Time is operating out for Collingwood as coach Craig McRae tries to drill in some higher habits for the AFL finals sequence.
The Magpies have misplaced three of their final 4 – or as McRae prefers to view it, certainly one of their final two.
While they’re nonetheless prime of the ladder and will affirm the minor premiership with a win over Essendon on Friday evening, Collingwood have come off the boil forward of September.
There have been harm issues, with Nick Daicos recovering from a knee fracture, Darcy Moore sidelined by a hamstring concern, Nathan Murphy nonetheless out with a sore hip and Jordan De Goey and Bobby Hill set to return towards the Bombers.
But McRae stated it’s system that’s hurting his staff, notably in defence.
The opposition have kicked greater than 100 factors in every of the Magpies’ final three video games.
“There’s definitely an urgency required, because time is running out,” McRae stated at Wednesday coaching.
“Finals can only be played in finals time, but habits created throughout the season help you in finals.
“We’re making an attempt to create all these habits. We have some work to do – we have seen that the previous couple of weeks, notably the defensive a part of our sport.”
Likewise, McRae was unfazed by talk his side now look slow.
“You look sluggish if you’re chasing tail,” he said.
The good news for McRae is that Collingwood’s problems can be fixed.
“We must get to work on these little issues we are able to management that can save us objectives,” he stated.
“Most of the issues we all know we have to work on are proper in entrance of us. I’d hate to face right here and go, ‘I’m unsure how we’ll repair this’, or, ‘I’m unsure what is going on on with our defensive system’.
“Well, it’s plain to see, so we’re getting to work on that.”
Daicos is because of begin operating subsequent week and that can give the Magpies a greater thought of when he might be able to return.
McRae joked he had been massaging Daicos’ injured leg day by day and visiting him at dwelling every evening to ice it.
Only just a few days after the Brisbane Lions beat them forward of the finals, McRae revealed he and assistant coach Justin Leppitsch will be a part of the Queensland membership subsequent week for his or her corridor of fame operate.
It is 20 years since McRae and Leppitsch have been members of the Lions staff that received three premierships in a row.
McRae stated the timing was not nice, notably given the Lions are second, however there was no manner the pair would miss the operate.
“You respect where you come from … I wouldn’t be standing here without the opportunities at Brisbane,” he stated.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
