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- Jul 15, 2014
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A Grand Final place awaits one of these sides, and we’re set up for what should be a thrilling contest. Both teams have had a rocky path to this stage, but are coming into the game with some very good form. The Magpies won their last outing, beating a Geelong side in a Titanic contest. The Giants are also coming off a tough tussle, beating a gallant Lions side.
Last time they met
It has felt like a lifetime since these two sides met, with the two sides taking two very different and unexpected paths through their season. The Giants blew the Magpies away in the first quarter, with Buckley’s decision to play Appleby against Finlayson proved to be very costly. While the Magpies managed to quell the relentless Giants forward push, they were unable to generate any scoring power from their own offensive game. Taranto and Cameron were outstanding for the Giants, while Grundy was one of the few shining lights for the Magpies.
Collingwood
It wasn’t pretty, but the Magpies fell over the line against a very game Geelong outfit, earning themselves a week off in the process. Halfway through the second quarter, it seemed like a throwback to the 2010 preliminary final, with the Magpies running all over the Cats. However, the Cats showed their class, forcing the Magpies to play on the defensive for pretty much the whole fourth quarter. Jeremy Howe, Grundy, and Adams starred for the Magpies, while Elliott and Stephenson were very dangerous up forward.
While the win was good for the Magpies, it came at a hefty price, with Greenwood suffering an ACL injury, while Jordan De Goey is in doubt for the remainder of the season.
Where the Magpies can win the game
The Magpies has proven to be one of the best defenses in the competition over the past few weeks. The backline needs to continue to hold down the fort. If Howe and Moore are not only able to beat their opponents, but also play that intercept game, it will shutdown the tall Giants forward line.
The Magpies played their best football against the Cats when they played that free running game, while also taking the game on as often as they could. If Collingwood have that dare and run, they will very likely win the game.
Players to watch
Ben Reid is one of the players to watch this week. After suffering yet another soft tissue injury midway through the season, it seemed as if the veteran had played his final AFL game. However, due to various injuries within the team, Reid has found himself back in the team. Reid could very well be the difference in this game, and not only will he need to avoid any injuries, but he’ll need to repay the faith Nathan Buckley has placed in him.
Darcy Moore will also be one to watch for the Magpies. Last time the Magpies played against the Giants, they were clearly undersized against a very tall Giants forward line, and it cost them dearly. Many are picking Moore to be the missing link within the side, which can stop the Giants talls from dominating.
GWS
It’s been a funny old year for the Giants. At times the Giants have looked like the team to beat, but at times have also looked like they don’t belong in the top eight. This was apparent in the final rounds of the season, with the Giants struggling to hit the scoreboard, and being humbled by inferior sides. However, to Leon Cameron’s credit, he has managed to lift his team, and is now in with a chance for their inaugural Grand Final berth.
Despite a gutsy win, the Giants suffered some key casualties, with Greene and Whitfield to miss the match. Due to these outs, the Giants have opted to go for a taller side, with Hill and Keeffe to come in. The move to bring Keeffe in could go two ways for the Giants, it could be a masterstroke or an absolute disaster, and with rain predicted, it’s a huge gamble.
To add to their extensive injury list, the Giant’s record at the MCG leaves much to be desired. The Giants have lost 14 of their past 17 matches at the MCG. It’s clear that the Giants long marking game doesn’t suit the dimensions of the MCG, and this could cost them their season.
How the Giants can win
Over the past few weeks, the Giants have been known for their rough style of play. And while this has come under some scrutiny from the media, it has also proven to be very effective in putting teams off their game. The Giants will looking to be able to inflict some physicality on the Magpies, while also playing within the rules.
Another area in which the Giants have been very good in is their intercept marking. Last week against the Lions, the GWS backline did a stellar job forcing turnovers off Brisbane Inside-50’s, which carried them to a win. However
Players to watch
Phil Davis will be one to watch for GWS. With the whole team clearly gassed in that last quarter, Davis stood up for the Giants, intercepting a huge amount of long kicks from the Brisbane midfield. If Davis wasn’t playing, the Giants would likely have lost that game. If Davis is switched on once again, he could prove pivotal in this matchup.
Another player to watch is Grant Daniels. With the Giants opting to go for a tall forward line, Daniels is pretty much the only small forward on the team. With rain predicted for this match, a huge amount of responsibility will be placed on Daniels to generate opportunities in the Giants forward line, as the talls will struggle.
Matchup to Watch
Grundy v Mumford
The two big ruckman will go head to head for most of the game. Last week, Mumford was clearly outclassed against Stefan Martin, and it nearly cost the Giants the game. Mumford was far too ineffective in the stoppage ruck battles, and gave away numerous free kicks out of frustration. If Grundy is allowed to have as much authority as Martin had last week, it could be curtains for GWS.
Head to Head odds
Collingwood: $1.30
GWS: $3.60
Changes
GWS
IN
Ian Hill
Lachlan Keeffe
OUT
Lachie Whitfield (Injured)
Toby Greene (Suspension)
Collingwood
IN
Ben Reid
James Aish
OUT
Jordan De Goey (Injured)
Levi Greenwood (Injured)
TV
Live on Channel Seven, National
Live on Fox Footy, Commercial Free
Radio
Triple M
3AW
ABC
SEN
IPTV
AFL Live Pass
Foxtel Now
WatchAFL
Kayo Sports
Tip
While GWS are coming off an envigorating win on the road, they looked absolutely spent, and to add to this, they have two major withdrawals from the team.
