Collingwood bounced back from an Anzac Day loss to win a scrappy game against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium. Dale Thomas returned to his best in a new role off half-back, Travis Cloke was inaccurate with 4.5 but was still a major player in the victory. Brent Macaffer did a good job in a run-with role on Nick Dal Santo, while Jarryn Geary negated Steele Sidebottom. Scott Pendlebury continued his stellar form with 28 disposals and two goals. Andrew Krakouer played his first game for the season but was well held.
How they lined up:
| B: | H Shaw | B Reid | T Goldsack |
| HB: | D Thomas | N Brown | H O'Brien |
| C: | B Macaffer | D Swan | S Dwyer |
| HF: | P Seedman | Q Lynch | J Elliott |
| F: | J Blair | T Cloke | A Krakouer |
| Ruck: | D Jolly | S Pendlebury | S Sidebottom |
| INT: | M Clarke | J Witts | J Thomas, B Kennedy (sub) |
Key outs: D Beams (Mid), N Maxwell (Def), B Hudson (Ruck), A Toovey (Def), C Young (Mid)
By the lines
Defence: Much has been made recently of Collingwood’s defensive issues, with only lowly Brisbane, the Western Bulldogs, Melbourne and GWS leaking more points so far this season. The back six is missing captain Nick Maxwell, while Alan Toovey’s season-ending knee injury forced Nathan Buckley to send Dale Thomas into defence last round. ‘Daisy’ played very well against St Kilda with 34 disposals. He, along with the attack-minded Harry O’Brien and Heath Shaw, set up much of Collingwood’s forward forays from defence. Ben Reid and Nathan Brown were solid as the key defenders, while Marty Clarke and Tyson Goldsack also ran through the back six.
Midfield: Collingwood’s greatest strength is its midfield group. Brownlow Medallist Dane Swan just keeps winning the ball, while Scott Pendlebury is playing as well as anyone in the AFL right now. He moves smoothly and uses the ball incredibly well. Steele Sidebottom had a very quiet game against the Saints following his great effort the week before. Dayne Beams is a star but has yet to play this season because of injury and is still listed as two weeks away from returning. Collingwood does not usually employ a hard tag, but Brent Macaffer did a good job on star Saint Nick Dal Santo.
Forward: The Collingwood forward line revolves around Travis Cloke. He has been the most targeted inside 50 player in the AFL by a street this season.Cloke has kicked 22.18. Goal-sneak Jamie Elliott has dropped off after a great start to the season but still ranks second for most goals at Collingwood with 10. The midfield accounts for a big chunk of the Pies’ goals. Sidebottom has nine, while Pendlebury and Jarryd Blair have booted seven.
Ruck: Collingwood has three or four options in the ruck. Veteran Darren Jolly had a strong game last week and is first choice, while Ben Hudson has also performed well this year. Lynch offers a more mobile option on the ball, while youngster Jarrod Witts debuted against the Saints.
KPI Tale of the tape – Collingwood season average per game and AFL rank
Contested possessions – 141 – 13th
Uncontested possessions – 210 – 6th
Disposals – 355 – 8th
Disposal efficiency – 72.3% - 4th
Kicks – 220 – 2nd
Kicking efficiency – 67.3% - 1st
Handballs – 135 – 14th
Tackles – 58 – 13th
Marks – 101– 2nd
Contested Marks – 13 – 4th
Uncontested marks – 88 – 1st
Inside 50 – 53 – 8th
Hitouts – 28 – 18th
Hitouts to advantage – 7.3 – 15th
Clearances – 34 – 15th
