AFL Round 7 – Collingwood vs Carlton Match Preview.

 

RIVALRY, true rivalry, is rare in sport. Yet on Friday night at the M.C.G. Australia’s greatest domestic sporting rivalry will write another chapter into it’s long history. It’s Collingwood vs Carlton of course, the biggest and oldest rivalry in the AFL which dates back to the start of the VFL competition. The relationship started well enough between the two clubs, with Carlton even being of great assistance to Collingwood being created in 1892, yet only 18 years later it all turned sour after a brutal and controversial 1910 VFL Grand Final. After that game in which Collingwood won the premiership be defeating Carlton, accusations of cheating and misrepresentation were bought forward against each club. The ensuing public spectacle began the raw and now developed feeling that you simply do not like the other team if you follow the other team.

Throughout the years there’s been classic clashes, from that day in 1910 to the 1970 Grand Final, through to recent games which have been spiteful and aggressive in nature. Of course this year there’s an added spice to the mix with 2010 Collingwood premiership coach Mick Malthouse (in his 2^nd year with Carlton) and premiership player Dale Thomas being in the enemy camp wearing navy blue now. Most of the focus this week will be on Thomas, Malthouse, Buckley and McGuire but the game itself presents as a crucial matchup for both clubs.

Carlton’s season looked dead and buried after just four weeks, but with two wins in a row there is hope at the end of a long tunnel for Blues fans. Collingwood is travelling a bit better though, with 2 more wins on the board after 6 games but that gap could be closed with a Carlton win this Friday.

 

PREVIOUS FORM.

Carlton timed their run perfectly to beat the Eagles last week.

After four rounds of the AFL season Carlton was in turmoil, they hadn’t won a game despite playing against some low quality opposition. The loss to Melbourne in round 4 was the low point and made them the laughing stock of the entire AFL. However, as you’d always expect of a team coached by Mick Malthouse they have found a way to fight back with two wins over the Bulldogs and the Eagles. That win over the Eagles, last Saturday at Etihad Stadium, was a gutsy come from behind win, the type that galvanises a playing group and leads them to bigger and better things. Led by new recruit Dale Thomas and club stalwarts Gibbs and Simpson Carlton launched from 24 points down halfway through the final quarter to keep alive their slim finals hopes. They’ll have to recreate the way they played late in that game to get anywhere near the Pies though.

Collingwood not unlike Carlton came back from a large deficit to win their most recent game also. On ANZAC day, in front over 91,000 people the Pies found themselves 37 points down early in the second quarter having not registered a goal of their own yet. Somehow the Magpies recovered though, they lifted their intensity and all of a sudden they looked like a top four side again, pressuring Essendon out of the game and running away with a stunning 23 point win. Pressure is the key word with this Magpies team too, when they win they do so because of their approach towards the opposition ball carriers, and that was none more evident that in the second quarter against Essendon. Of course the Magpies midfield stars led the way with Pendlebury, Swan, Beams, Sidebottom and Ball all contributing but what would have impressed coach Nathan Buckley was the way his young defense responded after being poor early on. The Magpies are playing like a strong team unit now, and will be tough to beat for Carlton.

 

COLLINGWOOD PREVIEW.

After a tough start to the season (1-2 win/loss after 3 rounds) the Magpies have found their mojo and are now playing some very good football. If there’s a problem it’s that they haven’t yet been able to put it together for four quarters in a game and at times have had big lapses. Against all of Richmond, North Melbourne and Essendon the opposition has kicked multiple goals in a row and it’s an area the coaching staff know needs improvement. But for every problem that does exist you have to admire the way this team has picked itself up and improved week by week. The fact is the Pies haven’t been able to post anywhere near their best 22 players on the field in one given game yet, but they have shown signs that if they do get those players back soon they could be a top four team after all. Another positive is the form of the VFL side who had another strong performance on Saturday that sees several more players pushing for senior selection once again. The two most obvious players from that VFL team are Marley Williams and Taylor Adams, both fighting through problems to get back into the senior team. Williams return from a long break due to legal issues looked to be right on track until he went down with an injured ankle in the third quarter, but from all reports he pulled up well and is on contention for selection this week, at either level. Adams has been a strange one, recruited in a swap for club legend Heath Shaw, the pressure may have got to him early and after he copped a one week suspension he may have dropped his bundle and really struggled. Adams has done the opposite though, basically ensuring the VFL side held on against a fast finishing Essendon on Saturday with some great hard ball gets.

Whether either player gets a game this week will depend on the fitness of Clinton Young and Alex Fasolo, with both under injury clouds and very little other room in the senior side based on form. It’s the most cohesive and together this Collingwood team has looked under Nathan Buckley and it’s kind of ironical that it’s this week where the Pies face up to two old contributors in Malthouse and Thomas. What effect that has on the playing group from the Magpies is anyone’s guess but with the determination and will they showed against Essendon these Pies won’t be afraid of Carlton.

 

OPPOSITION ANALYSIS.

Just two weeks ago Carlton were gone, their season was over, well if you listened to the media hype that was anyway. Carlton had just lost to Melbourne of all teams and was win less after four games. The two wins in a row after that have taken some of the pressure of the Blues but they know they have to keep winning or their finals hopes for season 2014 really will be over soon. This week they come against a side in form, but one that they have competed well against in the past, leading the Pies in the first game last season before being over run late. Carlton’s speed is the weapon that can hurt the Magpies and it’s one they’ll have to use well or face a heavy loss. There have been question marks about Carlton’s forward line and back line although both areas do have talented players.

