mattys123
Hall of Famer
- Mar 24, 2008
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2011 AFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON
FRIDAY APRIL 8TH
M.C.G.
7.50PM
TV/Radio;
http://www.afl.com.au/Fixture/Broad...fault.aspx#locd=VIC - Melbourne&round=Round 3
Weather;
FORECAST; http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/forecasts/melbourne.shtml
RADAR; http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR023.loop.shtml#skip
Teams;
Preview (Dave86);
http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/newsfeatures/news/newsarticle/tabid/5586/newsid/110978/default.aspx
Official Matchday Programme; (PDF format)
http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/portals/0/magpies_docs/MatchProgram_rnd3.pdf
THE RIVALRY;
Just some links to useful information about the true source of the rivalry between these 2 clubs.
http://www.blueseum.org/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=83
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlton–Collingwood_AFL_rivalry
My Thoughts;
So finally it's here, the night where Collingwood fans get to officially salute the 2010 AFL Champions, and of all opponents, the AFL give us Carlton, the biggest and most traditional rival we have.
The game itself will be like most Pies vs Blues clashes, fierce, unrelenting and with a large and noisy crowd behind it, making it the first “real blockbuster” of 2011.
Carlton have started the season well, although just like Collingwood, haven't had to raise a sweat against two bottom four sides in Richmond and the woeful Suns, although the Tigers did a little more damage to the blues that most remember. The Pies, with two similar games against sides with no chance of making the finals, have looked 'brutal' at times and at other times looked like they are just 'going through the motions'.
So to the game itself, and their will be a ton of talent on show at the MCG under the Friday night lights, with the defending champs and their bevy of All Australians and 'under rated' contributors playing a side that has had as many low (or high) draft picks as any other team in the competition.
Many say the midfield battle may decide the match, but I don't see that as being the case, neither side will be completely dominant in the contested possession stakes, it is the pressure both forward lines place on the backs of their opponents when they have the ball that may be the difference here, and that's where the Pies excel.
Expect the game to be a smashmouth affair early on, with plenty of close in contests, and a heap of physical contests, both on and off the ball. But once the game settles, Collingwood's midfield and all around depth should be the deciding factor, just like it is most weeks.
Plenty of so called experts still under rate the likes of Toovey, Blair, Wellingham (below), Reid, Ball and Krakouer, but they are as good of a '2nd tiered' players as exists in the AFL today, and that will ultimately be the difference.
Two Matchups I want to see;
WELLINGHAM VS JUDD;
Some may say Ben Johnson should go to Judd, but Wellingham has restricted Carlton's best player in the past, and can also hurt him going the other way, where as we actually need BJ down back this week against the Carlton small forwards.
KRAKOUER VS YARRAN;
If there's still one concern I have over Krakouer and his ability to maintain his place in the best 22 at Collingwood, it's the defensive side of his game, and playing on a player who is “stoppable” like Yarran (as the Tigers showed in round 1) might be the perfect matchup for Krak to show us, and the club what he can do when given a forward defensive role.
Player Focus;
NICK MAXWELL
The Premiership Captain returns, after over a month out after the big hit he suffered in Perth in the NAB Cup semi, and he will be rearing to go. We need him down back, he just gives out such great assistance to all our backline players, and of course is the “general” down back, directing traffic, something that Heath Shaw needs a few lessons on (if anyone has seen Heath 'going off', you know what I mean).
It's pure coincidence that he returns for the flag unfurling match, but it is a nice little extra, as the picture taken in todays' Herald Sun (see below) shows our 4 living premiership captains all together, and having Maxwell out their playing tomorrow night is significant in so many ways.
Nick lifted his personal game to another level last season, culminating in the 'personal achievement' of being nominated then selected in the All Australian team, an honour that is astounding given that he was rejected so often as a youngster, and even constantly criticised by some of the Pies faithful in his first few seasons with the club.
Nick personifies this team, he has come from nowhere (like most), he was never supposed to be a star, and has always been under rated by those supposedly in the know, yet he has developed into the best backline assistance player in the AFL bar none.
I will be just glad to see the great number five Black and White jumper running around again, that number holds so much history at our club, and it's fitting that finally it held up a premiership cup after so long.
Tip;
Back to the game, and I just can't see Carlton winning. I actually see their 'easy' draw as a positive for Collingwood, as Carlton simply won't know what has hit them, and by the time they adjust, it may well be too late. When this Collingwood team is 'on', it produces an intense, all around four quarter effort, especially against better opposition, and I can see the side taking another step forward, and improving again on their output from the first 2 games. The “ins” for the Pies should make a large difference also, as they are 2 absolutely quality All Australian players, as Carlton bring in a Richmond reject and a solid defender.
Collingwood will run away with this game late, and the result won't be much different to the 8 and 9 goal defeats the Pies handed Carlton last season.
PIES BY 42
FLAG UNFURLING
Hardly needs a mention, but from 7pm on tomorrow night, the unfurling of the 2010 AFL Premiership flag will take place at the MCG before the big game. If you can possibly be there, BE THERE.
VFL
After a great first up win, the Collingwood VFL boys venture out to Princes Park for a match against Carlton's VFL aligned side, the Northen Bullants.
http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_...ask=DETAIL&articleID=15365395§ionID=60264
BLACK AND WHITE SHOW.
For anyone who hasn't seen in it, Michael Christian and Paul Licuiria did their first episode of what they hope will be a weekly “Collingwood centred” show, it's well worth a look.
http://www.youtube.com/CollingwoodCTV#p/u/0/J8A5VNHQRIM
ENJOY THE GAME.
