Magpies Deploy Tactical Masterstroke to Neutralise Saints Star
Collingwood’s leadership group orchestrated a decisive tactical move, targeting St Kilda’s dynamic player Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera with a specific defensive assignment. The responsibility fell to Harry Perryman, who embraced the challenge with both unwavering commitment and exceptional work rate. Perryman successfully limited Wanganeen-Milera to a mere 19 disposals throughout the match, a stark contrast to how St Kilda had managed Collingwood’s own star, Nick Daicos. This crucial defensive effort played a significant role in the Magpies securing a hard-fought 12-point victory on Sunday night.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae revealed that the club’s senior players were the driving force behind the decision to “go after” Wanganeen-Milera. “I spoke to Pez on Wednesday and the leadership group really pushed for it; I’m not taking full credit for that,” McRae admitted. “The leaders were adamant about setting a target and really going after him. I approached Pez, and while I won’t disclose the exact conversation, he was incredibly enthusiastic about undertaking the assignment.”
McRae elaborated on the intricacies of such a defensive role, highlighting that it’s not solely about an individual player’s effort. “What people might not fully appreciate in our game is that when you tag, it becomes a collective system. The entire team needs to be involved in supporting that strategy,” he explained. “He (Wanganeen-Milera) was playing forward, then back, then in the midfield – you need to be adaptable. We wanted Pez to track him everywhere he went.
“It’s all about the team’s chemistry. When Pez would come off, Jack Crisp would push into the midfield; there are so many layers to it. We’re incredibly proud of the team for supporting Pez in executing that job so effectively. Wanganeen-Milera is an outstanding young player, and I doubt we’ll be the first or last team to employ a tag against him.”
Pendlebury’s Late Bursts Prove Pivotal
Beyond the defensive masterclass, veteran midfielder Scott Pendlebury emerged as another key contributor for the Magpies. Despite playing limited minutes on the field, Pendlebury orchestrated a career-best five goal assists, demonstrating his enduring influence and game smarts.
McRae deflected praise for this strategic use of Pendlebury, instead crediting high performance manager Jarrod Wade for the innovative approach. “I find myself saying it year after year, but Jarrod is simply the best I’ve ever worked with,” McRae stated. “He had a meticulously planned strategy for Pendlebury’s involvement. He’d been analysing games and using algorithms to understand the new rotation rules with five players on the bench.
“We felt Pendles was the ideal player for this. The plan was for him to come on late in the first and second quarters, ensuring he’d be fresh for the second half of the game. I believe he achieved his career high for score involvements in that match. Pendles is brilliant at understanding what the team needs and delivering it, regardless of the circumstances.”
When questioned about Pendlebury’s physical condition and whether he would be managed in a similar fashion against Adelaide in the upcoming week, McRae stopped short of providing definitive confirmation.