Carlton’s defense is a problem as the Blues have conceded the second most points of any side in the AFL after six rounds. That’s not entirely due to the struggling backline as they do play a very attacking brand of football, but the backline has to take some of the blame here. Carlton have tried to build a backline around the very stable Michael Jamison and Andrew Walker although it’s not reaping any rewards yet. Sam Rowe, Lachlan Henderson, Simon White and Andrejs Everitt have all been used in key position defensive roles but most seem better in other, more attacking positions. Dylan Buckley was impressive last week though and along with Walker should provide enough drive out of the backline this week. The matchups don’t seem to favour Carlton though, Jamison on Cloke, Rowe on the resting ruckman, White on White (Simon on Jesse), it just doesn’t seem right. Then there’s the plethora of goal kicking midfielders and smalls who rotate through the Pies forward line. This is the area of the ground of most concern for the Blues on Friday night.

Henderson and Waite are the talls in a dangerous Carlton forward line.

The Carlton forward line is a little dysfunctional at times but they do know how to put the score on the board, with Carlton actually scoring 2 more points so far this season that the 4^th placed Pies. Once again that has to do with the attacking game style but there’s little doubt that if Carlton get the ball inside forward 50 enough, they’ll put a decent score on the board. Henderson and Waite both look dangerous up forward as the main key position attackers, while Ellard, Yarran, Garlett and several midfielders have chipped in for goals also so far this year. Carlton don’t really have a trouble scoring once they get it inside forward 50 against most teams, but they may face a harder task this week against a young and improving Pies backline. Without Reid, Brown and Williams most though the Pies backline would implode early in 2014 but youngsters such as Frost and Langdon have actually added another element to the defensive zone. Carlton will have the try and move the ball quickly and cleanly inside forward 50 because if they don’t the Pies defense will have a field day.

Carlton’s midfield is still it’s strength, even with the absence of a few first choice players. The absence of Judd and Kreuzer has meant that others have had to step up and in recent weeks that has happened. Carlton’s midfield is ranked 3^rd for contested possessions and clearances which shows this is clearly the area of the ground working best for them at the moment. Murphy, McLean, Carrazzo and Gibbs have led the way in this area in the last fortnight and will have to be on their game again as they face off against one of the most damaging mid-fields’ in the competition. One area that Carlton will look to exploit Collingwood is in the ruck, with youngsters Witts and Grundy still developing their game for the Pies while Robert Warnock has been in good form for the Blues, especially last week with 38 hitouts and 7 clearances of his own. This may well be where the game is decided, Carlton don’t even have to win the central battle but they have to restrict the effectiveness of the Pies midfielders if they want to be competitive here.

Carlton are back on track, they have hit some form after a terrible start to the season but they have to improve yet again if they are to defeat a top four contender like Collingwood. The midfield battle will be crucial and the Blues defense will also have to perform better than it has so far this season. The return of Carrazzo will help the Blues out in the middle and also in stopping the star Magpie midfielders. Carlton won’t be scared of the predicted wet weather it may actually help them defensively but they will have to deal with a tackling pressure that they haven’t seen yet, with players like Goldsack, Blair and Elliott helping the Pies lead the league for effective tackles that lead to turnovers. Carlton will give themselves a chance though, their game style will worry Collingwood at times, there’s little doubt about that.

 

TEAMS.

 

Collingwood
B: Nick Maxwell, Jack Frost, Marley Williams
HB: Clinton Young, Lachlan Keeffe, Heritier Lumumba
C: Steele Sidebottom, Brent Macaffer, Dane Swan
HF: Sam Dwyer, Jesse White, Luke Ball
F: Jamie Elliott, Travis Cloke, Tyson Goldsack
Foll: Brodie Grundy, Dayne Beams, Scott Pendlebury
Int: Tom Langdon, Jarryd Blair, Jarrod Witts, Josh Thomas
Emg: Ben Kennedy, Taylor Adams, Nathan Brown

IN: Sam Dwyer, Marley Williams
OUT: Alex Fasolo (toe), Alan Toovey (hamstring)

Carlton

B: S.White M.Jamison S.Rowe
HB: Z.Tuohy A.Walker K.Simpson
C: H.Scotland A.Carrazzo M.Robinson
HF: B.McLean J.Waite D.Thomas
F: T.Menzel L.Henderson L.Casboult
R: R.Warnock M.Murphy B.Gibbs
INT: D.Buckley A.Everitt K.Lucas J.Garlett
EMG: T.Bell M.Watson S.Docherty

 

TIP.

Collingwood should, and probably will win this game but this rivalry in the past has thrown up unpredictable results. The forecast wet weather should keep the scores close and with Collingwood losing Toovey and Fasolo off half back it might bring Carlton into the game. Ultimately though no matter what the conditions are, or who is selected in the final teams I’m expecting the superior team to win.

 

MAGPIES BY 22 POINTS.

 

VFL.

 

The Collingwood VFL side travels to Williamstown on Sunday to play the Seagulls in a crucial round 5 matchup. The game is at Burbank Oval and starts at 2pm on Sunday.

 

AFL Round 6 – Collingwood vs Essendon Match Preview.

 

LEST WE FORGET. They are the final words of the ANZAC oath, read out each ANZAC day at ceremonies right around Australia and New Zealand, on a day that has become as respected as any in the Australasian calendar. Since 1995, the AFL has honoured the ANZAC’s before a packed crowd at the MCG, with a game between Collingwood and Essendon whose result isn’t anywhere as meaningful as the day itself. But since that first game in 1995, which fittingly ended in a draw, sporting events of the major codes have helped raise awareness of the ANZAC’s and what they did for their nation. Many made the ultimate sacrifice and it’s right that now the day, and our servicemen and women get the respect they deserve. The pre match service at the MCG on this day is as moving and as touching as any memorial day held anywhere in the world, and this year that tradition will continue.

