Preview Round 15: Collingwood v Carlton

AFL

Collingwood v Carlton Sunday June 29, 7.10pm MCG 7mate / Fox Footy 7.00pm Weather: Min 9 Max 13 Chance of rain 80%: 1- 5mm Wind: WNW 32kph Betting: Collingwood $1.26 Carlton $4.00

COLLINGWOOD is on a two-game losing skid, so it will be keen to address its shortcomings against old foe Carlton on Sunday night. The Blues have now dropped four games on the trot and fell away badly in last week's loss to Greater Western Sydney. The Magpies will welcome back Steele Sidebottom from suspension, while Nick Maxwell and Tyson Goldsack are also chances to return. Fresh from signing a newly inked five-year deal, Bryce Gibbs again looms as a key player if the Blues are to cause an upset.

LAST FIVE TIMES

1. R7, 2014, Collingwood 14.20 (104) d Carlton 10.10 (70) at MCG
2. R15, 2013, Collingwood 17.16 (118) d Carlton 12.5 (77) at MCG
3. R2, 2013, Collingwood 17.15 (117) d Carlton 15.10 (100) at MCG
4. R15, 2012, Carlton 12.13 (85) d Collingwood 8.14 (62) at MCG
5. R3, 2012, Carlton 18.14 (122) d Collingwood 9.8 (62) at MCG

THE SIX POINTS

1. Collingwood’s big guns were the difference in the clubs' round seven clash. Dayne Beams kicked four goals, Dane Swan starred with 32 possessions and Scott Pendlebury had 26 touches.
2. Only the Brisbane Lions have had fewer disposals in 2014 than the Blues. Carlton averages 347.5 touches per game, compared to the to the 14th placed Magpies who average 357.5.
3. Carlton has received more free kicks (18.5 per game) than any other side. Collingwood is at the opposite end of the spectrum, ranked last in the competition, with just 14.7 per game.
4. No two teams have played more games against each other than Collingwood and Carlton. There have been 248 contests between the sides, with the Blues winning 125 to the Magpies' 119. There have also been four draws.
5. Both teams have struggled with conversion in 2014. Collingwood is ranked second-last in the competition at just a 47 per cent accuracy rate. The Blues haven't fared much better, listed at 15th with an accuracy rating of 47.4 per cent.
6. Marc Murphy is the Blues' top-ranked player (34th in the competition) in the Official AFL Player Ratings, brought to you by Gatorade. Scott Pendlebury is the Magpies' highest-rated (second in the AFL).
   

Prediction: Collingwood by 26 points.