MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 18: Magpies head coach Craig McRae looks on after the round 23 AFL match between Collingwood Magpies and Brisbane Lions at Marvel Stadium, on August 18, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
Frustrated Collingwood coach Craig McRae has shut down concern over his side’s worrying defence and mounting injury list, after the Pies conceded 19 goals to go down to Brisbane by 24 points on Friday night.
The Pies’ 15. 10. (100) to 19. 10. (124) loss came with a concussion to debutant Jacob Ryan and back injury to defender Nathan Murphy, while teammate Beau McCreery will have a case to answer for after a dumping tackle on Lion Darcy Wilmot.
A fired up McRae remained unfazed about the Pies third loss in four games as they head into the finals.
READ MORE: Biggest problem with despicable insult hurled at Matildas star
READ MORE: ‘Sorely missed’: Aussie Olympic swimming champion dies
READ MORE: Eddie makes huge Wallabies coaching appointment
“I don’t worry about form. What is form?” McRae said post match.
“In two weeks time, it all starts again.”
The spotlight is now on the Pies to find their winning form, after the conceding eight scoring shots in the first term, on top of another eight in the final quarter.
Veteran Pie Scott Pendlebury was also optimistic post match about the imminent return of key play makers ahead of the finals.
“I think Jordy (De Goey) will be back next week, Darc (Moore) looks like the first final and Nick (Daicos) some stage in the finals,” Pendlebury told Seven.
“We are one out, one in, we expected to get that result tonight, so it’s disappointing that we didn’t, but proud of the way we fought it out.”
The Pies have also conceded over 100 points in their last three games against Hawthorn, Geelong and the Lions, while they let Carlton kick 93 before that.
McRae confirmed his side aren’t satisfied with the way they’re “defending the ground’ but know where the holes in their game plan exist.
“124 points, it’s going to be hard to kick 125 in this competition,” McRae said.
”We’re not happy with the way we’re defending the ground, we’re not defending the ground like we once were.
“We’re in the business of looking for parts of our game to sharpen up.”
The Lion’s win was topped off with a four goal performance from enigma Charlie Cameron, aided by three majors each from joe Daniher and Eric Hipwood.
Brisbane Lions midfielder Lachie Neale collected 31 disposals, with his side winning the highly-touted crucial midfield battle over Collingwood.
“It came to fruition in that last quarter,” Neale told 7 post match.
“The last three weeks we’ve been a bit down as a midfield group. But we feel like our form against the top four has been reasonably good.”
Brisbane’s statement performance puts them just one game behind the Pies with a round to go before the finals, meaning the race for the minor premiership is still alive.
They now face Essendon in their final home and away match.
Meantime, the Lions host St Kilda at the Gabba.
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
