Collingwood coach Craig McRae has admitted his side are only a “middle of the road” team at the moment, with fans demanding changes after a third AFL loss in the last four games. Michael Sellwood was the unlikely hero for the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night, taking a match-saving mark in defence to seal a 14.13 (97) to 13.15 (93) victory over the Pies.
In the last five weeks the Magpies have a draw and three losses, with their only win a 10-point victory over the lowly West Coast Eagles. “We’re middle of the road. That’s a reality,” McRae admitted in his press conference.
The loss left Collingwood at 5-6-1 and in danger of slipping out of the top 10 by the end of the round. McRae lamented his side’s inability to compete at clearances until the final term.
Craig McRae and Collingwood are struggling. Image: AFL/Getty“There was some really good and some really bad tonight, and we sort of lived in between that,” McRae said. “There was 62 inside-50s against – that’s going to make it hard. Our backs defend the game as good as anyone in the competition, but we just don’t want them to have to as much as they have tonight and in recent times.”
Two of the Pies’ recent losses have been by single-figure margins. In April, they also split a pair of games decided by one kick or less.
“Ultimately we’re falling short in close (games),” McRae said. “That’s probably the third close (game) we’ve lost and a draw. The season looks different in terms of ladder position if you get the job done in those, so we’re close but we’re not quite there.”
Collingwood suffered another close loss against the Western Bulldogs.Collingwood fans keen for team changes
On social media, fans were calling for team changes on Saturday night. Big-name stars like Beau McCreery, Steele Sidebottom, Jack Crisp, Jeremy Howe, Dan Houston and Isaac Quaynor all came under heavy fire, with many believing they should be facing the axe.
Collingwood have the oldest roster in the AFL, and many believe it’s time for some of the younger guys to be given a go. One person wrote online: “Give the kids a go, please.” Another wrote: “How long before Fly (Craig McRae) plays some of the kids.”
Dogged defender pips Pies with mark of a champion
Michael Sellwood was the unlikely hero with a match-saving mark in defence as the Western Bulldogs boosted their AFL finals hopes with a tense four-point win over Collingwood.
The Bulldogs trailed only briefly in the early stages and resisted repeated challenges from their opponents late in a 14.13 (97) to 13.15 (93) victory at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.
A gripping contest hung in the balance until the final minute when Magpies ruckman Darcy Cameron hurried a high kick forward.
Sellwood, a mid-season rookie selection last year who debuted in opening round, traced it back with the flight of the ball and threw himself into a pack to take a brilliant mark.
“I guess I just saw the ball and was like, ‘I’ve really got to go here, and if I go, I’ve got to mark it’,” Sellwood told broadcaster Kayo Sports post-match.
“Luckily it stuck because (Patrick) Lipinski was probably at the drop of the ball.”
Ruck star Tim English, on return from concussion, followed up by marking Sellwood’s clearing kick at half-back and the Bulldogs hung on.
Matt Kennedy (29 touches), Ed Richards (24), Ryley Sanders (28) and Marcus Bontempelli (22) all had influence at different stages.
First-year key forward Will Lewis kicked three crucial goals, including the Dogs’ last of the match, while Richards, English and Lachlan McNeill kicked two each.
Will Lewis, who kicked three goals for the Bulldogs, wasn’t making life easy for Magpie Nick Daicos. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)Dogs coach Luke Beveridge was full of praise for 22-year-old defender Sellwood.
“It was a big mark. You’re hoping for a big spoil, but when he comes down with it, it’s pretty pivotal in the end,” Beveridge said.
“He’s a very courageous player, as you can see, and there’s no hesitation.”
English was an important contributor, helping the Bulldogs dominate centre clearances (19-10) and the inside-50 count (62-47).
The result lifted the Bulldogs (7-5) to seventh and left Collingwood (5-6-1) in danger of slipping out of the top 10 by the end of the round.
The Bulldogs’ Arthur Jones proved a handful for the Magpie defenders. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)The Magpies’ loss came despite the efforts of explosive midfielder Jordan De Goey, who was best afield with 30 disposals, 19 score involvements and one goal.
Nick Daicos (37 touches) and veteran Scott Pendlebury (33) – one week after breaking the all-time AFL/VFL games record – were also strong contributors for the Pies.
Tim Membrey kicked three goals, with Lachie Schultz and Angus Anderson adding two each.
Collingwood midfielder Jordan De Goey shone with 30 possessions, 19 score involvements and a goal. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)Collingwood coach Craig McRae lamented his side’s inability to compete at clearances until the final term, when they also freed up their ball movement and had chances to pinch victory.
“There was some really good and some really bad tonight, and we sort of lived in between that,” McRae said.
“There was 62 inside-50s against – that’s going to make it hard.
“Our backs defend the game as good as anyone in the competition, but we just don’t want them to have to as much as they have tonight and in recent times.”
Michael Sellwood’s game-saving mark
Western Bulldogs hold on to beat Collingwood. Source: Fox/AFL
Video transcript
Cameron, the blind handball.
To go.
Has he got any juice left?
Yes, he has.
Cameron, it’s high, it’s markable, and it’s taken- Selwood by Selwood.
What a grab.
Of course it is.
Came in from the side, set himself to mark it, risked to go up though and leave his man at ground level.
L. Michael Selwood.
Well, I’m here with the man that really won it for the Dogs at the very end there, Michael.
Talk us through that mark, because it had to take a lot of courage.
You knew there was pressure coming, but you still took.
Yeah, I just, I guess I just saw the ball and I was like, “Uh, I really gotta go here, and if I, if I go, I gotta mark it.”
So luckily it stuck, ’cause I think probably Lupinski was probably dropped the ball.
So, yeah, glad it stuck and, yeah, the rest is history.
Bulldogs turn tables on Pies in tight finish
Luke Beveridge admits there was a period not so long ago when Collingwood would have toyed with his Western Bulldogs in a tight finish and seized victory.
But not anymore.
On Saturday night, it was the Bulldogs who stood up in big moments to complete a tense 14.13 (97) to 13.15 (93) win that lifted them into seventh spot on the ladder.
Inexperienced defender Michael Sellwood was the hero at Marvel Stadium, taking a courageous mark at full-back in the final minute to ensure the Dogs withstood a stern challenge.
They had led by as much as 25 points but allowed the Magpies back within one kick three times in the final term before hanging on.
“Two years ago, Collingwood were winning games like that for fun,” Dogs coach Beveridge said.
“It was almost like they were toying with the competition. They were getting five or six goals down and coming back and winning.
“They’re a pretty experienced team … and so for our boys to hold sway it just continues to build spirit.
It was the Bulldogs’ fifth win from as many games decided by single-figure margins this season, while they have also suffered a pair of two-goal defeats.
“It just feels good to be able to win the close ones and I think it really does build spirit,” Beveridge said.
“It galvanises a group. It doesn’t extinguish doubt because they’re still building belief.
“But we’re 7-5 and still in the mix, so hopefully we can keep building.”
Downbeat Collingwood players exit the field after their loss to the Bulldogs. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)Collingwood have had one draw and two losses by single-figure margins in their last five outings.
In April, they also split a pair of games decided by one kick or less.