Preview Round 22: Collingwood v Gold Coast

AFL

SUMMARY

Round 22 COLLINGWOOD v GOLD COAST Time, Place, TV: Saturday August 20, 7:25pm Etihad Stadium Fox Sports 7:00pm Weather: Min 6 Max 14 Chance of rain 70%: 1-5mm Wind: WNW 26kph Betting: Collingwood $1.32 Gold Coast $3.41

Either way, a hoodoo will be broken, with neither club winning at Etihad Stadium since 2014. This will be the first clash between the clubs at Etihad Stadium, and just their second encounter in Melbourne, the first resulting in a 97-point win to the Pies at the MCG in 2012. Both clubs have been ravaged by injury this year and, consequently, have performed well below expectations. Both are also planning to finish the season strongly to take some momentum into the pre-season and build a platform for an intended rise next year. Despite the odd aberration, such as Gold Coast's shock loss to bottom side Essendon last round, they have played better in the second half of the year, but Collingwood's greater consistency should give the home side the edge.

LAST FIVE TIMES

1. R8, 2015, Collingwood 20.12 (132) d Gold Coast 9.9 (63) at Metricon Stadium
2. R16, 2014, Gold Coast 11.14 (80) d Collingwood 10.15 (75) at Metricon Stadium
3. R17, 2013, Gold Coast 13.7 (85) d Collingwood 11.12 (78) at Metricon Stadium
4. R10, 2012, Collingwood 23.11 (149) d Gold Coast 7.10 (52) at the MCG
5. R18, 2011, Collingwood 19.15 (129) d Gold Coast 11.9 (75) at Metricon Stadium

THE SIX POINTS

1. The last time they met, the Pies won easily with Dane Swan (36 disposals), Scott Pendlebury (35), Steele Sidebottom (32) and Jamie Elliott (five goals) starring. The Magpies dominated the inside 50s (58-44) and scoring shots (32-18).
2. Neither club has enjoyed playing at Etihad Stadium recently – Collingwood has lost its past six there, while Gold Coast has lost its past four and has won only twice there in its history.
3. Both sides have struggled to finish games this season – Gold Coast is ranked 17th for last quarters won with five, while Collingwood is equal-14th with six.
4. Little separates the sides in terms of scoring this season, with the Magpies 12th with an average of 84 points a game and the Suns 13th with 83 points.
5. Collingwood and Gold Coast meet for the sixth time with the ledger being 3-2 in the Pies' favour. The Suns' two wins have both been by single-figure margins. 
6. Brodie Grundy's star continues to rise, with the young Magpies ruckman jumping to a career-high ranking of No.119 in the Schick AFL Player Ratings. He started the season at No.257.

IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …Nathan Buckley.
The Pies coach has had quite a few big weeks this year, and this looms as another one. After just failing in a gallant loss to the Western Bulldogs, his boys simply must get the points against Gold Coast. Particularly after the Suns' disastrous performance against Essendon at the same venue.

PREDICTION: Collingwood by 19 points.