TonyK
CibbuanoTough month leaves Pies flat: Malthouse
August 30th 2008 03:58
AN emotional month contributed to Collingwood's poor performance against Fremantle at Subiaco Oval on Friday night, according to Magpies coach Mick Malthouse.
Speaking after the 24-point loss, Malthouse said his young side may have experienced an emotional letdown after playing at high intensity levels in consecutive wins over St Kilda, Port Adelaide and Sydney.
"We were extremely tired after a very, very solid, emotional gut-busting month," said Malthouse.
"I don't believe our players have been this flat for a number of weeks."
"We wanted to take fourth spot ... (but) it didn't materialise because we were unaccustomed to being second, (our) forwards being behind, players not ... close enough to support each other."
"Under those circumstances, I have no doubt there is a psychological let down after (big) games, particularly if you have a lot of young players."
"If you have a seasoned team that's regularly in the finals, and I'm not talking about the club, 'cause it's our third year in a row, but it's the team out there and a lot of these players simply haven't been in finals football and I have no doubt that some of them subconsciously think, 'the last thing I want to do is be injured."
Malthouse said he was confident that his side, which will now play in a cut-throat elimination final in the first week of the finals series, will bounce back from the disappointing loss to the Dockers.
"(So) it's going to be cut throat, one loss and you're out, one win and you get another chance (but) I believe we can rebound from this," Malthouse said.
Meanwhile, Malthouse ruled out the possibility of club-suspended pair Heath Shaw and Alan Didak playing again this season.
Speaking after the 24-point loss, Malthouse said his young side may have experienced an emotional letdown after playing at high intensity levels in consecutive wins over St Kilda, Port Adelaide and Sydney.
"We were extremely tired after a very, very solid, emotional gut-busting month," said Malthouse.
"I don't believe our players have been this flat for a number of weeks."
"We wanted to take fourth spot ... (but) it didn't materialise because we were unaccustomed to being second, (our) forwards being behind, players not ... close enough to support each other."
"Under those circumstances, I have no doubt there is a psychological let down after (big) games, particularly if you have a lot of young players."
"If you have a seasoned team that's regularly in the finals, and I'm not talking about the club, 'cause it's our third year in a row, but it's the team out there and a lot of these players simply haven't been in finals football and I have no doubt that some of them subconsciously think, 'the last thing I want to do is be injured."
Malthouse said he was confident that his side, which will now play in a cut-throat elimination final in the first week of the finals series, will bounce back from the disappointing loss to the Dockers.
"(So) it's going to be cut throat, one loss and you're out, one win and you get another chance (but) I believe we can rebound from this," Malthouse said.
Meanwhile, Malthouse ruled out the possibility of club-suspended pair Heath Shaw and Alan Didak playing again this season.
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