Magpies by 22.
Last time they met
It has felt like a lifetime since these two sides met, with the two sides taking two very different and unexpected paths through their season. The Giants blew the Magpies away in the first quarter, with Buckley’s decision to play Appleby against Finlayson proved to be very costly. While the Magpies managed to quell the relentless Giants forward push, they were unable to generate any scoring power from their own offensive game. Taranto and Cameron were outstanding for the Giants, while Grundy was one of the few shining lights for the Magpies.
Collingwood
It wasn’t pretty, but the Magpies fell over the line against a very game Geelong outfit, earning themselves a week off in the process. Halfway through the second quarter, it seemed like a throwback to the 2010 preliminary final, with the Magpies running all over the Cats. However, the Cats showed their class, forcing the Magpies to play on the defensive for pretty much the whole fourth quarter. Jeremy Howe, Grundy, and Adams starred for the Magpies, while Elliott and Stephenson were very dangerous up forward.
While the win was good for the Magpies, it came at a hefty price, with Greenwood suffering an ACL injury, while Jordan De Goey is in doubt for the remainder of the season.
Where the Magpies can win the game
The Magpies has proven to be one of the best defenses in the competition over the past few weeks. The backline needs to continue to hold down the fort. If Howe and Moore are not only able to beat their opponents, but also play that intercept game, it will shutdown the tall Giants forward line.
The Magpies played their best football against the Cats when they played that free running game, while also taking the game on as often as they could. If Collingwood have that dare and run, they will very likely win the game.
Players to watch
Ben Reid is one of the players to watch this week. After suffering yet another soft tissue injury midway through the season, it seemed as if the veteran had played his final AFL game. However, due to various injuries within the team, Reid has found himself back in the team. Reid could very well be the difference in this game, and not only will he need to avoid any injuries, but he’ll need to repay the faith Nathan Buckley has placed in him.
Darcy Moore will also be one to watch for the Magpies. Last time the Magpies played against the Giants, they were clearly undersized against a very tall Giants forward line, and it cost them dearly. Many are picking Moore to be the missing link within the side, which can stop the Giants talls from dominating.
GWS
It’s been a funny old year for the Giants. At times the Giants have looked like the team to beat, but at times have also looked like they don’t belong in the top eight. This was apparent in the final rounds of the season, with the Giants struggling to hit the scoreboard, and being humbled by inferior sides. However, to Leon Cameron’s credit, he has managed to lift his team, and is now in with a chance for their inaugural Grand Final berth.
Despite a gutsy win, the Giants suffered some key casualties, with Greene and Whitfield to miss the match. Due to these outs, the Giants have opted to go for a taller side, with Hill and Keeffe to come in. The move to bring Keeffe in could go two ways for the Giants, it could be a masterstroke or an absolute disaster, and with rain predicted, it’s a huge gamble.
To add to their extensive injury list, the Giant’s record at the MCG leaves much to be desired. The Giants have lost 14 of their past 17 matches at the MCG. It’s clear that the Giants long marking game doesn’t suit the dimensions of the MCG, and this could cost them their season.
How the Giants can win
Over the past few weeks, the Giants have been known for their rough style of play. And while this has come under some scrutiny from the media, it has also proven to be very effective in putting teams off their game. The Giants will looking to be able to inflict some physicality on the Magpies, while also playing within the rules.
Another area in which the Giants have been very good in is their intercept marking. Last week against the Lions, the GWS backline did a stellar job forcing turnovers off Brisbane Inside-50’s, which carried them to a win. However
Players to watch
Phil Davis will be one to watch for GWS. With the whole team clearly gassed in that last quarter, Davis stood up for the Giants, intercepting a huge amount of long kicks from the Brisbane midfield. If Davis wasn’t playing, the Giants would likely have lost that game. If Davis is switched on once again, he could prove pivotal in this matchup.
Another player to watch is Grant Daniels. With the Giants opting to go for a tall forward line, Daniels is pretty much the only small forward on the team. With rain predicted for this match, a huge amount of responsibility will be placed on Daniels to generate opportunities in the Giants forward line, as the talls will struggle.
Matchup to Watch
Grundy v Mumford
The two big ruckman will go head to head for most of the game. Last week, Mumford was clearly outclassed against Stefan Martin, and it nearly cost the Giants the game. Mumford was far too ineffective in the stoppage ruck battles, and gave away numerous free kicks out of frustration. If Grundy is allowed to have as much authority as Martin had last week, it could be curtains for GWS.
Head to Head odds
Collingwood: $1.30
GWS: $3.60
Changes
GWS
IN
Ian Hill
Lachlan Keeffe
OUT
Lachie Whitfield (Injured)
Toby Greene (Suspension)
Collingwood
IN
Ben Reid
James Aish
OUT
Jordan De Goey (Injured)
Levi Greenwood (Injured)
TV
Live on Channel Seven, National
Live on Fox Footy, Commercial Free
Radio
Triple M
3AW
ABC
SEN
IPTV
AFL Live Pass
Foxtel Now
WatchAFL
Kayo Sports
Tip
While GWS are coming off an envigorating win on the road, they looked absolutely spent, and to add to this, they have two major withdrawals from the team.
Magpies by 22.
