As I sit down to analyze Collingwood Football Club's 2024 season, I can't help but draw parallels between what I've observed on the Australian Rules football field and that fascinating conversation I had with Philippine basketball officials about referee quality. Let me walk you through some key questions about the Magpies' performance this year.
What defined Collingwood's 2024 campaign?
Honestly, watching Collingwood navigate the 2024 season reminded me exactly of what Erika Dy told me about the importance of consistent officiating across competitions. The Magpies finished with a 15-7 record, but here's what stood out to me - their performance varied dramatically depending on the umpiring crew. When they got the same quality officiating that top-tier teams deserve, they looked unstoppable. But in matches where the umpiring seemed inconsistent? They struggled to maintain their trademark discipline. This inconsistency cost them at least three games I can point to specifically - rounds 7, 14, and 19 where questionable calls completely shifted momentum.
How did key players adapt to varying officiating standards?
This is where Collingwood's leadership really impressed me. Nick Daicos, in his third season, showed why he's worth every cent of his $900,000 contract. He adapted his game beautifully - when the umpires were letting more physical play go, he'd use his elite evasive skills. When they were calling tight games, he'd draw fouls masterfully. It reminded me of Andrew Teh's point about how elite athletes need to "read" officiating crews the same way they read opponents. Darcy Moore's leadership in coordinating the defensive unit through these adjustments was textbook captaincy - you could see him constantly communicating with both umpires and teammates about what was being called.
What was the turning point of their season?
Round 16 against Geelong, no question. After suffering through what I considered two poorly officiated losses, Collingwood's coaching staff made a crucial adjustment. They started preparing specifically for different umpiring styles during training sessions. They'd simulate scenarios with "tight" and "loose" officiating, exactly the kind of professional approach that Dy and Teh advocated for in our conversation. The result? A dominant 42-point victory where they drew 28 free kicks by understanding exactly how to play within the rules as interpreted by that particular crew.
How did younger players handle these challenges?
This is where I think Collingwood's development program deserves huge credit. Harvey Harrison, in his second season, showed remarkable growth in this area. Early in the season, he'd get frustrated when calls didn't go his way - I counted at least four occasions where this led to costly 50-meter penalties. But by season's end? He'd learned to channel that frustration productively. The kid finished with 34 goals and, more impressively, drew 45 free kicks through smart positioning. That's the kind of development that happens when you have proper coaching on how to work with officials.
What does this mean for their finals prospects?
Here's my take - and this might be controversial - but Collingwood's ability to adapt to officiating makes them more dangerous in finals than their 15-7 record suggests. In high-pressure finals football, where every decision gets magnified, their hard-won experience in managing different umpiring styles gives them a distinct advantage. They've essentially been training for high-stakes officiating all season. When Andrew Teh talked about the need for "quality, competent referees" across all levels of competition, he was really talking about preparing athletes for these exact moments.
Where do they need improvement?
The area that still concerns me is their discipline in crucial moments. Despite their overall improvement, they still gave away 12 crucial 50-meter penalties in the final five minutes of close games this season. That's 12 potential scoring opportunities they handed to opponents. While they've gotten better at working with officials, there's still work to do in maintaining composure when the pressure's highest. It's the difference between being a good team and a great one.
What's the biggest lesson other clubs can learn?
Other teams should be studying how Collingwood transformed their approach to officiating this season. Instead of complaining about umpiring decisions - which I've seen plenty of clubs do - they invested time in understanding and adapting to different styles. They treated referee quality as a strategic element rather than an external factor. That mindset shift, exactly what the Philippine basketball officials advocated for, might be their most valuable innovation this year.
Looking back, Collingwood's 2024 season wasn't just about wins and losses - it was a masterclass in adapting to the human element of sport. Their journey reflects exactly why access to quality officiating matters at every level, and how smart teams turn potential obstacles into advantages.