Preview Round 20: Collingwood v West Coast

AFL

Collingwood v West Coast Sunday August 10, 4.40pm (EST) Patersons Fox Footy 4.30pm Weather: Min 10 Max 22 Chance of rain 40%: < 1mm Wind: E 14kph Betting: Collingwood $1.91 West Coast $1.91

WEST Coast and Collingwood have a storied rivalry and this promises to be another very entertaining chapter. The two sides played out one of the best matches of the season in round 10. The Magpies' midfield that night arrested control when the game was there to be won. But the Eagles had their chances, which has been the story of their season. Their performance to out-gun Adelaide showed what they are capable of. There are two keys to this game: Collingwood needs to find goals while the Eagles need to break even at the very least in the midfield.

LAST FIVE TIMES

1. R10, 2014, Collingwood 17.7 (109) d West Coast 15.11 (101) at MCG
2. R22, 2013, Collingwood 15.11 (101) d West Coast 5.9 (39) at MCG
3. 1SF, 2012, Collingwood 10.13 (73) d West Coast 9.6 (60) at MCG
4. R22, 2012, West Coast 15.17 (107) d Collingwood 8.10 (58) at Patersons Stadium
5. R13, 2012, Collingwood 12.13 (85) d West Coast 12.10 (82) at MCG

THE SIX POINTS

1. Collingwood's star midfield proved the difference in the win in round 10 at the MCG. Scott Pendlebury had 32 possessions, Dayne Beams 31, Steele Sidebottom 29 and Dane Swan 26.
2. Collingwood is ranked fourth for marks inside 50 with an average of 12.4. Travis Cloke is ranked fourth among players averaging 3.1 per game.
3. Collingwood has really struggled with its ball use in 2014. The Magpies are ranked fourth for the most clangers, averaging 45.8 per game. West Coast is ranked 13th at 42.7.
4. At Patersons Stadium the Eagles have dominated Collingwood with 10 wins to four, but the Magpies have won two of the last three.
5. Despite winning last week Collingwood continues to struggle to score. In the last month the Magpies average just 68 points.
6. Collingwood has four midfielders ranked inside the top 30 of the Official AFL Player Ratings, while West Coast has none. Scott Pendlebury (2), Steele Sidebottom (19), Dayne Beams (23), and Dane Swan (29) are all ranked ahead the Eagles' highest in Matt Priddis (35).

Prediction: West Coast by six points