Obviously though there’s a game to be played, and while it’s still just a game it’s of vital importance to the respective teams. Collingwood, the biggest sporting organisation in the land, come into this game with renewed vigour and confidence after two strong wins in a row, while Essendon come in on the back of two rather embarrassing losses. If history has taught us anything about this annual clash, ladder positions and form can be thrown out the window and anything can and probably will happen on the day. From the beginning, and that now famous draw, there’s been epic finishes to these matches on a regular basis, as shown by the 2009 and 2012 results. In 2009 in driving rain the Bombers David Zaharakis kicked the match winning goal with only seconds left, while in 2012 Magpie Jarryd Blair returned the favour with a scrambling last minute goal to return the favour. So be careful about digging too far into the form for this one, and maybe just sit back and enjoy another ANZAC day classic.

 

RECENT FORM

If you do take a look at recent form though, Essendon’s pales in comparison to any other finals contending team in the competition. After looking very good for the first three rounds of the season, Essendon then travelled to Perth in round 4 and from the moment they landed everything seemed to go wrong. From players getting ill pre game to injuries in the warm up, it really was a day from hell fro the Bombers as they were smashed by Fremantle to the extent of 53 points. Yes it was hot and things went wrong, but what happened the following week no one could have foreseen. Essendon came home to play St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Saturday and despite a positive start once again the Bombers struggled to fight out a game when asked to do so. The Saints, massive underdogs for the game ran away with the game after quarter time and placed Essendon firmly in the middle of a mini crisis.

Collingwood’s form is almost the complete opposite, after a tough start to the season the Magpies have found form and have notched up three wins out of their last 4 games. The last two wins against Richmond and North Melbourne have been impressive in many ways, but it’s been the pressure that the Pies have been able to place on the competition that has been their main weapon. The return to form of Travis Cloke and Dane Swan has helped, and finally the injury list at Collingwood is decreasing also. All is looking up for the Magpies indeed.

 

COLLINGWOOD PREVIEW

A few weeks back it seemed as if Collingwood’s season was on the edge of disaster after a second loss of the season in just three games. As it’s turned out though, that loss to Geelong was as honourable as losses get (11 points to the still undefeated Cats) and from there everything is looking up for the Pies. Wins against the Tigers and Kangaroos have seen an increase in confidence and intensity amongst the playing group. Now for the first time in a long time Collingwood has several players pushing for selection through the VFL, with the likes of Taylor Adams, Ben Kennedy, Ben Hudson, Patrick Karnezis, Sam Dwyer and Nathan Brown all playing well in the reserves last weekend. The club must now be a great place to be, jokes and laughs would be in the air, the Westpac Centre would now feel like a positive place and that can only lead to future good results.

Selection this week will be tough for the Collingwood coaches, with Brown, Dwyer and Adams all deserving of a game, but there’s very few in the selected 22 against North who played poorly enough to be dropped. Brown is the full back for the Pies, so you’d expect he’d come back in, but Adams and Dwyer may have to wait their turn. In that 22 that played against Richmond, several stood out and performed magnificently. Alex Fasolo’s move to half back seems to be working really well, with the ex forward massing 32 possessions at a disposal efficiency of over 84%. He’s the type of skilful player many sides seek coming out of the backline these days, and he really is showing a tonne of potential in this role. Some of the Pies stars returned to form too against the Kangaroos, with Swan, Cloke, Lumumba and Maxwell all dominating in their particular areas. New captain Scott Pendlebury continued his stellar form and it seems as if being made captain has actually improved his game, which is scary for future opposition.

Collingwood will see this game as an opportunity to really get their season back on track. If they can win it, they go to a 4-2 win loss record with a draw that seems easier than the one they’ve just endured. It really is a big game for the Pies and you’d expect the champion midfielders they have to stamp their authority on the game once again.

 

OPPOSITION ANALYSIS

Essendon are in somewhat of a mini crisis, they are struggling to produce the type of football that only weeks ago had them being talked up as a top 4 contender. The trip to Perth and subsequent loss wasn’t seen as an absolute disastrous result, but the loss to St Kilda really has the club in turmoil, with several big name players on the edge of being dropped for poor performances. Why it’s turned around so quickly is anyone’s guess, it could be injuries, it could be a lack of defensive pressure or it could be the game plan fails under pressure. Whatever it is the Bombers have to get back on track this Friday, and they only have a few days to prepare to do so. The positive news for Essendon is the probable return of Goddard, Winderlich and Bellchambers, but to blame all the problems on personnel seems like a cop out. Essendon do have weaknesses, but they also have areas of strength that can exploit this Collingwood outfit.

If there’s an area that Essendon can attempt to gain an advantage over Collingwood it’s in the ruck, with Ryder and possibly Bellchambers forming a strong combination. If Bellchambers plays they will go head to head with two Collingwood youngsters, Witts and Grundy and the Bombers would expect to dominate in this area. The problem is that below those rucks is a midfield which is struggling, with Essendon ranked 14^th for contested possessions. It’s a strange occurrence when the Bombers have players like Watson, Stanton, Heppell, Myers and Zaharakis in that midfield rotation. Of course this week they run into the powerful Collingwood midfield, and while the stats don’t back up just how strong the Pies central grouping is, when an opposition sees Pendlebury, Beams, Swan, Ball and Sidebottom on the team sheet, you know you are in for a tough day. It may not be where this game is won or lost though.

Michael Hurley has been playing well in defense in 2014.

The Essendon backline has struggled over the past few weeks, but it hasn’t been entirely their fault with their midfield failing to put enough pressure on the opposition at times. The worry is that two of the league’s hardest working forwards, Pavlich and Riewoldt have worked the Dons over and this week they run into Travis Cloke, Jesse White and the in form Jamie Elliott. Essendon don’t really have the means to improve their backline too much either, with the possible ins being midfielders and forwards more than defenders. One of the biggest problems is what to do with Hurley and Carlisle, who are both struggling at the moment. Carlisle seems to be more effective in the backline, while Hurley seems better up forward, but in recent weeks those roles have been reversed with mixed results. Collingwood also relies on it’s midfield for scoring so Essendon’s defense will need help from it’s midfield in restricting the Magpies score.

