How do we keep winning close games?

[piedys]

Three finals games by a total of 12 points; I doubt we will ever see that repeat, or that figure remotely reproduce.

[Stinger]

To be the best, you have beat the best. Our last month of footy was sensational. Knocking off Melbourne, a fast finishing GWS and then Brisbane. The haters can’t deny us the ultimate prize.
The other observation I’ll make is that this team is pretty solid. Unlike the 2010 team that disbanded for bigger contracts. This team is primed for future success.

[Johnno75]

Scenario based training. SEN discussed that this morning and that we are the best in the business. Brisbane held the lead at some point in each qtr and we kicked several late goals including 2 after the siren.

They highlighted several situations that Brisbane fluffed from poor decisions (that coughed up goals) compared to what we did late in each qtr.

[Jezza]

Added three more:

Qualifying Final 2023 = Collingwood 60-53 Melbourne
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6xRKhX_3qA

Preliminary Final 2023 = Collingwood 58-57 GWS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MeFf1BOCnM

Grand Final 2023 = Collingwood 90-86 Brisbane Lions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJPE24NwdlI

[Take_a_Screamer]

Thanks Jezza, what an impressive list!
I'll take time and view each one.

Close matches are the rule not the exception.

[RudeBoy]

I'd love us to step up a notch next year and start thrashing teams.

[Johnno75]

I'd love us to step up a notch next year and start thrashing teams.

I would think so. In 2022 we only really had a big win against Adelaide in Rnd 2. In 2023 we had 6 that were 40+ and most were at least 10 goal wins.

[The Black and White Lion]

A big part of that improvement needs to come by eliminating the 2nd and or 3rd quarter fade outs. We generally start hard and end well but have a few lapses in the middle. No doubt the scenario training we do primes the team for fast starts and then Rocca and Presti modes at the end. Dare I say we need some more keep going in Q2&3 training too.

[lazzadesilva]

I think we are still working towards the ultimate goal that McRea has in mind for being a consistently good and successful team. We are not a finished product. Improvement is a constant process and if we are to have further success, then we need to be proactive in making it happen.

[BazBoy]

Maybe we need a Lachie Shultz (proven goal kicker) to go some way to rectify the situation

[K]

^
Great, Jezza!

The other recent season we had a lotta close wins was 1992. Sadly, no WWW back then.

[Kingsofclutch]

Managing minutes.

[K]

1992

https://forever.collingwoodfc.com.au/li ... e=cf_match

Ess. 124-115 W
Ade. 69-64 W
Fitz. 89-92 L
St. K 76-77 L
WC 63-62 W
WB 82-76 W
Melb. 100-109 L
NM 98-92 W
Ade. 87-82 W
St. K 83-91 L [EF ]


The Fitz/StK/WC/WB games were in rounds 11-14. Four consecutive games decided by a total of 11 points.

The pair of 5-point Ade. wins reminds me of this year!

[Johnno75]

Those close games cost us in 1992. We finished equal 1st on points but % relegated us to 3rd and a cut throat final in a pretty shit final 6 system (only lasted 3 seasons) and were beaten by Saints.

[dalyc]

Added three more:

Qualifying Final 2023 = Collingwood 60-53 Melbourne
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6xRKhX_3qA

Preliminary Final 2023 = Collingwood 58-57 GWS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MeFf1BOCnM

Grand Final 2023 = Collingwood 90-86 Brisbane Lions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJPE24NwdlI

The ability of some of our best ball handling players to suddenly get dropsy and leave the ball at the bottom of the pack is breathtaking. It’s almost like they practised it.