Round 9 Preview: Collingwood v Sydney

AFL

SUMMARY

Collingwood v Sydney Friday, May 24 7.50pm MCG 7mate / Fox Footy 7.30pm Weather: Min 7 Max 17 Chance of rain 30%: <1mm Wind: WSW 19kph Betting: Collingwood $1.60 Sydney $2.35

With losses to Geelong, Hawthorn and a tie against the Dockers, the reigning premier needs a big scalp to ignite its title defence, while Collingwood wants to build on the momentum it gained with last week's win against the previously unbeaten Geelong. Both teams have played in bursts this year and are struggling to put four quarters of their best football together. Swans on-ballers Dan Hannebery, Jarrad McVeigh and Kieren Jack have been sensational but the team is struggling to mark inside 50. Collingwood's midfield is depleted but it is getting extra run through Harry O'Brien, Jamie Elliott and Sam Dwyer. Given the midfields will probably break even, the Magpies' Travis Cloke, not for the first time, shapes as the key figure in the game.

LAST FIVE TIMES
2nd prelim, 2012, Sydney Swans 13.18 (96) d Collingwood 10.10 (70) at ANZ Stadium
Rd 20, 2012, Collingwood 12.6 (78) d Sydney Swans 9.16 (70) at ANZ Stadium
Rd 14, 2011, Collingwood 13.21 (99) d Sydney Swans 14.9 (93) at ANZ Stadium
Rd 13, 2010, Collingwood 13.18 (96) d Sydney Swans 10.11 (71) at ANZStadium
Rd 21, 2009, Collingwood 13.19 (97) d Sydney Swans 8.8 (56) at the MCG

THE SIX POINTS
1. The Magpies have dominated the Swans recently, winning 11 of the last 12 contests. Before 2012, the Swans hadn't won since round 13, 2005.
2. The most recent game at the MCG between the two sides was in round 21, 2009. The Sydney Swans have not defeated the Magpies at the 'G since round 19, 2000
3. Since 1998, the Sydney Swans have played five Friday night games at the MCG for just one victory, the 2005 preliminary final against St Kilda.
4. Defensively Collingwood continues to struggle, conceding an average of 100 points per game; the Swans are conceding 84 per game.
5. The Sydney Swans rank first for hit-outs and clearances while Collingwood is ranked last for hit-outs and 15th for clearances.
6. No team has laid more tackles this season than the Sydney Swans. Collingwood is ranked 11th.