Essendon’s forward line looks dangerous on paper, but last week it really struggled to put the score on the board, despite have almost as many inside 50’s as the Saints. The Hurley/Carlisle debate will rage on, but Essendon will be hoping the probable return of Goddard and Bellchambers makes their attack far more dangerous. It’s an area they will look to exploit Collingwood in but youngsters Jack Frost and Lachlan Keeffe have made up for the absence of Brown and Reid in recent times, so even a weakened Pies defense isn’t easy to dominate. The inclusion of Paul Champan this year has helped though, with his 9 goals in 4 games (he missed the Fremantle game) helping cover up the other problems up forward. Hardingham (9 goals) and Stanton (8 goals) have also impacted the scoreboard so far in 2014, but to defeat a side like Collingwood they’ll need plenty of contributors to the score board.

Essendon need to rebound, and they need to do it quickly. A loss to the Pies would leave them at 2-4, and from there it’s a hard task just to make the finals, let alone be a contender for a top 4 spot. To win they’ll need to play as a team though, something that has been missing over the past two weeks. There’s also been questions about the players individual recovery, and yet another six day break will bring that into focus, and need, once again. These two teams match up pretty well though, so if Essendon can get themselves up for this game and work hard for four quarters they could cause an upset.

 

 

TEAMS

Collingwood
B: Alan Toovey, Jack Frost, Nick Maxwell
HB: Clinton Young, Lachlan Keeffe, Heritier Lumumba
C: Steele Sidebottom, Brent Macaffer, Dane Swan
HF: Josh Thomas, Jesse White, Jarryd Blair
F: Jamie Elliott, Travis Cloke, Tyson Goldsack
Foll: Brodie Grundy, Dayne Beams, Scott Pendlebury
Int: Alex Fasolo, Luke Ball, Jarrod Witts, Tom Langdon
Emg: Sam Dwyer, Taylor Adams, Nathan Brown

 

TIP

 

Collingwood go into this year’s ANZAC day clash as favourites, and rightfully so. They have the better form, they are working harder as a team and they seem to be all buying into the coaches plan. Essendon are almost the opposite, in poor form, their work rate has been down and there are rumblings about player divisions with the coaching staff. But playing in front of 90,000 people seems to change things some times, with form and previous problems being overcome quite easily in previous clashes on this day.

On form though, and on paper, you have to tip the Pies and I’m no different.

 

MAGPIES BY 18 POINTS.

 

VFL

The day after ANZAC day (Saturday) both clubs will face off again in the VFL at Essendon’s traditional home ground, Windy Hill. The game starts at 1.10pm and is the ABC TV game.

 

AFL Round 5 – Collingwood vs North Melbourne Match Preview.

Saturday afternoon footy, the way it’s supposed to be, and this weekend for the first time in season 2014 Collingwood and North Melbourne get to experience it. It’s a vital game for both clubs that may well determine which finishes ahead of the other after 23 rounds. At the moment North Melbourne sit sixth on the AFL ladder after winning three games in a row, while Collingwood sit ninth with a 2 win and 2 loss record. Both of these sides came into the season highly rated, some even had them finishing in the top four yet after round 1 it looked like all those predictions were wrong. Collingwood was thumped by Fremantle and Essendon easily disposed of the Kangaroos. Since then however each teams’ form has improved with the only loss in the combined 6 games coming against a premiership contending team in Geelong (Collingwood lost by 11 points). There’s little doubt that at the moment Collingwood and North Melbourne are two of the in form sides of the competition which makes for a mouth watering contest this Saturday at the MCG.

 

RECENT FORM

North were way too good for Sydney last week.

After two wins in a row to get them back in the positive, North Melbourne ventured to the SCG to play Sydney last weekend and they started as clear underdogs. Yet from early in the game it was quite clear that this Kangaroos outfit had improved on the 2013 version, as it dominated the game and ran away with a very impressive 43 point win. It was the second week in a row that North had won a game as the underdog, after defeating Port Adelaide in Melbourne by 7 points in one of the games of the year so far. The Roos are in top form having defeated two highly rated opponents in consecutive weeks and will go into this match full of confidence.

Collingwood’s form is also looking good after a wonky start to the season. Wins over Sydney and Richmond with a very competitive loss to the rampaging Cats in between sees them back where they want to be on field. Last week’s win over the Tigers was never really in doubt, as the Pies midfield ran rampant kicked 10 of the club’s 16 goals. The highlight of the performance once again was Brent Macaffer who kept the opposition skipper to just 13 possessions, and you know a Pies player is doing a great job when the media criticise him for his methods. The Magpies defense still isn’t’ at full strength and their forwards are struggling, especially Travis Cloke, but they are now back to the dangerous team they were for most of last season.

 

COLLINGWOOD PREVIEW

After a disastrous start to the season Collingwood are back in form, there’s little doubt about that. In fact the Magpies current form may even be greater than most expected from them in 2014, with some tipping them to fall well down the ladder. There’s been plenty of reasons for the improvement, an increase in midfield performance, a tight knit defense performing at a top level and an intensity that is only there when the Pies are playing well. Of course the stars have led the way, with new captain Scott Pendlebury having stellar performances in both wins, and Dayne Beams taking his game to yet another level. There is still room for improvement though and the hope is that over the next few weeks some injured players will return to boost the Pies overall strength.

The return of players starts this week with Nathan Brown, Sam Dwyer and Taylor Adams all returning, the latter from a one week suspension. Brown’s recovery has been quite remarkable with some medical experts saying he would miss a large chunk of the season after dislocating his shoulder in the win over Sydney two weeks back. Brown’s return, along with Dwyer and Adams means that for the first time this season Collingwood has some genuine selection choices to make.

If there’s one area of real concern for the Pies it’s their star forward Travis Cloke, who in four games this season has only managed to kick two goals in total, and if the Pies want to compete with the best, they need their main man up forward impacting the scoreboard.

