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Hawk Heimlich solution to the Collingwood choke

Julie Tullberg

by Julie Tullberg

06 Sep 05:40am

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Filed under: Afl, Afl Finals, Bulldogs, Collingwood, Sport, Sydney Swans

27 comments

THE Magpies are raging flag favourites, thanks to the Hawks fuelling their hunger on the eve of the AFL finals.

Hands in choking positions: it's finals time. Pic: Getty

The Pies’ stinging loss to the Hawks in round 22 hurt like hell. Collingwood’s flat spot, on the eve of the finals, could prove to be the catalyst in their quest for the premiership.

The Hawthorn loss was the fuel the Magpies needed to brush off their famed losing mentality.

The Pies annihilated the Bulldogs on Saturday night, continuing their top form that has served them well this season.

I believe Magpie superstar Dane Swan could prove his team’s trump card, if he controls the midfield in their remaining finals.

But the Pies’ forwards must kick straight. These two factors will determine the premiership.

The Cats, stung by the Saints on a night they would rather forget, will fight to the end against Fremantle in the second semi-final this Friday night at the ‘G.

I expect the Cats to qualify for the preliminary final against the Pies. The preliminary final is tipped to be a corker, as both teams will fight relentlessly to earn a Grand Final berth.

And the Swans continue to chip away against their opponents, slipping into the first semi-final after pipping the Blues at the post.

The Blues fought tooth and nail to vie for the semi-final but it was Sydney’s desperation that won them their eliminator by five points before 41,596 fans at ANZ Stadium.

The Swans will travel to Melbourne for their semi-final blockbuster against the Bulldogs at the MCG this Saturday night.

The Bulldogs were dazzled by the Pies’ superior midfield on Saturday night, and copped an embarrassing hiding. The Dogs were widely tipped as the flag favourites at the start of the year. But injuries have cost the Bulldogs their chance to win the premiership.

The Dogs will have to draw on every inch of their character to beat the Swans and qualify for the preliminary final against St Kilda.

I can’t see the Swans surviving their semi-final against the Dogs. They need the depth and playing experience to carry them forward.

Based on early finals’ form, the Pies will be hard to beat in this series. But the Saints are always dangerous, as they proved against the Cats.

If “Saint Nick” (Riewoldt) fires for the rest of the series, we could see a nail-biting finish.

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27 comments

Show oldest | newest first

    • T. ( Magpie) Chong says:

      07:25am | 06/09/10

      Can there be any doubt about the Mighty ‘Pies ?  Jealousy and denial are the only factors that stop Punchers giving them the praise and recognition they deserve.

      Reply

    • Aitch B says:

      09:30am | 06/09/10

      You left out ‘loathing’, Chongy…...

    • T.Chong says:

      10:33am | 06/09/10

      Correct Aitch. Maggie haters are like the Visigoths of olde, gazing upon Rome, didnt understand it, didnt like it, so in jealousy, sought to destoy it.
      Collingwood supporters = true martyrs , worthy of the respect and reverance that everyone secretly holds for us and the team.

    • Aitch B says:

      11:45am | 06/09/10

      Aw jeez, Chongy!! Thanks for the hot coffee up the nose and all over the keyboard, mate!!

      So Eddie is right then? Collingwood is not only God’s gift to the AFL but the greatest sporting club in the known universe?

      The stuff of dreams…........

    • hot tub political machine says:

      12:05pm | 06/09/10

      Well to be fair Collingwood plays in a much easier league than the rest of the AFL (the AFL being a national competition - Collingwoods competition being play at home every week).

      So they don’t really deserve the same level of praise as AFL clubs.

    • Micky says:

      12:52pm | 06/09/10

      There is no realistic argument that can be constructed to say Collingwood is favored by the draw or scheduling. Every year the haters invent some excuse to denigrate the achievements of Collingwood.

      Even when Collingwood take weak teams to the Grand Final and lose they call it “choking” rather than overachieving to get there in the first place.

      The panic the rest of the league goes into whenever Collingwood are a chance is always amusing to watch. It just goes to show, win lose or draw, Collingwood pwnz.

    • hot tub political machine says:

      12:59pm | 06/09/10

      Micky, here is my attempt at a realist argument Collingwood is favoured by the draw:

      The only play away from home 4 times a season.

      How did I go?

    • T.Chong says:

      02:13pm | 06/09/10

      Hot Tub: The Maggies only had 4 away games, so therefore were staid in one locale ?
      Much like the story about a chap, his team , and supporters from 2000 years ago, pretty well stayed put, did lotsa good work, fought demons, (amongst others)  but was ruthlessly villified for it.
      The biblical parrallel is more than justified in telling the story of the Mighty ‘Pies.

    • hot tub political machine says:

      03:44pm | 06/09/10

      The weird thing is Mr. Chong, your waxing less religious than many of the OTT commentators will be on Grand Final day (look for the term “hallowed turf” to be dusted off on the day).

      Remember though, the leader of the group you referred to gave up his life for the benefit of humanity and to claim victory – I doubt Mr. Malthouse or Mr. McGuire will follow the same actions - though there may be crowds shouting for crucifiction

    • Mr Subramanian says:

      05:26pm | 06/09/10

      Actually, I’m sure most folks respect the team. It’s their supporters which no-one can stand…

    • Mike says:

      06:35pm | 06/09/10

      Always remember Hot Tub, There is more of us than there are of you.

      And we are insanely passionate about our boys.

      And we don’t care what you think.

      Keep the faith T. , big things may be afoot.

