Always the perfectionist, Nathan Buckley had to check himself in Sunday’s post-match AFL media conference.
The Collingwood coach made it clear the last quarter of the 61-point hiding they unleashed on Fremantle was not up to scratch.
After belting the Dockers in the third term, the Magpies took their collective foot off the opposition’s throat late in the game.
Fremantle rallied with four of the last six goals, reducing the margin from 78 points and saving some face.
“I’m pretty dirty with the last 15 (minutes) at the moment,” Buckley said.
“It was a shootout, really, the whole of the last quarter, which is not the way we want to play.”
But there was also plenty to like and Buckley quickly said it was time to focus on the positives.
Their score of 21.12 is the first time since round eight two seasons ago that they have kicked 20-plus goals in a match.
They improved by one spot to seventh on the ladder and also appeared to escape with no fresh injuries – a rarity for Collingwood so far this season.
More importantly, they have won their last three in a row and will go into the Queen’s Birthday blockbuster against top-four side Melbourne full of confidence.
Apart from their upset round-four win over the Crows in Adelaide, Collingwood are yet to beat a top side this season.
While they are clearly an improved side, next Monday is a massive test of their bona fides.
“We have some boys who have put together some really solid football and we’ve shown our best footy is pretty good,” Buckley said.
“You’re right about who we’ve played and who we’ve beaten, who we haven’t – that’s where the growth and opportunity are, for us to continue to improve.
“Next week … gives us an opportunity to test ourselves against one of the better teams.”