An inaccurate fourth quarter by Collingwood cost the side a valuable win against the Northern Bullants last Sunday at NAB Oval; 10.11 (71) to 9.9 (63).

The match, dictated by the direction of the wind, forced the Magpies to play catchup footy for most of the day after losing the toss.  Unable to kick a goal in the opening term, Collingwood drew within a kick at the half before again falling away in the third. 

Down by 25-points at the final break, the Magpies held the Bullants scoreless in the fourth quarter but couldn't capitalise, kicking 2.5 in the round 16 loss.

“Conditions were pretty poor for footy,” VFL head coach Gavin Brown told collingwoodfc.com.au.

“The wind was blowing straight down one end of the ground.  As you would expect the game was going with the wind.  It made it a tough day for footy.”

The loss leaves Collingwood outside the top eight on percentage and will be looking for a win against the Werribee Tigers next week.

Match summary
Northern Bullants:      4.4    5.5     10.11      10.11-71
Collingwood:          0.1    5.2     7.4     9.9-63

Northern Bullants
Goal Kickers: A. Bentick 3, C. Cloke 2, L. Morgan, G. Bentley, A. Iacobucci, J. Bannister, J. Garlett
Best Players: A. Iacobucci, S. Grigg, D. Pfeiffer, J. Garlett, A. Bentick, J. Bannister

Collingwood
Goal Kickers: C. Dawes 2, R. Colbert, B. MacAffer, D. Stanley, D. Peverill, J. Blair, A. Rocca, A. Corrie
Best Players: K. Pendlebury, B. MacAffer, C. Dawes, R. Cook, D. Peverill, L. Keeffe

In this week’s VFL match report, head coach Gavin Brown provides his insight on each AFL-listed player’s performance.

3.  John McCarthy (8k, 3h, 2m, 1t):  He was a positive in that he got through the game.  He played 50% game time after overcoming a hamstring injury which kept him sidelined for quite some time.

12.  Shannon Cox  (5k, 9h, 2m, 1t):  Played off halfback and had a quiet game.

14. Anthony Corrie (5k, 4h, 1m, 1g, 6t):  Pretty quiet sort of a day.  Started as a half forward and played most of his game there.

21. Sharrod Wellingham (11k, 7h, 2m, 7t):  He played in the middle and rotated forward.  Coming back from the AFL scene he was probably a little disappointing.

20. Ben Reid (18k, 5h, 9m):  He has been really consistent this year as a key defender.  Good again on the weekend.  Knows how to win the ball back there.  He will get his opportunities pretty soon I reckon.

23.  Anthony Rocca (8k, 5h, 7m, 1g, 1t):  Another real positive.  Got through the game (50%).  Played predominantly deep forward.  His attitude and leadership was terrific.  Not a great day for big forwards but he was up and about.

27. Jarrad Blight (6k, 9h, 5m, 1t):  Solid off the wing and halfback.  For a first year player he is going really well and is being rewarded with being an emergency last week.

28. Danny Stanley  (11k, 12h, 4m, 1g, 6t): Had a bit of the footy.  Was solid without being outstanding.

29. Ryan Cook (13k, 16h, 5m, 9t): Playing as a forward and up in the middle.  He is knocking on the door for selection.

30.  Brent Macaffer  (13k, 15h, 5m, 1g, 6t):  Another highlight was Macaffer.  He played halfback and up forward.  Very good from a bloke coming off injury.  His touch was fantastic and his fitness was good.

31. Chris Dawes  (8k, 2h, 7m, 2g, 3t):  Dawesy was good.  All of his marks were contested and inside 50.  He puts his name back up there for senior selection.

33. Brad Dick (8k, 2h, 2m, 5t): In and out of the game as we would have expected.  He missed a few weeks and it’s good to have him back.

37. Luke Rounds  (4k, 5h, 3m, 3t):  Predominantly forward.  OK in patches.

38. Scott Reed (12k, 9h, 4m, 9t):  Had good numbers but wasn’t a great game.   He has been playing some good footy of late.

41. Kevin Dyas (3k, 4h, 3m):  Played a run with role.  Tagged Adam Bentick (68 AFL games) and he tagged Shaun Grigg (34 AFL games) and did a fair job on those guys.  Each time he goes out there he is getting better and better.  Went down back earlier this year and mastered that so now we have him in a new role.

44. Lachlan Keeffe (4k, 4h, 1m, 5t):  Did a good job on Cameron Cloke.  Second week in a row as a key defender.  Pretty good in the one on ones.

45. Toby Thoolen (7k, 2h, 4m, 4t): Played in the ruck and did a solid job.  Gave a good contest against two proven ruckmen.

47. Jarryd Blair (2k, 7h, 1g, 3t):  Will be better for the run after missing the last few weeks.