2016 NAB Challenge Week 2 North Melbourne v Collingwood

The Pies win two in a row.

North Melbourne        Collingwood
      S  G  B Pts              S  G  B  Pts
   Q1    2  1 13                  4  3  27
   Q2    6  5 41                  7  5  47
   Q3 1  8  7 64                  11 9  75
   Q4 1  10 8 77                  12 13 85

Robertson Oval, Wagga Wagga

In truth, this was not the game of the first round. Collingwood did enough to win. I think they led all match and never really looked like losing - and yet have come home with the same margin as the previous week. I guess that's not really the point.

The game was played in temperatures around 38, so it would have been foolish for the players to offer the same intensity as in the first game. The game was shortened a bit. Consequently, the scoring was much lower by both sides.

The pundits considered North nearer full strength. None of Steele Sidebottom, Jamie Elliott, Dane Swan, Nathan Brown, Jordan De Goey and Brent Macaffer played for the Pies.

Highlights

Travis Varcoe played an outstanding game, unfazed by the hot conditions. He finished with 2 goals. What was particularly appealing about his game was his work rate. You'd see him kick the ball towards goal and then notice him in the subsequent play when the ball was brought to ground (not a statement I would have made about him in the past).

Fasolo and Taylor Adams kicked a couple while Corey Gault kicked 3.

Taylor Adams had a pretty good game. I didn't notice any disposal clangers. Levi Greenwood played well, finishing with 25 disposals and a goal.

The Pies now seem to have an embarrassment of riches up forward. Their use of the ball going forward was assured.

Lowlights

Collingwood leaked goals alarmingly. The defence really needs to tighten up before the season proper. This used to be our strength. Jonathon Marsh, to pick just one example, must learn that, when in defence, the primary objective is to get rid of the ball, preferably as far away from the opponents' goal as possible. He seems to have confused himself with a midfielder, tried to cut back behind his opponent and was caught by another North player; North scored a supergoal from the penalty.

Last week 21.5, this week 12.13 (3 rushed); I hope Collingwood's inaccuracy, Cloke especially, does not become a talking point for the year.

Sources, Notes, Footnotes, References

http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/03/05/north-melbourne-kangaroos-vs-collingwood-magpies-nab-challenge-live-scores/

Fox TV

http://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/story/3768910/afl-nab-challenge-collingwood-v-north-melbourne-in-wagga-live-blog/

http://collingwoodbugle.blogspot.com.au/