52 SPORT SATURDAY MAY 22 2021 Knocks I’ll take Pies forward to keep Dogs duo GLENN McFARLANE to reset, but “I am in the middle of it, on the club’s agenda for 2021. term, that we have the ca- stressed he mate. This is a challenging But Buckley’s comments on pacity to play better footy and COLLINGWOOD coach and the circumstance, but we have a Friday were the clearest indi- that’s what we are looking to sidelined Nathan Buckley has conceded p l a y e r s passion and perseverance cation yet that the Magpies do. We have reset internally … the struggling club has hit the were ready towards a long-term goal. We had acknowledged the urgent making it simple, stripping it JON RALPH “reset” button, but says he is for the are going to show that grit and need to regenerate. back and these are the things as energised as ever to lead the challenge determination and we hope “The message to Colling- we want to see.” A FIXTURING quirk will Magpies into the future. ahead. the fans see that in the next wood people would be … I Buckley said the club’s sen- mean Jamarra Ugle-Hagan Against a backdrop of “I am couple of weeks.” think your expectations would ior players had been trying to will play only one quarter of board upheaval, intense pres- energised Asked about reports some be adjusted by now,” he said. carry too much of the load and football this month, while Tim sure on his own position and for it … this is the challenge,” of his players had begun to “We have had three pretty that he had told them to English’s chances of taking on only two wins from the first Buckley (pictured) said ahead lose faith in his messaging, good years in finals – to play in simplify things this week, Max Gawn’s Melbourne next nine games of the year, Buck- of Sunday’s clash with Port Buckley said: “I don’t read it; a Grand Final, a prelim and which he believes could bring Friday night appear over. ley also dismissed reports he Adelaide at the MCG. but I hear about it. My experi- then finals (last year). a spike in performance in the No.1 draft pick Ugle-Hagan had lost a section of the play- “You can either put the ence is that there is no evi- “We are resetting now. We coming weeks. will be denied another chance ing group following the club’s white flag up or dig in and dence to support that.” believe that, whilst we still The Magpies face a crucial to press his AFL claims due to a miserable start to the season. have a real crack, and our con- Less than a month ago, have some experience in the month with games against VFL fixture that means he will He said the club had spo- versations have been around Collingwood president Mark side and we feel like we are Port Adelaide, Geelong, Adel- miss two weekends with a low- ken internally about the need doing that (having a crack). Korda claimed finals were still underperforming in the short aide (away) and Melbourne. level concussion. Ugle-Hagan will play no football this week after a con- cussion in a VFL game that fell on a Sunday. BAILEY’S The Dogs VFL side had a bye last week but plays tonight against Frankston. BRILLIANCE GETS It means he had no oppor- tunity to be passed fit for the second weekend under the 12- BRISBANE HOME day concussion protocols. MAX LAUGHTON If the Dogs had played VFL on Saturday he would have BRISBANE’S climb up the ladder has been able to take the field. continued at the expense of recent finals Ugle-Hagan pulled up well rival Richmond, claiming a spicy Gabba clash from the early concussion 15.12 (102) to 11.8 (74). against Carlton’s VFL side but The Tigers (5-5) burst out of the blocks, was never in consideration for kicking the opening three goals with two the senior side, which plays on coming off the boot of Jack Riewoldt. Saturday, meaning he will play But then the Lions (7-3) steadied, getting no football this week. their game going by controlling the midfield He will return against Mel- battle and utterly dominating territory. Only bourne next Sunday in the inaccuracy in front of goal kept it close at VFL, meaning he will have halftime, and a third-quarter burst created played only a quarter of foot- their matchwinning lead. ball between May 1 and May Territorian Zac Bailey (four goals) was 30. the most dangerous forward on the ground The Dogs again overlooked while Hugh McCluggage (27 disposals) star ruckman English for their continued his All-Australian-level season. clash against St Kilda on Sat- Richmond is now at risk of dropping out urday as he continues his slow of the top eight if GWS beats West Coast build after a heavy concussion. later this weekend, or if Fremantle thumps English progressed to some Sydney. contact training on Thursday It was Brisbane’s sixth win in a row. but now must build up his con- The Tigers punished the Lions’ ditioning after missing the past wastefulness as Jake Aarts kicked the three games. opening goal of the second term, well and It means even if he was truly against the run of play. passed medically fit to take on Eric Hipwood finally gave the hosts Melbourne next Friday night reward for effort, before the Tigers’ future he would unlikely be ready was on display with a super-quick goal given his base fitness. involving Riley Collier-Dawkins, Patrick It means the Dogs will go Naish and Jack Ross. After wasting more into that clash with only young chances, the Lions hit the front for the first ruckman Jordan Sweet, who time on the night – and deservedly so – continues to make a good fist through Bailey. Brisbane led 7.9 (51) to 7.2 of his recent chances with Stef (44) at halftime. Brisbane’s Zac Bailey kicks past Richmond’s Liam Baker. Picture: Jono Searle/AFL Photos/Getty Images Martin also out injured. ROOS QUICK TO MOVE ON Rance set for return in country footy NORTH Melbourne coach David Noble was adamant at Arden Street on Friday morning that the CHRIS CAVANAGH Seymour’s Kings Park is a one-off for stick on … At the moment it is just Kangaroos had moved on quickly from last now, but Rance has not ruled out one game, but it potentially could be Saturday’s drought-breaking victory over Hawthorn. RICHMOND premiership star Alex playing more matches for the Lions. more than a one-off.” “That was nearly a week ago. We’re just back to Rance is set to make his football re- Seymour assistant coach Ben Clif- O’Sullivan said the announce- training; getting our intensity levels right,” Noble turn next weekend in a country foot- ton works with Rance at the former ment had already created plenty of said. “We said post-game it’s great nourishment for ball clash in northern Victoria. Tiger’s The Academy in Essendon. interest around the town and a larg- the club, but now it’s been a really clear focus in the Rance, 31, has not played since “They’ve been associates and er-than-normal crowd was expected last few days to get back to the elements we’ve been rupturing his ACL in Round 1, 2019, mates for a while,” Seymour presi- for next weekend’s match. trying to work on.” but has agreed to line up for Seymour dent Gerard O’Sullivan said. “The town’s abuzz already. It will Dual club champion Ben Cunnington had 11 in the Goulburn Valley Football “Ben’s convinced him to come up be good for our footy club, good for contested possessions in the final quarter to be a key League on Saturday, May 29. and have a game at Seymour and we our town and good for the Goulburn driver in North overrunning the struggling Hawks. Alex Rance. The match against Mooroopna at hope he likes it here and he might Valley,” O’Sullivan said. NTNE01Z01MA - V1.