      Black and white til I die

    • Mathew Pavlova says:

      07:34am | 06/09/10

      Another unmentioned scenario; the Reith factor,underestimating The Dockers,they may bury the Cats ,whilst the Swans triumph over The Dogs,then the Pies september wobbles kick in,The Swans ambush The Saints and voila a clash of the Improbables, a minute left on the clock,  Sandilands takes a screamer,kicks the goal and the western longshots win the Flag.

      Reply

    • Lazy Jesus says:

      08:54am | 06/09/10

      I don’t like Manly’s chances this year, limping into the 8 is not the way to start a finals campaign. I like the Gold Coast Titans for the title, I think they have the goods to get it done. Also, The NY Yankees have lost their 1st game in their last 8, but still have the best record in the MLB and also have a 2.5 game break on Tampa in the AL East in the last season of the month, I think they can go back to back as World Series Champions, I like Atlanta to take out the NL.

      Reply

    • Markus says:

      09:30am | 06/09/10

      It’s actually a shame for the Raiders that they did well enough to make 7th place instead of the predicted 8th.
      They have had the wood over St George for years now and I have no doubt would have done them over in the first round.
      Against Penrith I am not so sure they can replicate.

    • TimB says:

      10:01am | 06/09/10

      I’m torn over the Manly-St George game next week.
      On the one hand I hate St George with a passion (I’m a Canterbury fan still nursing that grudge from round 10 last year!). On the other hand, Manly’s game was absolutely grubby yesterday (Matai at least should have been sent off)  and they don’t deserve any kind of win whatsoever.

      In the I think I’d rather Manly get an upset win over St George (unlikely after the judiciary has their say though) and then watch them both bow out in week 2. That would be sweet.

      St George for the choke!

      Oh this was an AFL article? Sorry, distracted by a superior game. Carry on.

    • Graham S says:

      11:27am | 06/09/10

      Tim B yes you are correct this is an AFL article written by a knowledgeable and talented sports journalist who wouldn’t stoop to mention thugby in the same room as The AFL let alone write about it. Is 5000 stilll considered a sell out crowd at this most laughable of week-end pursuits you write of?

    • Macon Paine says:

      11:38am | 06/09/10

      I agree with the Lord, I think Titans are the dark horse for the NRL title this year, they’ve come a long way since last years out in 2 games finals capitulation.
      As for the St George, face it Dragons fans, anything less than a premiership for your team is (another) choke. So it’s a danger game for them this week against the silvertails. This is exactly the type of game they should romp home in. They have everything going for them, they have a virtual full strength side, home ground advantage, Eagles in poor form and have half the side out. Yet as it happens every year, this is the exact type of game they’ll find a way to clutch defeat from the jaws of victory and somehow choke their way out of the finals yet again. Dragons choke in this one and they’ll choke their way out of the finals a week later, not that I want to put any pressure on them.

    • Micky says:

      12:55pm | 06/09/10

      You must be a real diehard to keep up to date with what’s happening in the east coast feeder league. Kudos.

    • Dave says:

      09:49am | 06/09/10

      Like the article Julie, but I disagree that the Dogs have got what it takes to beat Sydney. I was there on Saturday night, the Dogs looked old and tired. Sydney however handed Sunday’s pressure periods well, and survived the tests. I’ll be tipping Sydney next week.

      Reply

    • Graham S says:

      10:25am | 06/09/10

      The Swans will be a 42 point start v The Bulldogs, Geelong can write their own ticket against the Fickle Folly known as Freo, Then a week later The Saints will give Sydney a bath whilst Geelong & Collingwood will kick each other to death with the bruised winner of that encounter stumbling into a Grand Final against a refreshed St.Kilda only to be smashed again. Order your 2010 Saints memorabilia now

      Reply

    • dancan says:

      11:17am | 06/09/10

      If the pies win every match running up to the final they’ll be unbeatable, a confident pies team is the best in the competition.  Ideally it would be good if they went up against Geelong as they’d have the mental advantage of winning their last match up and the cats have been on a bit of a slump lately

      Reply

    • S.L says:

      03:44pm | 06/09/10

      Ok so I know very little about the great southern code AFL and you are saying Collingwood are chokers is this right? Are they in the same league as 2 other exellent exponents of that fine art the St George Dragons and don’t forget the Un Zud Oll Blecks?

      Reply

    • Carl Palmer says:

      03:50pm | 06/09/10

      The pies better pray that Ron Barrassi doesn’t turn up to any of their games and start talking about “Nineteen Seventy”

      Reply

    • Jenni says:

      04:16pm | 06/09/10

      As a lifelong die-hard Sydney supporter - right down to the club tattoo on my shoulder - I would, of course, love to see my boys crush the Dogs on Saturday night, and then continue on to another flag. Sadly, I don’t think it’s likely.

      We have a fair chance of beating the Dogs, but after that it’ll be hard going no matter who we come up against. Much as I HATE to suggest it (it’s hard to even type the words) I think it might be the Pies year ... may the heavens forgive me for even uttering it, and I do hope I’m proved wrong!

      Reply

    • Carl Palmer says:

      04:49pm | 06/09/10

      They have been runners up 25 times which is a VFL / AFL record. They call it the Colliwobbles

      Seriously and as a Swans supporter, they do look the goodes.

    • Tails says:

      10:08pm | 06/09/10

      Nice to see you’re brave enough to post comments that are critical of your writing style and content, Julie.
      Or, more aptly:
      Julie Stating the Bleeding Obvious In an Uninteresting Way Tullberg.
      Sorry if you find criticism offensive but you seem to be getting away with murder here.

      Reply

    • The Bishwa says:

      10:17am | 07/09/10

      This is insightful: “I believe Magpie superstar Dane Swan could prove his team’s trump card, if he controls the midfield in their remaining finals.” My one-year-old son who can only say daddy offers more!!!

 
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