Three of the Pies’ biggest names had big nights. They still lost, and that’s a massive problem

Nick Daicos, Scott Pendlebury and Jordan De Goey amassed 100 possessions between them. All three were among the best players on the ground at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night, and it still was not enough for Collingwood to beat the Western Bulldogs, another team in wildcard territory.

Coach Craig McRae conceded the Magpies had become a “middle of the road” team. He also repeatedly described his side as a “work in progress”.

Such assessments are befitting of teams on the rise, but not for a side that made last year’s preliminary final and who are regularly fielding the league’s oldest and most experienced 23s.

The Pies’ four point loss – 14.13 (97) to 13.15 (93) – leaves them clinging to a spot in the 10 and below parity with five wins and a draw from 12 games. Of their past 21 games, they have won just eight.

Bit by bit, the aura of McRae’s men is fading. They were once the kings of the close finish. Dogs coach Luke Beveridge remarked, “It was almost like they were toying with the competition”. Not any more.

The Pies have now failed to win four of their past five games decided by a goal or less; their only victory coming against Carlton after youngster Talor Byrne could not convert after the siren to draw the game.

As close as they were to knocking off Sydney, Fremantle and Hawthorn, the reality is the highest-ranked side the Pies have beaten so far this year is St Kilda in 11th.

The contrast with the Bulldogs could not have been more striking during a frantic finish that had the crowd of 43,430 on the edge of their seats until the final siren.

Beveridge is not afraid of picking inexperience. His premiership team in 2016 is among the youngest in the 18-team era.

When the game was on the line, the Dogs had Will Lewis, the final player drafted onto their list and who was playing top-level VAFA football last year, and Michael Sellwood, a mid-season pick from last season, stepping up.

“I’ve always had the attitude that you explore the promise,” Beveridge said. “You don’t see what it’s like if you don’t play them. When the kids show good signs, it’s so important, you got pressure for spots.”

One of the knocks on McRae at selection is his reliance on experience over youth. Their kids tend to need injuries to senior players before they get a chance.

It’s staggering that of their draft picks since 2019, only Daicos and Beau McCreery are regular first-team players. This is the generation that should be supporting Daicos in his prime years.

Against the Dogs, their five least experienced players – Wil Parker, Roan Steele, Harvey Harrison, Angus Anderso