Preview Round 6: Collingwood v West Coast

AFL

SUMMARY

Round 6 COLLINGWOOD v WEST COAST Sunday May 1, 4:40pm Subiaco Fox Footy 4:30pm Weather: Min 10 Max 21 Chance of rain 40%: < 1mm Wind: WSW 19kph Betting: Collingwood $6.50 West Coast $1.11

The Magpies got their season back on track with a thumping win over Essendon but the Eagles at Domain Stadium will be a far truer measure of their form. The Eagles are having trouble on the road against the best sides but their home form continues to be exemplary. The battle begins in the midfield. The Magpies sliced open an inexperienced Essendon outfit, but the combination of Nic Naitanui, Matt Priddis, Luke Shuey and Andrew Gaff presents a completely different challenge. The Eagles' forwards were off last week and they will be keen for a big showing at home. Josh Kennedy has kicked just six goals since bagging eight in round one and he would be keen to impress against the Magpies' defence.

LAST FIVE TIMES

1. R16, 2015, West Coast Eagles 11.21 (87) d Collingwood 7.14 (56) at Etihad Stadium
2. R20, 2014, West Coast Eagles 19.12 (126) d Collingwood 10.6 (66) at Domain Stadium
3. R10, 2014, Collingwood 17.7 (109) d West Coast Eagles 15.11 (101) at the MCG
4. R22, 2013, Collingwood 15.11 (101) d West Coast Eagles 5.9 (39) at the MCG
5. 1SF, 2012, Collingwood 10.13 (73) d West Coast Eagles 9.6 (60) at the MCG

THE SIX POINTS

1. The Eagles win over the Magpies in 2015 could have been bigger. They had 32 scoring shots to 21 and dominated the inside 50s, 61-41. Andrew Gaff had 34 disposals in the 31-point win.
   
2. West Coast has been strong for marking the ball inside 50 so far in 2016, averaging 15 per game. Collingwood has struggled, ranked equal 16th in the AFL with 10 per game.
   
3. The Eagles are the number one rucking team so far in 2016, averaging 52.6 hit-outs per game. Nic Naitanui is ranked second for total hit-outs. Collingwood is ranked 17th for hit-outs per game.
   
4. West Coast has dominated Collingwood at Domain Stadium. The Eagles have registered 11 wins from 15 matches including seven by 50 points or more.
   
5. On Anzac Day, the Magpies' final score of 22.10 (142) was their highest score against any opposition since late 2012. By contrast, the Eagles' score of 7.7 (49) in round five was their lowest since early 2014.
   
6. Collingwood has three midfielders ranked in the top 100 of the Schick AFL Player Ratings; Scott Pendlebury (5), Adam Treloar (28) and Steele Sidebottom (42). The Eagles only have Matt Priddis (14) and Luke Shuey (22). Their reigning best and fairest, Andrew Gaff, is ranked 102nd.
   

IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Mason Cox.

The American made a splash in his debut on Anzac Day. But this week's test against Nic Naitanui is a whole new ball game.

PREDICTION: West Coast by 30 points