Preview Round 13: Collingwood v Western Bulldogs

AFL

Collingwood v Western Bulldogs Sunday June 15, 3.20pm Etihad Fox Footy / 7mate 3.00pm Weather: Min 9 Max 16 Chance of rain 60%: 1-5mm Wind: SSW 22kph Betting: Collingwood $1.10 Western Bulldogs $7.00

COLLINGWOOD and the Western Bulldogs have gone in different directions since a series of tremendous battles late last decade. The Magpies have managed to stay in premiership contention since the 2011 Grand Final without really threatening, while the Bulldogs have gone into a rebuilding phase. Having said that this game should be tight, as Collingwood have been travelling OK without being brilliant while the Western Bulldogs have been having significant costly lapses. Ryan Griffen will need to lift to match Collingwood's class and Jordan Roughead has a big task quelling Travis Cloke. Collingwood is working well enough as a team to win, but the game should be tighter than most think.

LAST FIVE TIMES

• R12, 2013, Collingwood 15.9 (99) d Western Bulldogs 9.11 (65) at Etihad Stadium
• R6, 2012, Collingwood 15.8 (98) d Western Bulldogs 11.11 (77) at Etihad Stadium
• R6, 2011, Collingwood 15.15 (105) d Western Bulldogs 8.9 (57) at MCG
• 1QF, 2010, Collingwood 17.22 (124) d Western Bulldogs 8.14 (62) at MCG
• R11, 2010, Collingwood 17.11 (113) d Western Bulldogs 16.7 (103) at Etihad Stadium

THE SIX POINTS

1. The Magpies have dominated the Bulldogs recently, winning the past six encounters between the two teams.
2. Collingwood has been inaccurate in 2014, kicking 136.150 to be the least accurate team in the competition. Only one other team has kicked more behinds than goals.
3. This will be the 150th meeting between the sides and Collingwood has dominated winning 106 games to 42 with one draw.
4. The Bulldogs have won 18 quarters this season but in five games they have lost a quarter by 24 points or more.  They have won six final quarters this season.
5. Jamie Elliott leads Collingwood's goalkicking table with 24, well ahead of Travis Cloke (17) and Dayne Beams (16).
6. Scott Pendlebury has scored the second most Official AFL Player Ratings in 2014 with 224.9 points in 11 games. Only Gold Coast's Gary Ablett has scored more this season.

Prediction: Collingwood by 10 points.