This weekend though Collingwood will go in with 22 fit and ready players after an 8 day break, something that would have allowed a few players to get over niggling injuries they had leading into the Richmond game. The possible return of Nathan Brown adds even more stability to the backline and if the Magpies can figure out a way to kick more accurately at goal, they really are a dangerous team for anyone to come up against.

 

OPPOSITION ANALYSIS

 

North Melbourne were one of the most hyped teams in the pre season with many good judges tipping them to not only make the finals but pus for a top four spot. After round 1, just like the Magpies, that looked unlikely but with three wins in a row North are back in form, and arguably in better form than we’ve seen from them for several years. Many have been waiting for this Kangaroos outfit to mature and it seems that finally they have. The addition and continued improvement of the likes of McDonald, Hansen, Black, Nahas, Bastinac, Gibson, Atley and Cunnington has made this side more consistent it seems. Of course the big name recruit at North is Nick Dal Santo and so far he hasn’t let them down at all, in fact he has excelled. Overall the Roos just look like a more stable, more reliable outfit than in years past.

The North Melbourne backline is starting to come together much like the rest of the team is. Last season at times they simply were too easy to score against, yet so far in season 2014 they’ve been very effective in restricting their opponents scoring ability. Led by Thompson, Grima and Hansen the backline for the Roos all of a sudden looks like one that may carry them a long way. The addition of Luke McDonald too has added some excitement to what many thought was a dour defense, but they will have to be on their game this week. Collingwood’s forwards haven’t really clicked as a group yet in 2014 but it will happen one week, that’s assured.

Ben Cunnington has started this season in great form.

The Kangaroos midfield is a very capable and very strong unit that compares favourably when judged up against most opposition central groupings. The absence of Andrew Swallow should have held them back yet the improvement of Ben Cunnington and the continued excellence of the likes of Harvey, Ziebell, Wells and Bastinac has seen this midfield perform at a high level in recent weeks. In the ruck they have one of the overall best ruckman in the AFL, Todd Goldstein who has also been ably assisted by Daniel Currie over the past few rounds. North rank 5^th for hitouts while the Pies ranked 15^th, so there’s one area that the Roos should get a clear advantage. Of course Collingwood make up for less than stellar ruck effectiveness with a stunning group of midfielders who really are unmatched for talent and depth in the AFL. This is an area North will have to be competitive in to give themselves a chance of winning.

North Melbourne’s forward line on paper looks like one of the best in the AFL and while it’s performed well so far this season there are still doubts about it’s ability to perform consistently. Lindsay Thomas on his day can tear a game apart, yet hasn’t really done that yet this season. Drew Petrie is the main tall target up forward yet so far this season he’s only managed 1 more goal than the heavily criticised Travis Cloke. North, a lot like the Magpies, are relying on goals from their midfielders and while they have been ably assisted so far this season there will be games where this forward setup will have to score on it’s own. They do face a slightly depleted Magpies defense this week, with a lack of small defenders due to injuries and other circumstances. It’s the area of the ground that the Roos should exploit the Pies the most, but can they?

There’s little doubt that this 2014 version of the Kangaroos is better than the one that went around last year, it’s tougher, it’s more efficient and looks to be far more defensive than the side that gave up so many big leads last season. They will go into this match with a tonne of confidence off the back of three good wins and they will test and maybe exploit the Magpies in several key areas. If they can pull of the win a 4-1 start to the season is the reward, and that’s a sensational start for a side that missed the finals last season.

 

TEAMS

Collingwood
B: Alan Toovey, Jack Frost, Tom Langdon
HB: Nick Maxwell, Lachlan Keeffe, Alex Fasolo
C: Steele Sidebottom, Brent Macaffer, Heritier Lumumba
HF: Dayne Beams, Jesse White, Luke Ball
F: Jamie Elliott, Travis Cloke, Jarrod Witts
Foll: Brodie Grundy, Dane Swan, Scott Pendlebury
Int: Tyson Goldsack, Jarryd Blair, Clinton Young, Josh Thomas
Emg: Sam Dwyer, Marty Clarke, Taylor Adams

No Change

Backs M.Firrito 11 N.Grima 17 N.Dal Santo 15
Half Backs S.Atley 18 S.Thompson 16 L.Greenwood 24
Centreline S.Gibson 43 R.Bastinac 3 B.McKenzie 2
Half Forwards L.Thomas 12 A.Black 35 B.Cunnington 10
Forwards L.Adams 13 D.Petrie 20 L.Hansen 6
Followers T.Goldstein 22 D.Wells 8 B.Harvey 29
Interchange D.Currie 1 B.Jacobs 5 L.McDonald 21 A.Mullett 41
Emergencies S.Wright 19 R.Nahas 28 J.Tippett 36

In: D.Currie
Out: R.Nahas (Omitted)

 

TIP

This really is one tough game to tip. On one hand you have North Melbourne, who have won three in a row, the last two coming against quality opposition while on the other hand you have the Magpies, who rampaged through the Tigers last week. North go into the game with the smaller injury list, with only Andrew Swallow a certain best 22 player missing, but this is somewhat offset by the Magpies good depth, home ground advantage and an extra 2 days rest.

Ultimately the latter might be the determining factor in a very close game, so I think Collingwood will over run North Melbourne late to move to 3-2 for the season, equal with the Roos.

 

PIES BY 8 POINTS.

 

VFL

After a big loss in round 2 the Collingwood VFL team hosts Coburg at Victoria Park on Saturday at 11am.

 

 

AFL Round 4 – Collingwood vs Richmond Match Preview.

 

ONE WIN, THREE LOSSES, that’s a terrible way to start a 22 game AFL premiership season, yet that’s exactly where the loser of Friday Night’s round 4 opener will sit. Richmond and Collingwood came into season 2014 with high hopes, the Tiger Army was coming off it’s first finals appearance in a decade, while the Magpies were looking to get back to their glory days of recent years. Both clubs lost elimination finals in the first week of the finals in 2013 as favourites, so both would have thought of using that as motivation going forward. Yet after three rounds they both sit outside the top 8, with a one win and two loss record, and no matter how they’ve come to this point this game is now absolutely crucial.

