Preview Round 23: Collingwood v Hawthorn

AFL

SUMMARY

Round 23 COLLINGWOOD v HAWTHORN Time, Place, TV: Sunday August 28, 3:20pm MCG 7mate / Fox Sports 3:00pm Weather: Min 8 Max 18 Chance of rain 40%: <1mm Wind: NNW 24kph Betting: Collingwood $4.95 Hawthorn $1.18

Noses to the grindstone this week for the Hawks, as they need to win to ensure a top-four finish. They'll be happy to be back at the MCG after a nightmare trip to Perth, although their home ground advantage is negated when you consider that Collingwood plays there more than any club. History favours the Hawks, who have won eight straight over the Pies by an average of more than six goals. But the Magpies have been better over the last month and will back the likes of Scott Pendlebury and Adam Treloar to win enough footy through the midfield to cause the Hawks some problems.  Not enough to win the game necessarily, but to cause the three-time premiers some anxious moments.

LAST FIVE TIMES

1. R14, 2015, Hawthorn 15.11 (101) d Collingwood 12.19 (91) at the MCG
2. R23, 2014, Hawthorn 18.13 (121) d Collingwood 8.8 (56) at the MCG
3. R14, 2014, Hawthorn 17.13 (115) d Collingwood 13.8 (86) at the MCG
4. R21, 2013, Hawthorn 18.11 (119) d Collingwood 12.12 (84) at the MCG
5. R3, 2013, Hawthorn 22.13 (145) d Collingwood 13.12 (90) at the MCG

THE SIX POINTS

1. Cyril Rioli was the difference between the sides the last time they played, kicking five goals even though Scott Pendlebury collected the three Brownlow votes with 37 disposals and 10 tackles.
2. Both sides have struggled in clearances in 2016; Hawthorn is ranked 10th with 36.5 per game while Collingwood is equal 14th at 34.2 per game.
3. This season has been one of the lowest scoring seasons in a long time for Collingwood. Leading goal-kicker is the injured Alex Fasolo with only 25. If it stays at 25 it will be the lowest tally at Collingwood since 1954.
4. The teams have played 30 times at the MCG with 19 wins to 11. Collingwood has struggled at the MCG in 2016 winning six and losing seven.
5. The Magpies have been a strong handballing side in 2016, ranked fifth averaging 176.3 per game, compared to the Hawks in equal 14th at 158.8 handballs per game.
6. Hawthorn's Isaac Smith will be the better-ranked Smith in this game according to the official Schick AFL Player Ratings. He comes in at No.199 compared to Magpie Josh who is No.466.

IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …Travis Cloke.
This could well be Cloke's farewell game for the Pies after 245 games and 439 goals, so the hope is that he goes out with a bang.

PREDICTION: Hawthorn by 10 points