A positive to come from matches like Sunday, is that it provides a great learning opportunity for Collingwood's developing team.
Here are 5 things we learned from the heart-breaking loss to Port Adelaide:
Taylor Adams inspires this group
Upon reflection on Sunday afternoon’s game, nothing was clearer than the fact that Taylor Adams’ presence in this Collingwood team is unquestionably important. It’s not just Adams’ ability to win the ball at the coal face, but his willingness to do anything for his team mates and set an elite standard for those around him.
The 27-year-old finished the afternoon with a match high 29 disposals, including 8 clearances. The stand-out statistic from his inspiring performance was a match-high 16 contested possessions, representative of his willingness to put his body on the line for the black and white.
Good to have you back, Tay.
Hot Pies early cool down as the game goes on, again.
Not for the first time this season, the Pies started the game against Port scorching hot. Keeping the Power goalless in the first term, Collingwood looked to have a great level of intensity and pressure around the ball.
All the key statistical indicators were positive for Collingwood this weekend, a change from past weeks. The Pies were +75 in disposals, +3 for inside 50’s, had better disposal efficiency, +6 in clearances and +39 in marks.
Unfortunately, when it came to making it count on the scoreboard the Pies fell short.
Defensive distributors key in Collingwood success
After recent criticism on the team’s ability to win the ball in the defensive half, the back 6 responded with emphasis on Sunday afternoon.
Crisp (26), Quaynor (26), Mayne (25), Moore (25), Noble (23), Roughead (21) and Maynard (20) were all fantastic at preventing the dangerous Port Adelaide forward line from getting on top for most of the game.
What was most important was then their ability to control the football and pick their way up the ground with a strong kick and mark game.
Struggle to defend the elite medium sized forwards
Once again it’s the opposition’s most dangerous small forward that ends up breaking Collingwood hearts.
Robbie Gray stood up when it was most important on Sunday afternoon, finishing with 18 disposals and 3 incredibly important goals.
In a season when players such as GWS’ Toby Greene and Essendon’s Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti have caused issues for the Pies, there are question marks on the team’s ability to lockdown on the more dynamic spearheads in the competition.
Jordan Roughead is a premier one-on-one defender
Key defender Roughead came into the 2021 season with expectations set for him to just play his role. To the delight of his team mates and Collingwood fans alike, Jordan Roughead has had an elite season so far.
The Pies missed him dearly last weekend as the key forwards of the Swans were able to get on top.
Given the responsibility of the monstrous Charlie Dixon, Roughead was a brick wall in defence. Finishing with 21 disposals, 16 of which were kicks, Roughead collected an equal match-high 15 marks with 3 of those being contested. Roughead was able to nullify the dangerous Dixon from being able to get a clear run at the ball, and more importantly prevent him from clunking it at its highest point.
When the wins aren’t going the way of Collingwood, it’s important to celebrate the key performances of those trying their best. Jordan Roughead can hold his head high after Sunday afternoon.
Collingwood 8.10.58
Port Adelaide 8.11.59
Goals Mccreery 3, Grundy 2, Cameron, Daicos, Poulter
Best Grundy, Roughead, Moore, Crisp, Adams, Poulter
