Preview Round 5: Collingwood v North Melbourne

AFL
 

Collingwood v North Melbourne Saturday April 19, 1.40pm MCG Fox Footy 1.30pm Weather: Min 11 Max 17 Chance of rain 40%: 1-5mm Wind: W 21kph Betting: Collingwood 1.85 North Melbourne 1.95

BOTH teams are chock full of confidence after impressive wins last week. The Magpies ran all over a hapless Richmond, while the Kangaroos are on a hot streak and improving by the week, having taken down the Sydney Swans. Collingwood's midfield was as dominant as ever and North faces a tough task deciding who to try to put the clamps on - Scott Pendlebury, Dayne Beams or Dane Swan? With Andrew Swallow still a few weeks away from a return, more reliance will be placed on young Roos onballers Ben Cunnington and Ryan Bastinac.

LAST FIVE TIMES

1. R23, 2013, North Melbourne 19.11 (125) d Collingwood 17.12 (114) at the MCG
2. R1, 2013, Collingwood15.13 (103) d North Melbourne 13.9 (87) at Etihad Stadium
3. R21, 2012, North Melbourne 13.13 (91) d Collingwood 8.13 (61) at Etihad Stadium
4. R16, 2011, Collingwood 22.15 (147) d North Melbourne 3.12 (30) at the MCG
5. R2, 2011, Collingwood 21.17 (143) d North Melbourne 7.14 (56) at Etihad Stadium
   

THE SIX POINTS

• After round four, 2013, the Kangaroos averaged 103 points per game but were sitting with a win loss record 1-3. In 2014, their average score per game is just 82 points but they are a much healthier 3-1.
• This will be the 156th clash between the sides and Collingwood holds a clear historical advantage, winning 103 games to 50, with two draws.
• Not in Collingwood’s favour is its disposal efficiency this year, ranked 17th in the competition at just 66.4 per cent. North Melbourne is sixth, travelling at 72 per cent a game.
• North Melbourne has struggled to mark inside 50 in 2014,  ranked equal second last averaging just 7.5 per game, while Collingwood is equal fifth with 12 per game.
• The Kangaroos dominated the stats in their high-scoring round 23 win over the Magpies last year with more disposals, marks, tackles, hit-outs and inside 50s.
• Brent Harvey remains North Melbourne's highest ranked player (No. 6) in the Official AFL Player Ratings, while Ben Cunnington is making his move and comes in at No. 70. Dane Swan has fallen outside the top 10, although his score of 23.9 last week showed a turnaround in form.

Prediction: North Melbourne by eight points