Collingwood coach Craig McRae has dismissed ideas of a premiership hangover after his facet have been convincingly overwhelmed for the second time in as many outings of their flag defence.
The Magpies have been no match for Sydney in a complete 33-point defeat – 15.12 (102) to 10.9 (69) – on the MCG on Friday night time, failing to bounce again from a 32-point loss to GWS within the opening spherical.
It left them 0-2 forward of a gathering with fellow 2023 finalists St Kilda in six days’ time.
“That’s probably a natural thing to say but it’s not how we think,” McRae mentioned post-match when quizzed a couple of premiership hangover.
“We have trust in the process and we try to get better every single day.
“That’s been our mantra for 2 years and it isn’t going to alter.”
McRae knows a thing or two about backing up after a premiership, having played in Brisbane’s famous hat-trick of flags under Leigh Matthews from 2001-03.
“We’re not standing nonetheless right here and there is a variety of time to go, which supplies us nice perception and luxury,” McRae mentioned.
“But the fact is there’s a variety of onerous work, too, within the coming days as a result of we play once more right here in six days’ time.
“We’ve got to get busy but we can’t look too far ahead. Hangovers and doing this and not the same … we’re here to qualify. That’s it.
“So we’re within the means of qualifying and earlier than we do any of that there is not any level in speaking about anything.”
Collingwood succumbed to Sydney’s intense pressure and coughed up too many turnovers in the back half, which frequently led to scores.
They were headed for the heaviest defeat in third-year coach McRae’s 53-game tenure until late goals trimmed the margin with the result already beyond reach.
McRae apologised to Magpies fans who turned up to witness the club’s 16th premiership flag unfurled before the match, admitting the performance didn’t match the celebration.
“We apologise we did not ship on that, however it’s an extended season,” McRae mentioned.
“Our system could also be a bit clunky in the meanwhile, so we have to get to work on that.
“That’s coaches and players buying into these things and we can improve these areas quickly.
“The numbers aren’t horrendous however the best way that we’re transferring the ball in the meanwhile is hurting us.”
McRae forecast personnel changes against St Kilda on Thursday night, with the Magpies facing a second successive six-day break.
Experienced midfielder Tom Mitchell will return after being managed with an ankle issue.
McRae mentioned key ahead Ash Johnson would probably be neglected after kicking 0.1 from 5 disposals throughout the opening two weeks of the season.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
