwood, however, preferred to share the ball, mainly driving their game off forcing turnovers rather than from the stoppage. The Magpies were using every bit of width of Marvel as they tried to spread the Bulldogs’ defensive structure, balancing the boundary line like a tight rope on multiple occasions.
There were some adjustments in the second half, as Collingwood tried to move the ball quicker and put more pressure on the Bulldogs defence. This paid dividends as they were able to close the gap quickly. However, the Bulldogs showed their wares and pushed the margin back out. Collingwood just lacked that little bit of class to get them over the top.
Magpie fans can take heart that even though their team is suffering in terms of personnel and injuries, they don’t lack in the areas of grit and heart. Three times this mongrel thought the Bulldogs had done enough to seal this victory and snuff out the Collingwood challenge, only for them to dig deeper and go again.
In the end it was another classic finish as these two teams continue their reputation of producing high quality matches whenever they meet.
The Best Stuff
Artie Jones
You could argue Jones was the difference in the first half of the game. Everything he touched turned to gold for the Bulldogs. His smarts around the ball and anticipation of the play is crazy. A good low centre of gravity to evade tackles, and some quick feet to match how fast he processes the game. Some smooth handball skills on show as well, as he released his teammates into scoring positions once the Magpies realised he was the dangerous threat on the ground.
Jordan de Goey
This was vintage de Goey. A lot will be made of Bontempelli and Daicos, but de Goey was the most important player on the ground. If Collingwood were going to win this match, it rested on de Goey’s shoulders. When he got the ball, they looked dangerous. Hell, they were dangerous.
You couldn’t miss his fluro orange boots meandering around the middle of the ground most of the night. It was telling that every time Collingwood was challenged or looked like challenging, it was de Goey that was involved to get them going again. And unlike his more vaunted counterparts, there were no controversial umpiring calls associated with his play. No gifted disposals on history or on name. Just brute strength and skill. It felt like all of Collingwood’s goals came from him, sans that one where Shultz tackles Sanders without the ball for Daicos to collect.
Tim English
Must be nice to get such a good player back when you need him. Cameron Darcy is no slouch, and Tim English beat him so comprehensively that it was a telling point of deciding this match. Cameron couldn’t get his hand on the ball in centre bounce. Not only that, but English was able to push forward and kick a couple goals. He looked like the type of ruck that Bulldogs fans would’ve dreamed of from when he was drafted. Strong, powerful and aerobic. Kicking big goals, winning decisive ruck taps, and taking game saving defensive marks.
Fitting that when the Dogs needed him one more time, English stood up and took the big grab. That was All-Australian Tim English making another appearance. The Dogs have missed that version.
The Good Stuff
Lachie Shultz
With Jamie Elliott now gone from the team, the Pies needed Shultz to be the player they recruited him to be, and he was every bit of it. He chased hard and pressured like a mad man, and then he took his opportunities to kick goals when presented. He even flew high like Elliott at one point in the third.
Will Lewis
Looks to be a find for the Bulldogs. Really solid. Bobbed up in each quarter doing something handy. Much like Shultz but at a bargain price. Applying pressure. Taking some strong marks. Kicking the sealing goal with a couple minutes go would’ve been a very sweet moment (if it was the sealing goal).
When it’s not your night, but it can be your moment
Aaron Naughton had a poor night by his standards. Made even worse when you account for the fact that the Magpies key defensive stocks were made up of Jeremy Howe and Billy Frampton. But halfway through the last quarter when the ball spilled in the Bulldogs forward 50, Naughton snapped truly to give the Dogs what would this mongrel first thought would be a game winning lead.
The Bad Stuff
The Push in the back is dead.
Not just in this game, although it had its instances of this rule no longer being enforced. The push in the back free kick is effectively dead. Particularly the one for when a player is kicking the football. If you get one of those, you should celebrate, as Christmas has come early! To be clear, this rule wasn’t removed, it’s just no longer officiated correctly. Maybe we can hold out hope of it being drawn in the rule of the week raffle at some point later in the year.
