Western Bulldogs v Collingwood
Etihad Stadium – Friday 4th May – 7:50PM
Friday the 13th seems but a forgotten memory for Collingwood, who after two consecutive wins come up against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium Friday May 4th.
After an 8 day break since their thrilling ANZAC day win over the Bombers, Collingwood will welcome back star players Heath Shaw and Ben Reid in to their squad to further strengthen the foundations.
The Bulldogs fresh after two consecutive wins have named both Daniel Giansiracusa and Ryan Hargrave back in to the side to help boost their hopes of winning.
Both teams would be disappointed with their respective season to date, and Friday night presents an opportunity to turn their season around.
The Western Bulldogs have not beaten Collingwood since 2009 and will need a lot to go right for that to change.
Though the Dogs have won their last two games, they have been rather unimpressive wins against winless teams Melbourne and GWS and would be hoping for an improved performance.
Collingwood have also won two consecutive games and will feel confident on making it thee against the Bulldogs..
Key Matchups
Matthew Boyd v Dane Swan
Football fans around the country will be hoping these two ball magnets go head to head. Swan was pivotal in Collingwood’s ANZAC day triumph and will again be crucial to the Magpie cause. Boyd has been a bit down on his usual performances but no doubt he could well and truly control the midfield tonight.
Travis Cloke v Brian Lake
It might come down to the Bulldog veteran Brian Lake to take the star CHF Travis Cloke on Friday night. If so, Lake will needs to be at his best to curtail Collingwood most important player. If Lake loses this, the Bulldogs will struggle to stay close.
Prediction: Collingwood by 34
Collingwood:
B: Harry O’Brien, Ben Reid, Nathan Brown
HB: Simon Buckley, Nick Maxwell, Tyson Goldsack
C: Dane Swan, Sharrod Wellingham, Ben Johnson
HF: Heath Shaw, Chris Dawes, Ben Sinclair
F: Dayne Beams, Travis Cloke, Alex Fasolo
Foll: Darren Jolly, Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom
I/C: Alan Toovey, Marty Clarke, Lachlan Keeffe, Kirk Ugle
Emerg: Cameron Wood, Paul Seedsman, Jackson Paine
In: Heath Shaw, Ben Reid
Out: Jarryd Blair (leg), Paul Seedsman
Western Bulldogs:
B: Easton Wood, Brian Lake, Dylan Addison
HB: Ryan Hargrave, Mark Austin, Robert Murphy
C: Luke Dahlhaus, Matthew Boyd, Daniel Cross
HF: Adam Cooney, Liam Jones, Patrick Veszpremi
F: Justin Sherman, Jordan Roughead, Nathan Djerrkura
Foll: Will Minson, Ryan Griffen, Liam Picken
I/C: Daniel Giansiracusa, Shaun Higgins, Mitchell Wallis, Tom Liberatore
Emerg: Clay Smith, Michael Talia, Tory Dickson
IN: Daniel Giansiracusa, Ryan Hargrave
OUT: Jarrad Grant (Hip), Ayce Cordy (Back)
