Hear the barrackers a shouting, as all barrackers should, Oh, the premiership's a cakewalk For the good old Collingwood. They just can't find a path forward".Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph spoke about Collingwood's decision to scrap the theme song before they faced the Western Bulldogs at an empty Marvel Stadium.“The first game, I think you will forgive everyone for being a bit habitual,” he said.F: Mitch Wallis, Aaron Naughton, Sam LloydTo combat the coronavirus outbreak, Collingwood announced they would scrap a post-match tradition that's been in place since 1906.After saying earlier in the week that the AFL would stop for 14 days, CEO Gillon McLachlan confirmed on Friday the AFL premiership would shut down for at least 30 days in the event of a positive test.Bulldogs supporters leaving in their droves…“We would certainly stand down for a minimum of 30 days,” McLachlan told 3AW radio.However, three late goals put the Dogs back in contention, closing the deficit to only 30 points at half time.The two captains did not shake hands when the toss took place."We've just got to get used to these sort of things," King said on Fox Footy.McLachlan revealed no players had tested positive to the coronavirus, but a few are in quarantine as a precaution.The Western Bulldogs have been savaged for an underwhelming performance in the season opener at Marvel Stadium.The duo's family were spotted standing and cheering from a spectator's box when they combined for the six points.McLachlan also said players were unlikely to share water bottles, as they did during Thursday night’s season opener at the MCG."There were some protocols & health issues that were addressed with the clubs today. The Pies would, ultimately, sing the song, just not link arms or pour sports drink on each other.After post-game interactions between Richmond and Carlton players were questioned, the Magpies and the Bulldogs found an excellent balance on Friday night.Almost every player clapped their hands in rhythm with the tune as Jordan De Goey and Darcy Moore danced.“That’s as entertaining a club song I’ve seen for many a year,” legendary Hawthorn goalkicker Jason Dunstall told Fox Footy.St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt said the Pies had “set down a challenge for the rest of the competition with that performance”.Subscribe to our Fox Sports newslettersOnce complete, Brodie Grundy had a solo boogie before Brayden Maynard walked through the circle pretending to high-five everyone.“That was huge,” Magpies veteran Steele Sidebottom told Fox Footy post-game. Youngster Tyler – playing his debut for Collingwood – passed the ball to his older brother, Callum, who weaved his way through the Bulldogs' defence and score a fifth goal for the visitors.Collingwood have convincingly won their opening fixture of the 2020 premiership, trumping rivals the Western Bulldogs by 40 points on Friday evening."There will be more social distancing," Ralph said on Fox Footy."But the fans can get involved … sing it loud and sing it proud at home."“Two games in and it is clear – sport is meaningless without fans.
Practical things like not sharing water bottles, shaking hands. !"“There will be more social distancing,” Ralph said on Fox Footy."Naughton didn't play a pre-season game and that's showing tonight. But I think that might be here to stay.Dual premiership Kangaroo David King cheekily added: “I want to see the Esky in the middle, some thumping on top of the Esky, get the bins involved if you can … NRL-style.”This was epitomised by one of the more unique yet thoroughly enjoyable renditions of the Collingwood theme song.“That was electric, the boys loved it.”The players formed a circle around debutant Tyler Brown, who made an excellent impression in his first AFL outing.
This was epitomised by one of the more unique yet thoroughly enjoyable renditions of the Believe it or not, ‘Good Old Collingwood Forever’ has the oldest origins of any of our Australian football club songs.