Pies a chance? We'll flog em

by MATT CAMPBELL

IT'S no secret that not many punters or 'experts' gave Collingwood much chance against Port, but many of them still seem in denial that we are two wins away from a flag.

Veteran Carlton dog, Robert Walls carried on all night about Collingwood's lack of likelihood to win and he still refuses to accept we are at least a chance. I am not sure if he realises the Pies were 10 goals up in Adelaide this year before cruising for the last quarter, have beaten every side left, have not been beaten by Brisbane, have Buckley back, a week off, a home game (or two) and a full list to pick from. Even the most passionate anti-Collingwood crusaders would have to concede we are a chance.

What a magnificent performance it was that night against Port. The pressure put on by the Pies from the opening bounce was outstanding. Port were clearly not up to it with continual fumbling, poor decision making and execution as well as a bit of infighting thrown in for good measure. It was good to see the sulky, whining, boring Port coach lose the plot too - even if he is a former Collingwood captain. His call of "Port lost the game, Collingwood did not win it" is consistent with most popular opinion in media circles but what it fails to acknowledge is that Collingwood led all night and applied the pressure that Port succumbed to. The paltry crowd certainly wasn't big enough to apply that pressure.

Despite Williams' theory that Port only had bad players, I tend to believe Collingwood also had some pretty good players. Before the game, I pondered who would be the Collingwood player to really stick his hand up under finals pressure and Licca did this magnificently. Apart from a couple of early trademark turnovers, he was unstoppable. The amount of times a Collingwood player under pressure looks up to find Licuria has run to help out, is countless. McKee was outstanding and gave Primus and French a bath, despite being far smaller than both. Burns rekindled some of his early and mid year form and provided the required grunt in the packs. Betheras, Lonie, Cloke and Clement were all very good and the return to form of O'Bree was most welcomed. Steinfort did his best to ensure his return was not a one week venture playing one of his best games. His goal was possibly the best kick he has ever unleashed. The Davis twins did their job when required as did Didak.

There was a lot of pressure on Scotland through this week as the likely omission for Bucks. He does seem to be in the gun at times but always does well when given a chance. He could be in for a blinder justifying his selection. As it turned out, Molloy was the one to get the chop, although I have a sneaking suspicion this could change. The mongrel Crows are not known for their big backline and I reckon Molloy (although about as fit as Balmey) could cause some trouble. If nothing else, he could stomp on McLeod's dodgy foot at the opening bounce.

Rumours are rife around town of player scandal in the back streets of Clifton Hill. Rather than believe what I read on email or various Windsor Smith billboards, I thought I would get to the source and flew directly to Hobart this week to discuss matters with a Glenorchy Magpies insider. While the former club legend preferred not to be named, he did say the local Magpies were keeping things pretty close to their chest as well. "The strong Dutch connection at Glenorchy would welcome one of their own back at any time", he said, "whether he is the master of his domain or not". I probed a bit further, pushing more and more of the local drop at my source but he clammed up. They are a tight-knit community in Glenorchy no matter how much Cascade you pump into them.

Upon my return from Hobart, I was excited to have the Collingwood FC letter in the box. I felt like Charlie Bucket unwrapping the famed Wonka Bar as I pawed at the seal, no doubt personally licked by Eddie. I thought he must have stumbled across australianrules.com and rewarded my efforts with a seat at the president's lunch on GF Day. As it turned out, it was my one in 10 chance ballot ticket if we make it through. While still cherished and certainly kept in a safe place before my boy decides to eat it, it's not quite the Golden Ticket I was hoping to share with Grandpa George.

Nevertheless, I have hope like many other Collingwood supporters that not only we could make it through, but I could get a ticket to the Big One. I could actually have a chance to share the day with the numerous managing directors of dot.com companies out of Sydney who wouldn't know Bob Rose if they fell over him, won't watch the game (or understand it if they do) and deserve not only to be ejected from the G, but donkey-punched on the way out.

While I understand why it happens, it doesn't make it any more palatable to be a paid up member and have Nathan's chance of getting a guernsey. It may seem that I am getting ahead of myself talking of the GF but it is time the lid was blown off. The Pies are an absolute certainty to flog those Adelaide jokes and give Brisbane a pasting the following week. Us Pies supporters have been too conservative this year, pussy-footing around saying we are happy with a top eight finish, ecstatic with a top four finish etc. Bollocks. We are clearly the best side in it and will win the flag to kick off an unprecedented five in a row.

Go Pies.

Are they ready?

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