Swan’s dive continues

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

COLLINGWOOD coach Nathan Buckley predicted during the week that fans would get to see the best of Dane Swan after his sluggish start to the season.

Magpie football director Rodney Eade said during a pre-game interview that there was nothing wrong with Swan.

TOMAHAWK HOLDS OFF FAST-FINISHING PIES

Perhaps if it was a case of wishful thinking from both of them.

Swan, a virtually running machine in past seasons, just couldn't get near the ball in the first half. He just looked rusty.

It took him 10 minutes to get his first touch and he went into the half-time break with nine kicks and three handballs in a display which was very unlike the work rate expected of the 2011 Brownlow Medallist. Normally dangerous around goal, he even looked rusty when he gathered the ball in attack in the second quarter in an effort which only brought a behind when the Magpies were in need of something much more significant.

Swan lifted his work rate in the third quarter, but still had little impact on a tight contest.

His wayward kick late in the fourth quarter when Jamie Elliott's fifth goal put the Magpies within five points, stopped Collingwood's forward thrust and was again a rusty effort.

Round 3: Collingwood v Geelong. Picture -Wayne Ludbey. Dane Swan tackles Andrew Mackie. Source: News Corp Australia

The Magpies were missing key defenders Ben Reid, Nathan Brown, as well as Ben Kennedy, Paul Seedsman, Ben Sinclair, Josh Thomas and Marley Williams who are all considered in the best starting line-up.

And early in the first quarter it looked as though key defender Nick Maxwell was going to join the injury list when he limped from the MCG with an injury to his lower left leg. Collingwood's sub Taylor Adams warmed up on the boundary as Maxwell made his way down to the rooms for treatment but he re-emerged nine minutes later to continue his prominent role as a floating defender.

Travis Varcoe wraps up Tom Langdon. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia

The busy Heritier Lumumba, Dayne Beams and Sam Dwyer all limped off with injuries in the first seven minutes of the second quarter. While Lumumba was soon to return, both Beams and Dwyer were downstairs in the medical room when their teammates staged a spirited comeback, kicking the first three goals of the term.

Dwyer was subbed out of the game 10 minutes into the third quarter as the Magpies came under enormous pressure.

Alex Fasolo dashes out of defence. Picture: Wayne Ludbey.

And while Swan battled through the night, Alex Fasolo who missed the last 17 games of the 2013 season with a foot injury, was back for his first game of the year and showed in glimpses the class Collingwood has missed from him.

Known for his class around goal, Fasolo, who only played three games last season, started on the bench but was used in defence on the slick Travis Varcoe. He was moved back to his usual role as forward pocket/goal sneak late in the last quarter.

Collingwood's Adams could come under video review for his high contact in the last quarter on Geelong captain Joel Selwood after he had disposed of the ball.

There were plenty of questions for the Magpies to answer last night, including why was Travis Cloke missing his glove. If he was looking for change, it didn't help as he didn't kick a goal.

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

Swan’s dive continues

Dengan url

http://sportfoxer.blogspot.com/2014/04/swanas-dive-continues.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

Swan’s dive continues

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

Swan’s dive continues

sebagai sumbernya