Preview Round 18: Collingwood v North Melbourne

AFL

SUMMARY

Round 18 COLLINGWOOD v NORTH MELBOURNE Time, Place, TV: Friday July 22, 7:50pm Etihad 7mate / Fox Footy 7:30pm Weather: Min 13 Max 16 Chance of rain 70%: 1-5mm Wind: WNW 33kph Betting: Collingwood $2.40 North Melbourne $1.58

The first Friday night clash between these two clubs in more than seven years promises to be a no-holds-barred affair with both teams having much to prove. North Melbourne has suffered a stunning fall from grace, slipping from 9-0 and two games clear at the top of the ladder to battling to hold onto its spot in the eight after losing six of its past seven games, including the past five in succession. In contrast, the Pies have put together some good football on the road of late, trouncing Greater Western Sydney before challenging flag contender Adelaide for three quarters. The Pies are still a mathematical, though highly unlikely, chance to qualify for September and will fancy their chances of maintaining that sense of hope for at least another week.

LAST FIVE TIMES

1. R9, 2015, Collingwood 17.10 (112) d North Melbourne 14.11 (95) at the MCG
2. R5, 2014, Collingwood 13.15 (93) d North Melbourne 8.10 (58) at the MCG
3. R23, 2013, North Melbourne 19.11 (125) d Collingwood 17.12 (114) at the MCG
4. R1, 2013, Collingwood 15.13 (103) d North Melbourne 13.9 (87) at Etihad Stadium
5. R21, 2012, North Melbourne 13.13 (91) d Collingwood 8.13 (61) at Etihad Stadium
   

THE SIX POINTS

1. These teams last met way back in round nine, 2015, when Collingwood famously won by 17 points after trailing by 39 points at half-time. The Pies' matchwinners were Jamie Elliott (five goals) and Dane Swan (32 disposals and two goals), both of whom are now sidelined. 
2. Collingwood has won three of its past four games against North and six of eight since 2010.
3. The teams will clash for the 158th time, with the Magpies leading 105-50. There have also been two draws. 
4. In head-to-head contests at Etihad Stadium, the Pies also lead comfortably – 8-4, after winning three of their past four clashes there. 
5. This will be Collingwood's first game at Etihad Stadium this season and they've lost their past four matches there, while North is playing its 10th game at Docklands for 2016, winning its first six but losing the past three. 
6. Pies midfielder Jack Crisp has broken into the top 80 in the Official AFL Player Ratings, reaching a personal-best No. 79. The former Lion's ranking continues to rise after joining the Pies when ranked No. 530 at the end of 2014.

IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …Todd Goldstein.
The reigning All-Australian ruckman has come under increasing pressure to help the Roos regain the ascendancy in the middle. After being the AFL's best clearance team in the opening nine rounds, North has been 16th since. Goldstein was physically targeted by Port Adelaide last week and was beaten by part-time ruckman Jackson Trengove. Now he faces in-form Pies tyro Brodie Grundy, a fierce competitor who is growing in confidence by the week.

PREDICTION: Collingwood by 3 points.