Geelong v Collingwood (Round 9, MCG)
May 24th 2008 03:04
This morning, hundreds of thousands of Geelond and Collingwood fans woke up with only one thought on their minds: Was it all just a dream? As they stumbled out of bed and picked up their morning Newspapers, the answer slowly became clear. It was not a dream. Geelong had lost its first match for the season.
Who would have thought it? Ok, we all knew it had to happen eventually. We all knew that Geelong would eventually lose a match in season 2008. But not yet, and not like this.
Last night, Collingwood de-throned the Cats in front of over 78,000 at the MCG. And it wasn't a narrow victory, a Kangaroos-style shin-boner of a win, or an adrenalin-inspired momentary burst of glory that won Collingwood the match. Rather, what we all saw last night was a consistent four-quarter demolition of the reigning premiers that ended in an astounding 86-point margin, Collingwood thrashing the Cats 20.14 (134) to 7.6 (48).
The key match-up between enigmatic Collingwood forward Alan Didak and Geelong powerhouse Tom Harley told the story. For Didak, it was a night to remember, finishing with two inspirational goals and an impressive 26 disposals. For Harley, well behind on just 12 touches, it was a night to forget.
It's hard to be critical of a side that has just won 8 straight matches to start the season, but Geelong just seemed to be missing its characteristic intensity last night. At the end of the first quarter, the tackle count was 10-0 in Collingwood's favour. By half-time the divide had opened up even further, with Collingwood up 55 tackles to 27. By then, the scoreboard was similarly impressive for the Pies at 11.6 (72) to Geelong's 3.3 (21).
Unfortunately for Geelong, the Magpies maintained their manic intensity throughout the second half without allowing it to rub off on their unusually hapless opponent.
For the first time this year, the scoreboard was dismal for Geelong.
Collingwood 20.14 (134) defeated Geelong 7.6 (48)
It had to happen eventually.
Who would have thought it? Ok, we all knew it had to happen eventually. We all knew that Geelong would eventually lose a match in season 2008. But not yet, and not like this.
Last night, Collingwood de-throned the Cats in front of over 78,000 at the MCG. And it wasn't a narrow victory, a Kangaroos-style shin-boner of a win, or an adrenalin-inspired momentary burst of glory that won Collingwood the match. Rather, what we all saw last night was a consistent four-quarter demolition of the reigning premiers that ended in an astounding 86-point margin, Collingwood thrashing the Cats 20.14 (134) to 7.6 (48).
The key match-up between enigmatic Collingwood forward Alan Didak and Geelong powerhouse Tom Harley told the story. For Didak, it was a night to remember, finishing with two inspirational goals and an impressive 26 disposals. For Harley, well behind on just 12 touches, it was a night to forget.
It's hard to be critical of a side that has just won 8 straight matches to start the season, but Geelong just seemed to be missing its characteristic intensity last night. At the end of the first quarter, the tackle count was 10-0 in Collingwood's favour. By half-time the divide had opened up even further, with Collingwood up 55 tackles to 27. By then, the scoreboard was similarly impressive for the Pies at 11.6 (72) to Geelong's 3.3 (21).
Unfortunately for Geelong, the Magpies maintained their manic intensity throughout the second half without allowing it to rub off on their unusually hapless opponent.
For the first time this year, the scoreboard was dismal for Geelong.
Collingwood 20.14 (134) defeated Geelong 7.6 (48)
It had to happen eventually.
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