Whether it be the stellar shots at goal, the impressive work ethic, or the remarkable work from Collingwood defenders, the 2023 season has produced some roller coaster results.
Collingwood’s Victorian Wheelchair Football League (VWFL) team are heading into the final three rounds of the season with five wins and five loses, currently sitting in second position on the ladder.
Similarly, Collingwood’s Community Wheelchair Football League (CWFL) team have won five games and lost three and find themselves sitting in third spot on the ladder.
The bottom four sides on the ladder will play in the first week of finals to get the chance to play in the second week of finals alongside the team that finishes first on the ladder.
Throughout the season, the toughest match up for the Pies has been an in-form Hawthorn side due to their height and ability to read the play often better than the rest of the field.
The speed of the Hawks is also a significant factor in their ability to move the ball down the court and obtain goals faster and easier than other teams in the league.
Collingwood’s best team performance came in round 11 when the Pies faced off against the Hawks in the VWFL Pride Round double-header. It was this match that the Pies found their groove and took control of a seemingly uncontrollable Hawthorn side to produce a tough battle but an outstanding win.
This strong performance came through Collingwood having availability of all starting players for the first time in multiple weeks.
The Collingwood Community Wheelchair Football League (CWFL) team started their season strong going undefeated for the first four rounds and leaving all of their determination and hard work on the court following multiple hard-fought games.
This start afforded the team several strong performances which led six players to receiving separate Team of the Week nominations. These athletes included Anthony Perito, Josh Christian, Will Crooks, Ben Jankovski, Martyn Ford, and Arnold Razon.
As the half way point in the season approached, the Pies were also able to add Tim O’Connor to their CWFL roster who was an important addition moving into the latter half of the season.
Both Collingwood teams have seen injury to various team members, in particular Brett Newman and Iain Paech who are out for the 2023 season with a knee injury and hip surgery, respectively.
Collingwood VWFL Captain Ben Jankovski had this to say about the teams’ performances this season:
“The entire group has come a long way this season since everything started back in May. The team’s fitness levels look to be as strong as we’ve ever seen, we have found a team structure and rotation system that works well in training and on game days, and we’re looking forward to seeing where the last few rounds of the season will take us.”
Both the VWFL and CWFL teams hope to go one step further than last year by securing a place in the Grand Final.
Collingwood VWFL Season Results so far:
R1: 9.7, 61 lost to Essendon 10.9, 69
R2: 15.7, 97 def Richmond 11.5, 71
R2: 11.13, 79 lost to St Kilda 13.2, 80
R3: Bye
R4: 6.7, 43 lost to Hawthorn 20.8, 128
R5: 14.4, 88 def Essendon 9.6, 60
R6: Bye
R7: 10.4,64 def Richmond 9.5, 59
R8: Bye
R9: 6.4, 40 lost to Hawthorn 18.5, 113
R10: 8.5, 53 lost to St Kilda 14.9, 93
R11: 17.5, 107 def Richmond 6.8, 44
R11: 10.8, 68 def Hawthorn 9.4, 58
Rounds 12 through to 14 are yet to be played.
Collingwood CWFL Season Results so far:
R1: 5.6, 36 def Essendon 1.1, 7
R2: Bye
R3: 9.12, 66 def Hawthorn 3.3, 21
R4: 6.5, 41 def Essendon 3.4, 22
R5: Bye
R6: 4.5, 29 def Richmond 3.2, 20
R7: Bye
R8: 7.7, 40 lost to Hawthorn 9.3, 57
R9: 5.11, 41 lost to St Kilda 9.1, 55
R10: 6.3, 39 lost to St Kilda 10.4, 64
R10: 10.5, 65 def Richmond 8.5, 53
Rounds 11 through to 13 are still yet to be played.
