Grading every player as Pies crush Dees in the Big Freeze at the ’G

Collingwood have pulled off a huge win in the context of their season after taking care of Melbourne 89–51 in Monday’s Big Freeze at the ‘G clash.

While Collingwood entered the game undermanned from a personnel point of view, the heat was on Melbourne to respond after they were stunningly dismantled by Fremantle last week in Alice Springs.

Much like last week though, the Dees started off on the back foot as the Pies kicked three goals to zero in the first term as Melbourne missed several gettable chances.

The Pies then put the foot down in the second term with the likes of Will Hoskin-Elliott and Nathan Kreuger standing up. The Dees would also lose Christian Petracca to a rib injury at half-time after he copped a Darcy Moore knee in a marking contest.

While the ball lived in Melbourne’s front half early, that flipped once Collingwood got their game going thanks to having a spare behind the ball which allowed to score off turnover.

That spare came about as Melbourne opted to send Alex Neal-Bullen to Nick Daicos in a hard tag. While it successfully nullified Daicos’ influence, the likes of Jeremy Howe, Brayden Maynard and John Noble benefitted greatly.

The Pies made full use of that in the third and fourth terms as they again extended their lead with the Demons looking a little toothless in attack.

Collingwood are now up to sixth with a 7-4-2 record while Melbourne isn’t looking anywhere near a contending side in 10th.

Melbourne takes the week off with the bye while Collingwood meet North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium next Sunday. The Demons also face the Kangaroos in their next game during Round 15.

Our player grades.

Collingwood

Jack Crisp: A

Was massive in the middle with 27 disposals and six clearances. Easily won his direct matchup with Clayton Oliver as he looked to expose him out the front of stoppages. Took home the Neale Daniher Trophy for best afield.

Jeremy Howe: A

Allowed to play loose with Daicos tag and was absolutely everywhere aerially and linking up to create offence from half back. Finished with eight marks, 24 disposals and a trademark hanger.

Josh Daicos: A

Huge game on the outside as the Pies controlled the wings all game. Had 33 disposals, 10 marks and six clearances.

Brayden Maynard: A

Copped the Boos all day from Melbourne fans but was absolutely massive in defence. Finished with 21 disposals.

Will Hoskin-Elliott: B+

Massive up forward playing primarily on Steven May, kicked two goals to go with eight marks.

Harvey Harrison: B+

Such a crafty little player. Kicked three goals and is beginning to etch his name into Collingwood’s starting 23.

Steele Sidebottom: B+

Wound back the clock playing primarily on young Demon Caleb Windsor. Had disposals.

John Noble: B+

Big bounce back game.

Nathan Kreuger: B+

First game all year and really stood up as a dangerous tall forward option with three goals.

Fin Macrae: B+

Really important game in the midfield with a goal and five clearances. Perhaps the best performance of his young career.

Patrick Lipinski: B+

Darcy Moore: B

Really strong aerially in defence.

Charlie Dean: B

Another Pie that probably had the best game of his young career. Looked really settled as a tall defender.

Darcy Cameron: B-

Certainly didn’t win his battle with Max Gawn but still tried all day and kicked a mssive goal.

Nick Daicos: C+

Was tagged by Alex Neal-Bullen around the ground and had just 15 disposals, one goal and seven clearances. Eventually was subbed off in the fourth quarter after copping a kick to the shin. While his influence was nullified, coaches will have to ponder whether it’s worth tagging him given how good Collingwood’s defence looked with a spare.

Isaac Quaynor: C+

Lachie Schultz: C+

Bobby Hill: C

Lachie Sullivan: C

Billy Frampton: C-

Played primarily as a forward and kicked a goal. Looks much better down back though.

Oleg Markov: C-

Did some nice things but also had a few mistakes.

Beau McCreery: C-

Jack Bytel: N/A

Came on for Nick Daicos in the last term.

Melbourne

Max Gawn: A Did his best all day and was massive with 44 hitouts, six clearances and 25 disposals. Can hold his head high.

Christian Salem: A

In some pretty good form despite Melbourne’s current woes. Had 22 touches in the end from half back.

Trent Rivers: B+

Really nice game off half back with 24 disposals.

Jacob Van Rooyen: B+

Kicked three goals and tried hard all day in front of the ball.

Tom McDonald: B

Kysaiah Pickett: B

Had some big moments but kicked 2.4. Should have had a really huge game.

Alex Neal-Bullen: B-

Did his role well tagging Nick Daicos and had 15 disposals. Can certainly do a shutdown job.

Steven May: C+

Did some good things but was also exposed a bit in the first half playing on Will Hoskin-Elliott. Definitely suited to play on a tall instead of medium forward.

Jack Viney: C

Caleb Windsor: C-

Clayton Oliver: C+

Had 28 disposals but not much influence on the contest. Lost his battle with Jack Crisp who went to him early.

Tom Sparrow: C+

Bayley Fritsch: C+

Looked dangerous but accuracy let him down kicking 1.4.

Jake Bowey: C

Judd McVee: C

Harrison Petty: C

Better than recent games up forward but still didn’t do a lot.

Kade Chandler: C-

Bailey Laurie: C-

Blake Howes: C-

Ed Langdon: C-

Daniel Turner: D

Christian Petracca: N/A

Started well but cobbed a nasty blow to the ribs late in the first quarter. Eventually was subbed off with 13 disposals at half-time. Injury looked nasty.

Jack Billings: N/A

Came on for Petracca at the start of the third quarter.