Breaking the Magpie drought

By Michael DiFabrizio

Much is being made of Collingwood’s recent record against the Sydney Swans, but it might not be as significant as it first appears.

It’s true that Collingwood have won 11 games in a row against the Swans, seven of which were at ANZ Stadium.

However, it is also true that of those 11 games, eight have been by less than five goals. The last two, in fact, have both been by under 10 points.

If we go back to 2006 – the last Swans win was a one-point thriller in 2005 – it emerges that the Swans have never been far off the team they need to beat to advance to the Grand Final.

Round 12, 2006: Collingwood win by 13 points at ANZ

Over 60,000 watch the Pies get up 95-82 despite a three-goal return from Barry Hall. Leo Barry and Craig Bolton were the Swans’ best, but the side couldn’t recover from being restricted to just two goals in the first half.

Round 12, 2007: Collingwood win by 19 points at ANZ

Another huge crowd is on hand as the Swans once were forced into playing catch-up football. After the 76-57 loss, coach Paul Roos described his team’s performance as “probably the worst game I’ve coached here (at the Swans).”

Round 21, 2007: Collingwood win by 25 points at MCG

The Swans’ hopes of finishing top four were ended by a 101-76 Collingwood victory. Barry Hall delivered four goals and Adam Goodes had 33 disposals.

Elimination Final, 2007: Collingwood win by 38 points at MCG

A trip to Melbourne two weeks later provided a similar result. Despite four goals from Michael O’Loughlin, the Swans didn’t have an answer for Anthony Rocca and his teammates. The final score was 125-87.

Round 14, 2008: Collingwood win by 29 points at ANZ

The Swans had the opportunity to move 10 points clear of the Magpies on the ladder but with Adam Goodes on the sidelines, they went down 79-50. The game is arguably most remembered for an incident involving Barry Hall, leading to him picking up another suspension.

Round 21, 2008: Collingwood win by 45 points at Etihad

Jarred Moore and Barry Hall both had three goals but the positives pretty much ended there as the Pies won 118-73.

Round 12, 2009: Collingwood win by 23 points at ANZ

Sydney slumped to their third consecutive loss and dropped to 11th place on the ladder, but it wasn’t without a fight. They responded to a slow start to be within three points at three-quarter time against what was a top four-bound opponent. Unfortunately, they were overrun in the final term, losing 89-66.

Round 21, 2009: Collingwood win by 41 points at MCG

Adam Goodes had 24 disposals and three goals but it was Collingwood’s afternoon. The final score was 97-56.

Round 13, 2010: Collingwood win by 25 points at ANZ

Over 43,000 watched the Swans in their only game against the Pies for the year, but they didn’t have enough to get over the line against the eventual premiers, losing 71-46. Daniel Bradshaw and Tadhg Kennelly were both late withdrawals, while Simon Prestigiacomo did a good job on Adam Goodes. Ryan O’Keefe had three goals and Nick Malceski, Marty Mattner and Josh Kennedy all saw plenty of the ball.

Round 14, 2011: Collingwood win by 6 points at ANZ

Despite, the Swans led by one point on two separate occasions in the final quarter, the Magpies managed to continue the hoodoo, winning 99-93. Josh Kennedy was the Swans’ best while Ryan O’Keefe had two goals and 23 disposals. Jarrad McVeigh had four goals. The back line struggled to contain Travis Cloke however, who had six goals.

Round 20, 2012: Collingwood win by 8 points at ANZ

The Pies get up in a thrilling game after losing Dale Thomas early, breaking a nine-game Swans winning streak 78-70. Dayne Beams was unstoppable with 34 disposals and three goals and Travis Cloke continued to cause problems with three of his own. For the Swans, Josh Kennedy had a massive 40 touches and 11 tackles. Ryan O’Keefe, Ted Richards, Lewis Roberts-Thomson and Luke Parker were also among the Swans’ best.