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Like the Magpies of old

The Collingwood obituary being penned at quarter-time at the MCG on Saturday had to be ripped up at the long break. In other words, the death of Collingwood’s title defence had been greatly exaggerated.

They were coming off a close escape against Hawthorn in the Gather Round, and looked headed for humiliation for an up-and-about Port Adelaide side. They were too slow, too tired and lacking any hunger. There was no way they could win this year’s flag, let alone make the top four.

But players being retired after their heavy-legged opening term – Scott Pendlebury, 36, Steele Sidebottom, 32, and Tom Mitchell, 30 – suddenly found their feet. Retirement? Give them all another year.

A season that looked to be heading towards a mediocre 2-4 start across the opening six rounds, was suddenly squared at 3-3. They weren’t dead and buried, they had just got back later from their bye. They might not yet be the Magpies of 2023 – who belted Port Adelaide by 71 points at the MCG in round two last year – but there is now a familiar ring.

Nick Daicos is back accumulating possessions, Jordan De Goey is back to his bullocking best, Pendlebury is directing traffic, and there is fast and sure rebounding from defence through their wings – Sidebottom, Jack Crisp and Josh Daicos. Ruck duo of Mason Cox and Darcy Cameron are providing an alternative target up forward, easing the aerial load on Brody Mihocek.

The Magpies came back from their bye a quarter late, or so it seemed, but once on song, they turned a 31-point deficit during the second quarter into a comprehensive win.

It sets up a mouth-watering Anzac Day clash against an up-and-about Essendon.

An unlikely hero

Don’t forget your wingman. The often-maligned Will Hoskin-Elliott provided a much-needed spark in the second quarter with a goal -hanger and an ensuing goal. It fired the Magpie Army into voice, and his teammates into action.

Hoskin-Elliott doesn’t win weekly accolades. He is a fringe player, who seems to be forever clinging to a future, and fighting for yearly contracts.

On Saturday at the MCG, he certainly earned another check. He was up and down the ground, providing a vital link. He is fast, he can jump and he is an accurate kick.

When the tide turned, small forwards Jamie Elliott, Bobby Hill and Patrick Lipinski reaped the benefits of his early work.

Port midfield loses its potency

Can someone put out a missing persons memo? Looking for three Port Adelaide midfielders – lost after quarter time at the MCG on Saturday afternoon, April 20.

Connor Rozee, Jason Horne-Francis and Zak Butters were the envy of every coach when they torched Essendon during the Gather Round. But, apart from Butters’ 15 possessions in the first quarter against Collingwood, they have gone missing.

Their lack of possessions starved the Power forwards, and their lack of pressure made it tough for their defenders. Resting Charlie Dixon was a moot point in the end. No supply. Although his replacement Jordon Sweet was soundly beaten by Mason Cox and Darcy Cameron.

Ken Hinkley and Port Adelaide would do well to forget about the Collingwood drubbing and concentrate on their Friday night clash at home against St Kilda.