Considering you’ll probably need to win 13 of 22 games just to play finals this season, a loss here would place extreme pressure on a teams chances to make the top 8. Wet weather is predicted in Melbourne for most of the week so this may well be a brutal slog in which the winner comes away with a close victory and relaunches their season.

Recent history between these two teams points dramatically in favour of the Magpies, with all of the last six meetings going the way of Collingwood. In fact the last time Richmond defeated the Pies was way back in 2007, although in a quirk in the draw they haven’t met twice in the same season since that year.

The Tigers will have to overcome that terrible recent run against the Pies if they want to keep their finals hopes alive.

 

RECENT FORM;

 

Matt Thomas has added some toughness to the Tigers.

It’s been a disappointing start to the season for Richmond, losing to two sides who probably won’t play finals and literally falling over the line against another in the same category. Their only win came over Carlton in round 2, and they could well be 0-3 if the Blues had of kicked straight in that game. Last weekend at Etihad Stadium, the Tigers trailed for nearly the entire match, and despite getting the lead momentarily in the last quarter, they lost to a Daniel Giansiracusa match winning goal. While that may look bad on paper, there still has been positives for Richmond though, with newcomers Matt Thomas and Nathan Gordon doing plenty in the early rounds. Just like Collingwood though the Tigers have been hit hard by injuries, with Deledio, Maric, Hampson, Knights and Rance all missing games so far. They should get a few of those players back this week and if recent form is anything to go by, they will need them.

It’s hard to judge just how Collingwood is going due to their very hard draw to start the season. A big loss to Fremantle in round 1, followed by a gutsy win over Sydney saw Collingwood enter last week’s clash against Geelong in decent shape. But against Geelong they never really looked like winning, even if the sides were only split by 5 points with seconds remaining. The Pies were lucky to be that close really, with the Cats missing a heap of chances to build a big lead in the first and third quarters. There were positives out of the loss though, with Jamie Elliott having a great night with 5 goals and a mark of the year contender in what might have been a career best performance. Brent Macaffer added Steve Johnson to his list of tagging victims and Dayne Beams played his usual good game against the Cats. It was another loss though in the end, and one that leaves Collingwood on the edge of what would be a poor start to the season.

 

COLLINGWOOD PREVIEW;

The last two games that the Magpies have played have seen them get back on track to their usual competitive selves after a terrible start to the season against Fremantle. The win in Sydney followed by a close loss to a powerful Geelong outfit would give the group that confidence that they can compete, and on occasion defeat the top teams. The draw does start to open up a bit for the Pies now but they can’t look any further than Friday night and will hope that several players under injury clouds are passed fit to play. Those players in question are Nick Maxwell, Dayne Beams and Sam Dwyer, although recent updates have provided positives news for the former two players there. Injuries have obviously been a problem for Collingwood so far in 2014, with several big names still a few weeks from returning. Not having two key position players in Reid and Brown hurt them last week against Geelong but it’s hard to see the Tigers exploiting that weakness with the same ruthlessness.

Unfortunately Taylor Adams won’t be available for selection this week after accepting a one match ban for a push on Joel Selwood late in the game last week, but there is good news out of the VFL for once. All of Josh Thomas, Ben Kennedy, Jarrod Witts and Quinten Lynch got through their match against the AIS academy on Friday night in great form and will be considered for senior selection against Richmond. Thomas would be a perfect replacement for Adams while Kennedy is a future star who is just starting to figure out what it takes to play at the top level.

The Pies will believe they can defeat Richmond and recent form and history between the two suggests that confidence is not out of place.

 

OPPOSITION ANALYSIS;

After finally returning to finals football last season, all be it for one week, Richmond would have come into the 2014 season thinking that the only way was up. Yet after just three rounds against mediocre opposition it looks far from up at the moment. This is a big game for the Tigers, a game that could put their season on the right track, although to turn it around that quickly they’ll have to improve in a number of areas. Some have questioned whether there’s the hunger within the playing group or whether the playing list has enough depth, but on paper the Tigers of 2014 still seem like a talented outfit.

When fully fit the Richmond backline is actually a stronger unit that most give it credit for, but unfortunately for them this week Alex Rance, the star of that backline won’t play yet again. Brett Deledio has also spent time down back and he seems unlikely to play also. In their place, and tasked with the responsibility of stopping Travis Cloke in his 200^th game, will be the likes of Astbury, Chaplin, Grimes, Valustin and Morris. Even without Rance and Deledio that backline still has enough talent to restrict a Magpies forward line that hasn’t fired so far in 2014.

Trent Cotchin leads from the front for the Tigers.

The Richmond midfield has the star names such as Martin, Cotchin and Jackson and it really is an effective machine. Even this season where the rest of the side has struggled, the Tigers midfield is ranked in the top 8 for contested possessions and clearances, showing it can win the hard ball. Of course this week they run into their biggest test of the season to date, as the Pies midfield is stacked full of stars, although the absence of the suspended Taylor Adams will help Richmond a bit. The ruck is an interesting area in this game with Maric and Hampson still in doubt, leaving Vickery, Stephenson and Griffiths as the choices for the ruck duties against the best young ruckman in the league, Brodie Grundy. As always if either side can get a distinct advantage in the middle it will go a long way to winning them the game.

The Richmond forward line is dangerous, there’s no other way to put it. Led by talisman Jack Riewoldt, an emotional beast who can turn the game on a dime, or blow it for you, and ably assisted by the improving Tyrone Vickery and Ben Griffiths. What the Tigers may lack is a dangerous small forward although their midfielders provide enough support to cover for this disparity. The Collingwood backline has been decimated by injuries so far this season, and it surely has to be one area of the ground that Richmond will look to exploit and gain an advantage in.

