Collingwood will try to rediscover their defensive finest after shedding a 3rd sport from their final 4 outings in a regarding type stoop forward of finals.
The Magpies conceded 19.10 (124) – their heaviest rating in opposition to in virtually two seasons beneath coach Craig McRae – to the rampant Brisbane Lions in a top-of-the-table showdown at Marvel Stadium on Friday night time.
Ladder leaders for almost all of the season, Collingwood have to defeat Essendon subsequent Friday night time to be assured of taking out the minor premiership.
The Lions will overtake them into first in the event that they beat St Kilda on the Gabba subsequent Saturday ought to the Magpies stumble in opposition to the Bombers.
Missing Jordan De Goey, Darcy Moore and Nick Daicos, Collingwood had been outplayed by the Lions in a shootout as they gave up greater than 100 factors for the third-straight week.
“The last four or five weeks we’ve just conceded too many goals, too many points,” McRae stated.
“Number one defensive team of the competition for major parts of the year, but we’ve lost that mantle.
“We’re simply not proud of the way in which we’re defending the bottom.
“We’ll get to work on this and we’ll find out exactly why. We’ve got some time to work on it. We’re not finished yet.”
The loss to the Lions – Collingwood’s sixth-straight in opposition to them – goes alongside defeats to Carlton and Hawthorn within the final month.
After being 16-2, the Magpies discover themselves at 17-5 with out not less than two of their superstars – Daicos and Moore – till finals.
“Whatever we’re in right now, all it is, is a moment in time to qualify,” McRae stated.
“In two weeks’ time, it’s a different game, the whole competition starts again and doesn’t really matter where you qualify.
“I do not fear about type…what’s type? You get power from doing good issues.
“I think form’s an outcome of good action so we just get busy on the action.”
Collingwood ahead Beau McCreery faces a nervous watch for a possible harmful sort out on Brisbane defender Darcy Wilmot within the third quarter.
Collingwood had been pressured into utilizing their sub in the course of the second quarter as defender Jakob Ryan’s debut completed early with concussion.
Nathan Murphy additionally suffered a heavy knock and didn’t play out the ultimate quarter.
McRae is hoping De Goey and small ahead Bobby Hill might be obtainable to tackle the Bombers.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
