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- Jul 15, 2014
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It’s a Friday night MCG blockbuster at the MCG, and this match promises to be a beauty. It’s a matchup that not many were expecting, with the Magpies only falling into the top four after the Eagles capitulated against the hungry Hawks.
Both sides are coming to this game off a win. Geelong flexed their muscle against a checked out Blues side, while the Magpies had to see off a plucky Bombers side.
The last time these two sides met was back in round one. In a match where both teams were clearly rusty, the Cats came away with the points. Dangerfield was electric for the Cats, while Elliott was very good in his first game for quite a while.
Collingwood
Somehow, the Magpies have stumbled into the top four. Six weeks ago, the top four looked like a lost cause for the Magpies, who were so out of form that they looked like they could miss the finals altogether. However, week by week they were able to work their way into some form, and now they appear to be a dangerous side in September. The Magpies welcome back some crucial players into the side, with De Goey, Sidebottom, and Stepheson included after spending time on the sidelines with injury or suspension.
How the Magpies can win
Midway through the season, that trademark run and carry that the Magpies were so good at had evaporated. However, in the past month, the midfield has begun to take the game on, and the results have been very positive.
The Magpies also need to win that contested possession count. The Cats rely on a contested game, and if the Magpies are able to run a clean possession game, they will have a great shot at winning this matchup.
Players to watch
Jaidyn Stephenson is a player to watch for the Magpies. Stephenson has not played for over 10 weeks, after he was suspended for gambling on Collingwood games. The young jet has been sorely missed in Collingwood’s forward line, and he’ll be keen to shake off some of the rust, and kick a few early goals to settle the nerves.
Taylor Adams is also one to watch for the Magpies. Adams missed the Magpies last outing against the Cats, and the result of the midfield battle well and truly showed. The Magpies missed that inside work that Adams is known for, and he well and truly could be the difference in this massive final.
Geelong
Halfway through the season, it was all rainbows and happiness for the Cats. However, the mid-season bye hit, and all that momentum that Cats had disappeared. Since the bye, the Cats have not won consecutive games, much to the frustration of Geelong supporters. While at times they’ve shown flashes of brilliance, the Cats have been consistently mediocre, losing to sides like the Dockers, and the Hawks. The bye won’t be doing the Cats any favors, with the side having a less than desirable post-bye record. The Cats will be without Cam Guthrie, who is out with calf soreness, but aside from that, they have a pretty clean injury sheet.
How the Cats can win
The Cats need to continue to apply that pressure that they have been known for all season. Midway through the season, the Cats were by far the best pressure side stats wise, but in recent weeks, that pressure has dropped off a touch. Although they are still ranked the best pressure side in the competition, if their pressure is off even slightly, they can be hurt. The Cats are also one of the best teams in the competition at scoring of the turnovers. Currently, the Cats average 53 points per game off intercept marks. If they are able to force turnovers, they will win this game. Casting a thought back to the first round clash between both sides, Geelong’s pressure was top notch, and the result went their way.
It’s imperative that the Cats are able to win the contested possession as well. Geelong are 16-0 when they win the contested possession count, and are yet to win a game when they lose the contested possession count.
Players to watch
Tom Hawkins is one to watch for the Cats. The big forward has been a cause for concern for Nathan Buckley, who’ll be wary of his ability to break the game open. The tall forwards for the Bombers really were a lot of trouble for the Magpies in round 23, and if Hawkins can get on top, it’s danger signs for Collingwood.
Tom Stewart is also one to watch for the Cats. While the star backman doesn’t have that lightning pace, he makes up for it as he is one of the best kicks in the competition coming out of the backline. Collingwood need to shut him down, or else he will play a role in nullifying the Collingwood forward line.
Head to Head odds
Collingwood: $2.10
Cats: $1.72
Changes
Cats
IN
Jake Kolodjashnij
Tom Atkins
OUT
Cameron Guthrie (Injured)
Lachie Henderson (Omitted)
Collingwood
IN
Jaidyn Stephenson
Jordan De Goey
Steele Sidebottom
OUT
Jack Madgen (Omitted)
Matthew Scharenberg (Omitted)
Travis Varcoe (Omitted)
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
Congratulations Scott Pendlebury – 300 games
Pendlebury joins only Gordon Coventry and Tony Shaw as the only Magpies to play 300 games for the club. Coming to the club as a skinny 18 year old, Pendlebury quickly established himself as one of the staples in the best 22 for the team. His list of accomplishments speaks for itself, and he will almost certainly be in the top five Collingwood players when his career is all said and done.