Richmond will go into this game buoyed with their second half performance against the Bulldogs, fully knowing that if they can repeat that level of intensity and performance that they are in this game up to their eyeballs. Despite missing a few key players the Tigers really should be going close to winning this game especially with the personnel that Collingwood is missing. It’s as important of a game as Richmond has had so far in this short season, and you would expect they will come out fired up.

 

TEAMS;

Collingwood
B: Alan Toovey, Lachlan Keeffe, Nick Maxwell
HB: Heritier Lumumba, Jack Frost, Alex Fasolo
C: Steele Sidebottom, Scott Pendlebury, Clinton Young
HF: Brent Macaffer, Travis Cloke, Jarryd Blair
F: Jamie Elliott, Jesse White, Tyson Goldsack
Foll: Brodie Grundy, Dane Swan, Dayne Beams
Int: Luke Ball, Jarrod Witts, Josh Thomas, Tom Langdon
Emg: Ben Kennedy, Marty Clarke, Quinten Lynch

IN: Josh Thomas, Jarrod Witts
OUT: Sam Dwyer (knee), Taylor Adams (suspended)

 

Richmond

B:  Chaplin, Astbury, Grimes
HB:  Houli, Vlastuin, Morris
C:  Grigg, Jackson, Conca
HF:  Martin, Griffiths, Lloyd
F:  S. Edwards, Riewoldt, Vickery
R:  Hampson, Thomas, Cotchin
IC:  Ellis, Newman, Arnot, Gordon
Em:  McDonough, Stephenson, Foley

In:  Hampson, Lloyd, Arnot
Out:  Petterd (inj – groin), King, Stephenson

 

TIP;

With both teams effected by injuries and suspension it seems as if this game is a tough one to tip a result in. But if you look at the exposed form from the first three games and the opposition that both have faced, Collingwood’s 1-2 win/loss record stacks up better than Richmond’s. Ultimately that should be the difference in this game, the Magpies ability to perform at a higher level for longer should ensure they come away with their 7^th win in a row over the Tigers.

 

PIES BY 16 POINTS.

 

Congratulations Travis Cloke on 200 games.

This Friday night Travis Cloke will play his 200^th game for Collingwood. It’s quite fitting that he gets to play this milestone game against Richmond, the other club his father played for.

 

VFL

This weekend the Collingwood VFL side plays it’s second game of the regular season. The opponent for this round 2 clash is Port Melbourne at North Port Oval, game time is Saturday 2pm.

 

AFL Round 3 – Collingwood vs Geelong Match Preview.

 

Collingwood vs Geelong, MCG, Saturday night, this is huge. After 2 rather indifferent rounds to start the 2014 AFL premiership season these two great clubs will meet in a crucial matchup this weekend. If recent clashes are anything to go by this should be one hell of a battle too. The only time they met last year the Pies won a classic by only 6 points, in what was one of the games of the year. In fact the Magpies have won all 3 of the regular season fixtures since the 2011 Grand Final where Geelong won it’s 3^rd flag in just 5 seasons, defeating Collingwood on that day. Of course, apart from that season decider there’s also been 3 recent preliminary final clashes, with the Cats holding a 2-1 advantage in those 3 games. The most famous of those games was the 2007 preliminary final when the underdog Magpies almost shocked the AFL world but just fell short.

Whenever these sides meet you are guaranteed of a high quality game between two proud and strong football teams.                                                                                                                                                                                                     

PREVIOUS FORM

.Geelong has taken care of business as expected in the first two weeks, defeating the Crows at home and then last week overcoming the Lions in humid and wet conditions in Brisbane. Both wins weren’t stunning by any means but at no time did you really feel like they were in any danger either, as they went about disposing of their opposition in a typical Geelong like manner. The usual suspects have led the way for the Cats with Selwood, Johnson, Mackie and Bartel all in the best players in the first two games. What would have impressed coach Chris Scott though is the return to form of Varcoe and Caddy, who both had injury interrupted seasons last year but have performed very well in the first two rounds. The Cats haven’t changed too much since last year, but their youngsters are continuing to improve and their experienced stars are still performing, so they are a top four contender once again.

The Cats won last week in Brisbane

Collingwood copped a heap of negative pressure from fans and the media after their round one collapse against the Dockers, and rightfully so, and were always going to be closely watched to see how they bounced back against the Swans in round 2. The Magpies started poorly though, trailing the Swans by four goals early in the second quarter, which left the biggest club in Australia on the precipice of a disastrous 0-2 start to the season. But up stepped the new captain, Scott Pendlebury, and the old one, Nick Maxwell to lead the Pies out of oblivion and towards another stunning win on their favourite home away from home, the Olympic Stadium in Sydney. Other great contributors on the night included Dayne Beams, Jamie Elliott, Brent Macaffer and young ruckman Brodie Grundy. The most impressive Pies player of the night was Jack Frost though, who in just his fourth game managed to restrict Sydney’s gun recruit, Lance Franklin, to just two goals. It was a win the Magpies badly needed, and one that they can now use as a standard to perform by from now on.

COLLINGWOOD PREVIEW

After a stunning come from behind win like the Magpies just had, you’d think everything would be looking up at the most famous club in Australia, but yet again injuries have reared their ugly head. The most prominent of course was Nathan Brown’s shoulder injury, which at one stage looked like keeping him out for most of this season, but the prognosis isn’t that bad with 4-5 weeks the reported length of his absence. His injury was a blow to an already depleted Pies defense and then came the news that just about the only remaining fit small defender, Ben Sinclair, had suffered a hamstring injury and would miss the next 2-3 weeks as well. It doesn’t leave too many defensive options for coach Nathan Buckley with Lachie Keeffe the obvious replacement for Brown, but not much after that. Alex Fasolo has been trialled down back in the few VFL hitouts he’s had over the past few weeks, but he impressed more as a forward in the round 1 win for the VFL side. Of course there’s Goldsack or Lumumba who can play a defensive role but that robs the Magpies of the option of using them in more attacking positions. It’s a headache indeed.

