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- Jul 15, 2014
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It’s a little bit of an unexpected, but it’s a welcome blockbuster matchup in this Semi Final. Both teams are coming off the back of grueling matches in a brilliant first week of the finals. Both these teams have a habit of meeting in the finals, with some of the most iconic and best matches being played when these two teams meet.
The last time these two sides met was back in round seven. In what was a somewhat controversial match, the Magpies were too good for the Cats, producing a wire to wire performance, and giving them what was their best win for the season, up until their Elimination Final win. Jordan De Goey was outstanding for the Magpies, kicking five goals, while Dangerfield was his usual electric self.
Collingwood
Well who would’ve thought that? Going over to Perth, the dirty Magpies team was given little to no chance by anyone in the AFL world against a terrifying West Coast team. However, despite the odds, they rallied to pull off perhaps their most stunning finals win in recent memory, with the exception of the 2018 Preliminary Final. The Magpies got off to a flyer, with Cox kicking three goals in a few minutes of game time in the first quarter. The most admirable thing about the game was the fact that the Magpies were repeatedly tested. At many moments in the game the Eagles looked like kicked into gear, and threatened to pull away. However, to the Magpies’ credit, they didn’t roll over, and would always find their reply.
Perhaps the most interesting moment from the game was Buckley’s choice to use Cameron as the main ruckman, with Grundy being moved to the secondary position. It’s a move that has divided Magpie fans, but it arguably came off as a positive for the Magpies, with Cameron able to somewhat dull the impact of Naitanui. His solid performance has allowed him to keep his spot, in a move that has worried some Magpie supporters, who feel the Magpies are coming in too tall.
Where the Magpies can win
When the Magpies were on fire against the Eagles last week, they excelled in one key area: their dare. The Magpies had the confidence to take the game on, and it worked for them. Taking the necessary risks, but not going overboard is what got them deep in the finals in 2018 and 2019, and they’ll need to continue with that if they are to win.
One key to the Power winning against this week was forcing Hawkins to lead out wide, making him take awkward set shots, contributing to their loss. Forcing Geelong to go wide is key here.
Player to watch
It’s a big week for Levi Greenwood this week. In what many thought might be a season that he’d struggle to get a game, Greenwood has put up some fantastic performances with perhaps his best coming last week against West Coast. Given the mammoth task of nullifying Tim Kelly, Greenwood was outstanding. He’ll most likely be tasked with stopping Dangerfield or Selwood, and if he can stop either, Collingwood have a chance.
Geelong
It has to be frustrating for Geelong fans… Year in and year out they play quality football in the regular season, only to start to falter in the big moments in the finals. The Cats had their chances against Port, but wayward kicking and some ill informed choices cost them dearly. While Port played unbelievably well, Cats fans can’t help but feeling like they missed a golden opportunity, a narrative that they’ve experienced in many seasons prior. If there is any hope for Geelong fans, is that in recent history, after a poor Qualifying Final result, they’ve always managed to bounce back in emphatic fashion. This was shown last season against the Eagles. West Coast were coming into the game in flying form, but were trounced by the classy Cats.
Throughout the week, the Cats were sweating on Selwood, who hurt his finger, but luckily for the Cats, he has managed to pull through, and will suit up for Geelong.
How the Cats can win
Collingwood opted to go into last week’s game with a tall lineup, which naturally worked well against a West Coast team which favors the aerial game. Therefore, Geelong need to work on their ground game, and make sure the ball goes to ground as often as possible. Forcing stoppages was nearly Collingwood’s undoing against the Eagles, and if Geelong can work on that, they’ll win.
Player to watch
Tom Hawkins is the man to watch for the Cats this week. The superstar forward has come under a bit of scrutiny this week after an abysmal kicking performance. At multiple stages in the game last week, Geelong made a charge, but had their momentum squashed with Hawkins missing set shots. He needs to lift this week.
Head to Head odds
Collingwood: $2.25
Geelong: $1.65
Changes
Collingwood
No Change
Geelong
IN
Sam Simpson
OUT
Tom Atkins (Omitted)
TV
Live on Fox Footy, Commercial Free
Live on Channel Seven
Radio
Triple M
3AW
ABC
SEN
IPTV
AFL Live Pass
Foxtel Now
WatchAFL
Kayo Sports
Tip
This is tough to tip. Normally, knowing Geelong’s ability to rebound off of a loss would be enough to tip them, but Collingwood usually rise to the occasion against them. This is going to be close.