For those wondering, you are not allowed to push a player in the back when they are kicking the ball. It has slowly crept back into the game, and it is now rife to the point that you will find at least once occurrence in every single game you watch. All of them go unchecked and without a free kick paid.
Buku Khamis
It’s a lonely place in football when you are being exposed one-on-one. Khamis is asked to play a significant role in the Dogs defence, despite his level of inexperience and also being slightly undersized for a key back. If Luke Beveridge is going to persist with him being the key pillar in defence, he needs to commit to giving him more support.
Khamis did look to fight back and steady himself late in the third. However, he then got outpointed by Shultz in the last quarter, which is just unforgivable for a key defender. Either way, it’s not like Collingwood has the biggest or most dominant big forwards. The Bulldogs will be nervous when they come back up against some of the beasts in the competition.
The Other Stuff
How funny was Pat Lipinski going down after kicking the goal and giving it to the Bulldogs cheer squad. That’s some good old fashion family fun, eh Cotton.
Will Lewis also copped a fantastic falcon in the last quarter.
The Young Bloods
Bulldogs:
Jordan Croft
Started this game very slowly. Like a snail’s pace. But he did have an impact, which is hard to believe for a player with only seven disposals to his name and no scoreboard impact. He backed into pack with courage in early third quarter. A good sign. He got crunched and got up.
Then Croft went back again later on in the third and set up the first English goal. After that, he Just kept growing and growing as the game went on. To the point where he looked like he belonged out there in the final five minutes. He was not overawed by the moment.
Michael Sellwood
Really grew in confidence during the third quarter. Struggled to get involved in the first half. A few big contests and he became a very important player across half back for the Bulldogs.
Then took his moment when it came.
Back with the flight in the final minute of play and rising up against the pack and pulling down a herculean mark, reminiscent of Leo Barry. He knew the pack was coming. He knew the risk. But if you watch the vision, his eyes never deviate from the ball. He watched it all the way into his hands, which gripped that ball like a vice!
That’s a player you want on your team. What a moment for the young fella.
Magpies:
Angus Anderson
Big moments came in the second half as well. The first was late in the third quarter. Took the mark on the lead and assessed his options before drilling the goal from outside 50. Brought the margin back to within three goals at three-quarter-time. Then another late in the last quarter to bring it within four points. One of the few Pies “younger” players that didn’t get lost in the moment and lifted as the game went on.
Roan Steele
Playing on the wing. Thought he had good moments and held his width well. Built into the game for a strong second and third quarter. Took his opportunity for a good goal in the third after some de Goey bullocking. Unlike the other guys mentioned in this section, he struggled to find the footy as easily in the last, but you can’t say he didn’t keep working up and back on that far wing.
What’s Next?
Western Bulldogs
The Bulldogs have steadied their season. Two wins in a row and they now sit ninth and firmly inside the wildcard bracket. They potentially have Cody Weightman and Jed Busslinger to come back into their side in coming weeks, with matches against Hawthorn, Adelaide and St. Kilda. Win two of those and they will have righted the ship and set themselves up to not fall out of wildcard contention.
Collingwood
A brave loss in this match for Collingwood, but it is still a loss that puts them firmly in the wildcard bracket at best in 2026. Things just haven’t gone Collingwood’s way, and that’s something you just need if you’re going to be a contender. An unlucky result for the Magpies. Well, that is until Xander McGuire can get an official count for the Bulldogs interchanges during the match. Who knows, they could have made a wrong interchange right as the siren went that would’ve definitely changed the result of the game if not made. So, we’ll watch this space for a possible legal challenge on the result from the McGuire family.
On a serious note, all is not lost for Collingwood. Next up is Melbourne on King’s Birthday at the Big Freeze at the G. Notably not on a Sunday, so Melbourne should be a lot less dangerous. Then after their bye, they have Port Adelaide and Richmond. Plenty of chances to get back in front on the win-loss ledger.
