Craig McRae decried their lack of effort. But is it more than that?
They seem unsettled, over-coached perhaps. Their famous skill of “managing the minutes” to win close games has increasingly looked like it’s become about their efforts to manage their players through the season once they decided they had qualified for finals when they chalked up their 14th win of the season five games ago.
Nick Daicos of the Magpies was a surprise starter on the bench against Hawthorn. Credit: Getty Images
That’s what comes with having an old (and experienced) team playing in big matches every week.
The poor run started with a loss to Gold Coast when Scott Pendlebury, not for the first time, started as the sub. His introduction to the game changed the team’s fortunes, but they still lost.
They planned Jordan De Goey and Bobby Hill’s minutes in the loss to the Brisbane Lions. They played reasonably well (Hill missed against the Hawks through illness), but integrating them back has been challenging.
Ned Long’s form (and his confidence, a feeling the coach doesn’t believe in) has dropped and Tom Mitchell’s inclusion has unsettled the midfield.
Collingwood players show their concern for teammate Jeremy Howe, who injured and stretchered off the ground in the opening moments of Thursday night’s match against Hawthorn. Credit: Getty Images
A hard training phase designed to have them charging at the right time remains open to judgment, while injuries to Beau McCreery and Jeremy Howe haven’t helped.
It’s exposed a lack of depth as Collingwood have used just 35 players this season, their least in a year since 2011.
Giving youngsters, such as Wil Parker and Ed Allan, limited opportunities means little pressure has been placed on many core players who are both out of form, and also wondering about their next contract.
Then, on Thursday night in a must-win game, Nick Daicos started on the bench for the first time, and finished with his lowest percentage of game time since rou
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