Back to Etihad Round 2 - Collingwood Vs North Melbourne

Okay this is going to be short and sweet, didn't exactly take notes at this match. In reality, after about 25 minutes of play, there was not a lot to talk about anyway.

Its been a big day already, and its not yet 2:10. We have just finished a stop over at eastland shopping center, on route to the footy via Werribee. why Werribee you ask? AFL Live is on the PS3 is being demoed there from 10am till 2pm, and we htave to be at the footy by 2:10 for kickoff. To be honest, I'm not really sure which I'm more excited about, the chance of seeing my Pies finally beat both my mates side, "Norf" or the game. (I think it was the game)

No a nice decent 45 minute trip, probably closer to an hour actually from Ringwood to Werribee, all for a good 20 minute hit out at EB games at Werribee's big shopping center. Fun times. One game I played with three randoms, we were Essendon, they were Gold Coast, Nathan Ablett dominated, the next game my two mates got in on the act it was Pies Vs "Norf". Norf won, convincingly, it's going to take a little while longer to master this AFL game than any previous one, it seems. With part one of the AFL day done, we then set sail for Etihad Stadium, which wasn't a bad drive in, consider that one of the lanes on the west gate was down (which I think has been the case for the 6 years I have driven over it!) 

The start was even, North had a few advances forward, but to no avail. The pies dominated possession by applying early pressure, it seems the hunger in the 2011 magpies was even greater than that of 2010. Maybe it was men against boys, which it most certainly was, North Melbourne have been rebuilding since about 2007, and haven't had much success since they were smashed by Port Adelaide by 10+ goals in a Preliminary final, Port then were smashed by 100+ in the most lob sided grand final since Lleyton Hewitt wiped the floor vs a young David Nalbandian. Before anyone knows it, the pies are clear by 3 goals and it looks like they have about 10 extra players on the field, man as fan this is great to watch. The umpiring is pretty ordinary during the start, for both sides. A couple of frees against north in their attacking area that probably weren't there, North are unable to convert from close in front, missing shots in the run, for set shots and just about any way possible. The Pies are up 5.5 to 1.4 at quarter time.

The second quarter is when you can just about declare the game over. North kick a terrible 1.5. Collingwood capitalise when it matters, only outscoring north with 4.3 but the goal from turnovers count is rising. 

The second half was all Collingwood, a bit of a demolition job in fact. 12.9 to 5.5 in the last two quarters, assured the Magpies of comfortable win. 

Votes for this week.

1. Cloke - 5 goals STRAIGHT! okay a few that went out of bounds, but still.
2. Pendlebury 39 touches, 1 goal. Silky smooth.
3. Swan 40 touches, ball magnet. leather poisoning whatever stupid term you'd like to use, this guy was everywhere.

My mates could only sit and watch, and say what I used to say about Geelong when they destroyed us in a Preliminary final in 2009, "Geez they are good" No offense, but the Pies haven't exactly ran into any world beaters yet. Carlton this Friday night should be an interesting one, the blue are up and coming, still maybe missing a big forward, but you never know in Collingwood V Carlton games. I've only seen two wins in probably 15 years of going to Pies V Blues games, and both of those came last year. Usually we'd either get smashed, or as it happend in 2004, 25 points up and 3 quarter time, Leon Davis boots the first goal of the final term, 31 points clear, and then chillax, and LOST! I remember countless beltings against those Blues in the 90's

Which is why it will be only so sweet to unveil the flag against the old enemy this Friday night!