Preview Round 2: Collingwood v Sydney Swans

AFL

Collingwood v Swans Saturday March 29, 7.40pm ANZ Fox Footy / 7mate 7.30pm Weather: Min 20 Max 28 Chance of rain 60%: 1-5mm Wind: E 14kph Betting: Collingwood $2.75 Swans $1.45

TWO TEAMS that began the season with high hopes will try to avoid starting with consecutive losses when they meet at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night. Collingwood opened the year with a heavy defeat to Fremantle, while the Swans were overrun by an upstart Greater Western Sydney side in the biggest shock of round one. The Pies enjoy playing at ANZ Stadium, where they have prevailed in nine of the 12 clashes against the Swans, including a victory in round 20 last season. Former Swan Jesse White (calf) could make his Collingwood debut against his old side, while Swans co-captain Kieren Jack is expected to return after missing the GWS loss with a back problem. The ruck battle between Brodie Grundy and Mike Pyke will be key, while Swans duo Nick Smith (100 AFL games) and Josh Kennedy (100 club games) will celebrate milestones.

LAST FIVE TIMES

1. R20, 2013, Collingwood 14.16 (100) d Sydney Swans 10.11 (71) at ANZ Stadium
2. R9, 2013, Sydney Swans 15.12 (102) d Collingwood 8.7 (55) at the MCG
3. 2PF, 2012, Sydney Swans 13.18 (96) d Collingwood 10.10 (70) at ANZ Stadium
4. R20, 2012, Collingwood 12.6 (78) d Sydney Swans 9.16 (70) at ANZ Stadium
5. R14, 2011, Collingwood 13.21 (99) d Sydney Swans 14.9 (93) at ANZ Stadium
   

FIVE POINTS

1. Both sides claimed a victory in 2013, with Adam Goodes starring in the Swans' terrific 47-point triumph at the MCG. But the Pies bounced back strongly in round 20 at ANZ Stadium, led by Scott Pendlebury, Dane Swan and Dayne Beams.
2. Collingwood has dominated the Swans over the past decade, winning 11 of the last 13, including a run of 11 straight between 2006-2012.
3. Despite their disappointing effort against GWS, the Swans still had the third most contested possessions for any team in round one with 158. Collingwood was eighth with 145.
4. One area that may have pleased coach Nathan Buckley in round one was Collingwood's 83 tackles, the second most among all teams. The Swans were fourth with 76.
5. Both of these teams have two players ranked in the top 10 of the Official AFL Player Ratings. Kieren Jack (6th) and Josh Kennedy (8th) lead the way for the Swans, while Pendlebury (4th) and Swan (9th) are Collingwood's pacesetters. 

Prediction: Swans by 37 points