I was thinking the same thing, looks like you beat me to it. They have guys that can play the inside midfield and outside midfield roles, whereas most of ours are good inside mids, but don't have the speed, except young who is the opposite, only outside mid.
Yes, if collingwood's midfield are onsong, they could be devastating. Even when pendlebury was injured, they could cover him, beams was exceptional.
What makes our case even more difficult is that both savage and smith are not inform. Even if we say Mitchell/sewell have a great day out, they need outside runners to do the damage, whereas with collingwood someone like thomas/swan/beams win their own ball and spring away, no relying on someone else.
I think we will have rioli spend some time in the middle to get some clearance. I think roughead will be good too, he will use his big body to make way for our midfielders to clear the ball. He has speed, strength and actually has been a good clearance player. They will probably play burgoyne there at times as well. Agree, that is their strength, but it is not like we are the only ones against it, the rest of clubs will find it difficult.
I wonder whether someone like Ellis would make a difference, obviously needs to get his body right, but he would not be that far behind thomas, bring some class / speed (more than both sewell/mitchell).
If their fwds are in form, we are in trouble as well as don't have the size/height. Gibson is a great player, but he is giving away both size/height.
I think as people said small fwds of carlton caused collingwood some problems, so make shaw accountable and let bruest/poupolo do some damage.
Not to forget, need to play 4 qtrs.
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