The positives are that within that side that won in the VFL on Saturday there were several senior players who will be available for selection over the coming weeks. Fasolo impressed, as did Ben Kennedy, Kyle Martin, Peter Yagmoor and Josh Thomas, although the latter probably needs one more run under his belt before returning to the seniors. There are options for the Pies coaching staff, just not of a defensive nature, which is the biggest concern at the moment.

OPPOSITION ANALYSIS.

It seems that over the past few seasons, every time the so called experts do their pre season ladder predictions, Geelong is a side that is tipped to slide due to an aging list. Yet every season the Cats prove them wrong, continuing to not only make the top 8 but going oh so close to making another grand final, as they did last year. This season the Cats have already continued their well trodden plan of blooding young players before most believe they’d be ready, and so far it has worked. It helps when you have some of the absolute stars of the competition around I guess, but the Cats have been able to stabilise and continually improve their list while other clubs have fallen away. Despite going into this game with several key players out injured or suspended Geelong will still field a very strong 22 with very few weaknesses.

Geelong’s backline for years has been a strong defensive unit that could stand up against any set of forwards, and this current line up isn’t much different. Led by multiple All Australian Harry Taylor who is ably assisted by Tom Lonergan and now Jarryd Rivers, the Cats defensive talls have enough talent to cover any key positions forwards. Then you add names like Kelly, Mackie and Varcoe and you get an understanding of just how strong this area of the ground is for Geelong. In the past Taylor and Lonergan have been able to restrict the output of Travis Cloke, although they will have the added task of covering Jesse White this year. It’s just a pity Ben Reid isn’t playing because then we would have seen some very interesting match up choices indeed.

Joel Selwood leads the way in the Cats midfield.

The Cats midfield is as strong as any in the competition, although there was a question over their ruck ability in the past few seasons. Thankfully for them, Hamish McIntosh is finally fit after missing all of last year and he will be their number one ruck for the foreseeable future, with support from youngster Dawson Simpson. Of course the midfielders of the Cats are led by the ever dominant club captain Joel Selwood, who is next to unstoppable really, all you can do is hope to restrict his output on the day. This midfield group isn’t as strong or as deep as it used to be, but with Johnson, Varcoe, Stokes, Guthrie and Caddy included in the group it’s still very strong. It may not possess as many big names as the Pies star studded midfield, so it will be interesting to see how they go on Saturday night at the stoppages.

The Cats forward line has undergone several changes in the past few seasons but Tom Hawkins has always remained as the main focus inside 50. This season Mitch Brown, after several years toiling in the VFL, seems to have been given the chance to snatch the second tall spot and has impressed so far in 2014. Of course with the likes of Johnson, Bartel, Stokes, Duncan and Murdoch all rotating through the forward zone too it makes for a very strong and effective forward set up. The Cats managed 18 goals in their first game and even got close to breaking the 100 point barrier in the rain against the Lions, so there’s little doubt about their ability to put the score on the board. That goes double when you look at who won’t be playing in the Pies defense, with Reid, Brown, Williams, Sinclair and Seedsman all unavailable this weekend. It’s the are of the ground the Cats should dominate, if they can get it in their often enough of course.

While their recent record against the Magpies isn’t that good, the Cats will go into this game very confident of a win after two impressive performances to start the season. This is their first real test of the year though, so it’s still a little bit unknown as to how well they are going, and the absence of Hunt and Enright might really make this a close game. To win the Cats will have to at least break even in the midfield, as they should have the more efficient forward line on the night. Odds are it will be another tight battle between two tight teams so the 6 day break after playing the Lions may come into it late on.

TEAMS.

Collingwood
B: Heritier Lumumba, Jack Frost, Nick Maxwell
HB: Alan Toovey, Lachlan Keeffe, Tom Langdon
C: Alex Fasolo, Dane Swan, Clinton Young
HF: Scott Pendlebury, Jesse White, Brent Macaffer
F: Jamie Elliott, Travis Cloke, Sam Dwyer
Foll: Brodie Grundy, Luke Ball, Dayne Beams
Int: Tyson Goldsack, Jarryd Blair, Taylor Adams, Steele Sidebottom
Emg: Ben Kennedy, Marty Clarke, Jarrod Witts

IN: Alex Fasolo, Lachlan Keeffe
OUT: Nathan Brown (shoulder), Ben Sinclair (hamstring)

Cats side:
B: Rivers, Taylor, Guthrie
HB: Mackie, Lonergan, Enright
C: Kelly, Caddy, Duncan
HF: Stokes, Brown, McCarthy
F: Varcoe, Hawkins, Johnson
R: McIntosh, Bartel, Selwood
IC: Burbury, Blicavs, Horlin-Smith, Murdoch
EMG: Bews, Sheringham, Simpson

TIP.

Although Collingwood have won all 3 regular season matchups since that 2011 Grand Final loss, the Cats are by no means an easy team to beat. It may be a case of the Pies matching up well against Geelong, or even just meeting them at the right team of the season. This may be one of those cases too, as the Cats are 2-0, and won’t be absolutely desperate to notch another win this weekend. The Pies however will see it as an opportunity to get their season fully back on track after that terrible start.

The selections for both teams are fairly predictable, with very little that either side can bring in that would massively effect the result. The loss of Brown and Sinclair for the Pies is somewhat cancelled out by the loss of Enright and Hunt for the Cats and that should ensure a very close game. The 6 day break may be the determining factor here, especially given it was also hot and humid in Brisbane last Sunday. So because of that, I’m tipping Collingwood to go to a 2-1 record with a come from behind win over the Cats in front of a big crowd.

PIES BY 9 POINTS.