Preview Round 3: Collingwood v Geelong

AFL
 

Collingwood v Geelong Saturday April 5, 7.40pm MCG Fox Footy / 7mate 7.30pm Weather: Min 14 Max 20 Chance of rain 70%: 1-5mm Wind: SSE 22kph Betting: Collingwood $2.30 Geelong $1.63

The Magpies recorded a gutsy bounce back win over the Sydney Swans, while the Cats are flying at 2-0. Both teams have some injury concerns heading into the blockbuster clash, with Collingwood defender Nathan Brown ruled out with a serious shoulder injury. Star Cat Corey Enright is also under a cloud, after he hurt his ankle in his team's win over the Brisbane Lions. Brown's injury, and Ben Reid's lingering calf complaint, leaves the Magpies thin in defence, meaning Lachie Keeffe could earn a call up. That means young defender Jack Frost and Keeffe will be forced to contend with Cats power forward Tom Hawkins, who has given the Pies some problems in past meetings.

LAST FIVE TIMES

• R8, 2013, Collingwood 15.12 (102) d Geelong 14.12 (96) at the MCG
• R16, 2012, Collingwood 17.8 (110) d Geelong 10.19 (79) at the MCG R8, 2012
• Collingwood 14.12 (96) d Geelong 11.18 (84) at the MCG GF, 2011
• Geelong 18.11 (119) d Collingwood 12.9 (81) at the MCG R24, 2011
• Geelong 22.17 (149) d Collingwood 8.5 (53) at the MCG

THE SIX POINTS

1. The Cats are ranked second this season for inside 50s with 57.5 a game, while the Magpies are 12th in the competition with 48.5 a game.
2. Geelong has not beaten Collingwood since the 2011 Grand Final, with the Magpies winning the past three contests between the sides.
3. Both teams have struggled from clearances so far in 2014. Collingwood is ranked 13th in the League with 37.5 a game, while Geelong is marginally better, placed in 11th with 38 a game.
4. No team has laid more tackles in 2014 than Geelong, who is averaging 86.5 a game. Collingwood is ranked fifth with 74 per game.
5. When these teams met in 2013, the Magpies had more disposals, more marks, more tackles and more inside 50s, yet only won by a single kick.
6. Collingwood has three players – Scott Pendlebury (No.4), Dane Swan (No.9) and Dayne Beams (No.16) – ranked inside the top 20 of the Official AFL Player Ratings, brought to you by Gatorade. Joel Selwood (No.3) is Geelong's sole representative.

Prediction: Geelong by nine points