Preview Round 7: Collingwood v Carlton

AFL

Collingwood v Carlton Friday May 2, 7.50pm MCG Fox Footy / 7mate 7.30pm Weather: Min 11 Max 15 Chance of rain 90%: 10-20mm Wind: WSW 20kph Betting: Collingwood $1.23 Carlton $4.20

THE TRADITIONAL rivals enter this Friday night battle full of confidence after impressive come-from-behind victories last round. The Magpies midfield was instrumental in the big comeback in the Anzac Day clash against the Bombers, with Brownlow medallist Dane Swan back to his best with 26 disposals and four goals. Adding spice to this contest will be former Magpie favourite son Dale Thomas in his first appearance against his old team. Thomas and his coach Mick Malthouse will be keen to halt the Pies' rise up the ladder, but Swan, skipper Scott Pendlebury and in-form midfielders Steele Sidebottom and Dayne Beams should prove too creative for the depleted Blues' midfield.

LAST FIVE MEETINGS

1. R15, 2013, Collingwood 17.16 (118) d Carlton 12.5 (77) at the MCG
2. R2, 2013, Collingwood 17.15 (117) d Carlton 15.10 (100) at the MCG
3. R15, 2012, Carlton 12.13 (85) d Collingwood 8.14 (62) at the MCG
4. R3, 2012, Carlton 18.14 (122) d Collingwood 9.8 (62) at the MCG
5. R17, 2011, Collingwood 13.20 (98) d Carlton 11.13 (79) at the MCG
   

THE SIX POINTS

1. A weakness for Collingwood this season has been its accuracy in front of goals. The Magpies are ranked 17th at 43.4 per cent and the Blues are 13th at 45.5 per cent.
2. Carlton's biggest victory over the Magpies is a 111-point thrashing in round 18, 2000, at Princes Park. Collingwood's greatest win over the Blues is 108 points in round 18, 2002, at the MCG.
3. The Blues are the fourth-best team this season for clearances, averaging 41.7 a game, while Collingwood ranks 16th at 35.3 a game.
4. In Collingwood's comfortable win over Carlton in round 15 last season, the Pies dominated the statistics with more disposals, marks, tackles, hit-outs, scoring shots and inside 50s.
5. Carlton is last for handballs this season with 851. Collingwood is 16th with 870.
6. The two captains are the leading point scorers for their clubs in the Official AFL Player Ratings this season – Scott Pendlebury (128.6) and Marc Murphy (95.5).

Prediction: Collingwood by 17 points