Magpies Silence the Saints in Opening Round Stoush
St Kilda entered the opening round with a palpable buzz, their off-season acquisitions and lofty ambitions dominating the pre-game chatter. The spotlight was firmly on the Saints for their Sunday night clash, a game amplified by the largest home-and-away crowd they had ever played in front of. Yet, it was Collingwood, a team largely written off by many pundits over the summer, who delivered a masterclass in composure and pressure, ultimately claiming a significant victory.
The narrative surrounding Collingwood in the lead-up was far from glowing. Whispers about coach Craig McRae’s future, coupled with the injury to captain Darcy Moore and unconvincing pre-season performances, painted a picture of a club in transition. Many, including this observer, had them outside the top 10. However, the Magpies demonstrated on Sunday night that they thrive in these high-stakes environments, a trait that has become a hallmark of the Craig McRae era. Their system, built on relentless frontal pressure, crisp ball movement, and swift transitions, proved too much for the Saints. Even with a patched-up back six due to the absence of Moore and Jeremy Howe, Collingwood’s defence was suffocating, devouring space and displaying an appetite for risk that stifled a St Kilda forward line still finding its rhythm.
While the brilliance of the Daicos brothers, Nick and Josh, and the enduring class of Scott Pendlebury rightly garnered significant attention and accolades, a special mention must go to Dan Houston. After a subdued and seemingly hesitant 2023 season, Houston was a revelation on Sunday night. No longer appearing to hold back, he was everywhere – a constant threat forward, a diligent defender, a prowling presence on the wings, and a dynamic force through the middle. He showcased the assured, sublimely skilled footballer seen at Port Adelaide, and it was evident that Collingwood strategically played through him far more than in previous seasons.
For St Kilda, the occasion was a significant one, and ultimately, they fell short of expectations. The club had actively lobbied for this marquee fixture, believing they were ready to make a statement. They celebrated their premiership history and released a documentary underscoring the importance of this particular game. While they were far from disgraced, the Saints were unable to match Collingwood’s intensity. Their attacking forays often broke down, with too many opportunities squandered and too many kicks played directly into Collingwood’s defensive structure. Handling errors, aerial duels lost, and inaccurate kicking proved costly, ultimately playing into the Magpies’ hands.
Coach Ross Lyon, in his characteristic acerbic and somewhat cryptic style, had suggested Collingwood should be favoured, bracing for an ambush. While it wasn’t quite an ambush, it served as a stark wake-up call for the Saints. Lyon, despite his post-match press conference persona, wasn’t overly despondent. He acknowledged that some of his key players had inconsistent performances and that the new-look forward line would require time to gel effectively.
The challenge with opening rounds, beyond their impact on the season’s draw, lies in discerning how much weight to place on early results. Did Carlton’s opening-round performance signal a complete reversal of their pre-season optimism? Or is the more prudent approach, as exemplified by Chris Scott’s nonchalant press conference demeanour, to dismiss early criticism and trust in the team’s underlying strength?
The Gabba provided a spectacular stage for Saturday night’s clash between Brisbane and the Western Bulldogs, a game featuring an abundance of Australia’s elite talent and showcasing a level of skill rarely seen so early in the season. The Bulldogs’ victory was particularly impressive, representing the kind of hard-fought win they might have faltered on in previous years.
Despite conceding over 100 points, there were significant positives for the Bulldogs, particularly in their defensive efforts. They exhibited greater proactivity, composure, and competence compared to their performances in similar situations last season. The sheer elation on coach Luke Beveridge’s and his players’ faces post-game underscored the significance of the win. However, as a cautionary note, it’s worth remembering Carlton’s similarly rousing opening-round victory at the Gabba in 2024, a season that ultimately proved to be a significant downturn for the club.