Tip
This is as close to a “pick-em” matchup as you can get. Both sides have their strengths and weaknesses, and will both come to play on Friday night. Expect a close match.
Magpies by 1.
Both sides are coming to this game off a win. Geelong flexed their muscle against a checked out Blues side, while the Magpies had to see off a plucky Bombers side.
The last time these two sides met was back in round one. In a match where both teams were clearly rusty, the Cats came away with the points. Dangerfield was electric for the Cats, while Elliott was very good in his first game for quite a while.
Collingwood
Somehow, the Magpies have stumbled into the top four. Six weeks ago, the top four looked like a lost cause for the Magpies, who were so out of form that they looked like they could miss the finals altogether. However, week by week they were able to work their way into some form, and now they appear to be a dangerous side in September. The Magpies welcome back some crucial players into the side, with De Goey, Sidebottom, and Stepheson included after spending time on the sidelines with injury or suspension.
How the Magpies can win
Midway through the season, that trademark run and carry that the Magpies were so good at had evaporated. However, in the past month, the midfield has begun to take the game on, and the results have been very positive.
The Magpies also need to win that contested possession count. The Cats rely on a contested game, and if the Magpies are able to run a clean possession game, they will have a great shot at winning this matchup.
Players to watch
Jaidyn Stephenson is a player to watch for the Magpies. Stephenson has not played for over 10 weeks, after he was suspended for gambling on Collingwood games. The young jet has been sorely missed in Collingwood’s forward line, and he’ll be keen to shake off some of the rust, and kick a few early goals to settle the nerves.
Taylor Adams is also one to watch for the Magpies. Adams missed the Magpies last outing against the Cats, and the result of the midfield battle well and truly showed. The Magpies missed that inside work that Adams is known for, and he well and truly could be the difference in this massive final.
Geelong
Halfway through the season, it was all rainbows and happiness for the Cats. However, the mid-season bye hit, and all that momentum that Cats had disappeared. Since the bye, the Cats have not won consecutive games, much to the frustration of Geelong supporters. While at times they’ve shown flashes of brilliance, the Cats have been consistently mediocre, losing to sides like the Dockers, and the Hawks. The bye won’t be doing the Cats any favors, with the side having a less than desirable post-bye record. The Cats will be without Cam Guthrie, who is out with calf soreness, but aside from that, they have a pretty clean injury sheet.
How the Cats can win
The Cats need to continue to apply that pressure that they have been known for all season. Midway through the season, the Cats were by far the best pressure side stats wise, but in recent weeks, that pressure has dropped off a touch. Although they are still ranked the best pressure side in the competition, if their pressure is off even slightly, they can be hurt. The Cats are also one of the best teams in the competition at scoring of the turnovers. Currently, the Cats average 53 points per game off intercept marks. If they are able to force turnovers, they will win this game. Casting a thought back to the first round clash between both sides, Geelong’s pressure was top notch, and the result went their way.
It’s imperative that the Cats are able to win the contested possession as well. Geelong are 16-0 when they win the contested possession count, and are yet to win a game when they lose the contested possession count.
Players to watch
Tom Hawkins is one to watch for the Cats. The big forward has been a cause for concern for Nathan Buckley, who’ll be wary of his ability to break the game open. The tall forwards for the Bombers really were a lot of trouble for the Magpies in round 23, and if Hawkins can get on top, it’s danger signs for Collingwood.
Tom Stewart is also one to watch for the Cats. While the star backman doesn’t have that lightning pace, he makes up for it as he is one of the best kicks in the competition coming out of the backline. Collingwood need to shut him down, or else he will play a role in nullifying the Collingwood forward line.
Head to Head odds
Collingwood: $2.10
Cats: $1.72
Changes
Cats
IN
Jake Kolodjashnij
Tom Atkins
OUT
Cameron Guthrie (Injured)
Lachie Henderson (Omitted)
Collingwood
IN
Jaidyn Stephenson
Jordan De Goey
Steele Sidebottom
OUT
Jack Madgen (Omitted)
Matthew Scharenberg (Omitted)
Travis Varcoe (Omitted)
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
Congratulations Scott Pendlebury – 300 games
Pendlebury joins only Gordon Coventry and Tony Shaw as the only Magpies to play 300 games for the club. Coming to the club as a skinny 18 year old, Pendlebury quickly established himself as one of the staples in the best 22 for the team. His list of accomplishments speaks for itself, and he will almost certainly be in the top five Collingwood players when his career is all said and done.
Tip
This is as close to a “pick-em” matchup as you can get. Both sides have their strengths and weaknesses, and will both come to play on Friday night. Expect a close match.
Magpies by 1.
