Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley was optimistic about the prospects of captain and playmaker Scott Pendlebury, who sprained an ankle in the third quarter of the Magpies narrow win over the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba.
“[He] just couldnt get it going, [he went] down into the rooms clearly, and we tried to get him up. Well know more about it in the next day or two,” Buckley said.
“Hes still fairly bullish about it, but just felt like he was impeded enough to not play his role, obviously, but well see what happens when the dust settles.”
The Brisbane Lions fought the game out to the last, with brilliant midfielder Dayne Zorko returning to form to nearly upset the visitors.
Asked about his plans to contain Zorko, Buckley replied: “It wasnt to allow him to have 34 and four [goals] – and 10 tackles, mind you. Thats a significant game and a really good performance. Hes a good player.
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“He looked like he was going to Adam Treloar for the first four or five minutes, it looked like there was a plan around getting him accountable first. But whatever our plans were, they didnt work … We didnt plan for him to get off the chain like that.
Tight contest: Brisbane's Luke Hodge goes up against Collingwood's Mason Cox.
Photo: AAP
“I think a large part of that is the way that we allowed the game to be played, but also the way Brisbane were able to impose their style on the game, which makes it a little bit harder to defend the oppositions better players.”
Buckley was unhappy with the freewheeling style of the game, saying “that was not our brand on full display”.
Top flight: Magpies playmaker and captain Scott Pendlebury in action against the Lions during round 7 clash at the Gabba.
Photo: AAP
“Our expectations have been growing, and theres nothing wrong with that. We made the point at half-time that youve got to earn every win against the opposition.
“We spoke quite a bit during the week about the fact that Brisbanes best football has been very good, especially their defence.
“For us to be able to kick 121 points against them was a good offensive effort … Our back six and our team defence just didnt hold up as well.
Pumped: Mitch Robinson after slotting another major for Brisbane against Collingwood.
Photo: AAP
“Were not altogether happy about the way the game was played, but at the same time we did what we needed to do late to be able to win the game on its terms.”
Lions coach Chris Fagan also remained optimistic, despite his teams 0–7 start to the season, with another close game slipping away. “At some point in time well start winning those, he said.
“But the good thing is were having them; were in games. In five of our seven games this year weve been in front at some stage in the last quarter, and we probably havent been able to say that about a Brisbane side for a long time.
“We havent got anything to show for it, but all our fans who turned out tonight can see whats happening with this team … Collingwood are a very in-form team at the moment.
“I really rate that performance by us tonight, in terms of our development. Its probably, in my short time here at the club, its our best performance, even though weve won some other games.”
Unlike Buckley, Fagan also enjoyed the spectacle of the game. “I figure if you love footy, that was a good game to watch. If youre a coach, its good to watch if you win.
“But in terms of a spectacle, in terms of the way that we want to play our game, we were so much better tonight than weve been all season. Its very positive I think.”
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