Collingwood defender Paul Seedsman hadn’t seen anything like it since the under-nines.
As Seedsman walked towards the three-quarter huddle in the annual Queen’s Birthday clash at the MCG he had a quick look at the scoreboard.
It read Collingwood 5.10 (40) to Melbourne 3.6 (24) in a match being played in perfect conditions.
The Magpies did manage three more goals in the final term, while the Demons were held goalless to finish with only three majors for the day.
“I think that was the lowest scoring game I can remember since the under-nines, when there were 18 blokes from each side huddled around the ball,” said Seedsman, who was playing only his second senior game of 2014 after recovering from groin surgery.
“It was a low-scoring game but that’s just the way it was.”
Still, it was matter of some pride for a no-frills Collingwood backline missing the likes of former skipper Nick Maxwell and Ben Reid that they were able to restrict an improving team like Melbourne to such an improbably low score.
“That’s probably the most rewarding part of the game,” said the 22-year-old Seedsman.
“We’re a defensively-minded team – with us it’s always defend first and then attack.
“So if we keep any side to three goals it’s a really solid effort.”
Seedsman provided plenty of dash off half-back for the Magpies but said he was still struggling to run out quarters after being forced to sit out much of the pre-season.
“I just need the run in the legs and obviously every game is invaluable for me for match fitness and all those things,” he said.
“It’s a work in progress and I’ve just got to keep improving every week.
“You see blokes like Clinton Young, who was playing a similar position to me today and right to the end he was running and breaking those lines.
“You just lose that edge towards the end of quarters and that’s an area where I want to improve.”