Magpies by 3 points.
The last time these two sides met was back in round seven. In what was a somewhat controversial match, the Magpies were too good for the Cats, producing a wire to wire performance, and giving them what was their best win for the season, up until their Elimination Final win. Jordan De Goey was outstanding for the Magpies, kicking five goals, while Dangerfield was his usual electric self.
Collingwood
Well who would’ve thought that? Going over to Perth, the dirty Magpies team was given little to no chance by anyone in the AFL world against a terrifying West Coast team. However, despite the odds, they rallied to pull off perhaps their most stunning finals win in recent memory, with the exception of the 2018 Preliminary Final. The Magpies got off to a flyer, with Cox kicking three goals in a few minutes of game time in the first quarter. The most admirable thing about the game was the fact that the Magpies were repeatedly tested. At many moments in the game the Eagles looked like kicked into gear, and threatened to pull away. However, to the Magpies’ credit, they didn’t roll over, and would always find their reply.
Perhaps the most interesting moment from the game was Buckley’s choice to use Cameron as the main ruckman, with Grundy being moved to the secondary position. It’s a move that has divided Magpie fans, but it arguably came off as a positive for the Magpies, with Cameron able to somewhat dull the impact of Naitanui. His solid performance has allowed him to keep his spot, in a move that has worried some Magpie supporters, who feel the Magpies are coming in too tall.
Where the Magpies can win
When the Magpies were on fire against the Eagles last week, they excelled in one key area: their dare. The Magpies had the confidence to take the game on, and it worked for them. Taking the necessary risks, but not going overboard is what got them deep in the finals in 2018 and 2019, and they’ll need to continue with that if they are to win.
One key to the Power winning against this week was forcing Hawkins to lead out wide, making him take awkward set shots, contributing to their loss. Forcing Geelong to go wide is key here.
Player to watch
It’s a big week for Levi Greenwood this week. In what many thought might be a season that he’d struggle to get a game, Greenwood has put up some fantastic performances with perhaps his best coming last week against West Coast. Given the mammoth task of nullifying Tim Kelly, Greenwood was outstanding. He’ll most likely be tasked with stopping Dangerfield or Selwood, and if he can stop either, Collingwood have a chance.
Geelong
It has to be frustrating for Geelong fans… Year in and year out they play quality football in the regular season, only to start to falter in the big moments in the finals. The Cats had their chances against Port, but wayward kicking and some ill informed choices cost them dearly. While Port played unbelievably well, Cats fans can’t help but feeling like they missed a golden opportunity, a narrative that they’ve experienced in many seasons prior. If there is any hope for Geelong fans, is that in recent history, after a poor Qualifying Final result, they’ve always managed to bounce back in emphatic fashion. This was shown last season against the Eagles. West Coast were coming into the game in flying form, but were trounced by the classy Cats.
Throughout the week, the Cats were sweating on Selwood, who hurt his finger, but luckily for the Cats, he has managed to pull through, and will suit up for Geelong.
How the Cats can win
Collingwood opted to go into last week’s game with a tall lineup, which naturally worked well against a West Coast team which favors the aerial game. Therefore, Geelong need to work on their ground game, and make sure the ball goes to ground as often as possible. Forcing stoppages was nearly Collingwood’s undoing against the Eagles, and if Geelong can work on that, they’ll win.
Player to watch
Tom Hawkins is the man to watch for the Cats this week. The superstar forward has come under a bit of scrutiny this week after an abysmal kicking performance. At multiple stages in the game last week, Geelong made a charge, but had their momentum squashed with Hawkins missing set shots. He needs to lift this week.
Head to Head odds
Collingwood: $2.25
Geelong: $1.65
Changes
Collingwood
No Change
Geelong
IN
Sam Simpson
OUT
Tom Atkins (Omitted)
TV
Live on Fox Footy, Commercial Free
Live on Channel Seven
Radio
Triple M
3AW
ABC
SEN
IPTV
AFL Live Pass
Foxtel Now
WatchAFL
Kayo Sports
Tip
This is tough to tip. Normally, knowing Geelong’s ability to rebound off of a loss would be enough to tip them, but Collingwood usually rise to the occasion against them. This is going to be close.
Magpies by 3 points.
