At selection
Collingwood v Adelaide
Etihad Fox Footy 4.30pm Weather: Min 10 Max 19 Chance of rain 30%: < 1mm Wind: S 22kph Betting: Collingwood $2.60 Adelaide $1.50 |
Sidebottom’s outstanding game against the Lions ended on a sour note when he broke his thumb in the final quarter.
The injury is a blow for the Magpies, for Sidebottom played 19 games and ran second in the Copeland Trophy last season.
Despite the setback, the replacements are queuing up to take Sidebottom’s spot in the midfield.
Sam Dwyer, Paul Seedsman and Tim Broomhead were all amongst the best players list in the VFL practice match against Casey on Saturday, while Nathan Freeman and AFL emergency Ben Kennedy were also impressive.
“We believe in our midfield depth, and the players that we can run through there are actually a strong point, and that will be tested,” Nathan Buckley told the media on Tuesday.
“We'll be looking to introduce fresh legs through there, whether that be forwards who play more midfield time or whether we bring some young players into the mix that have been thereabouts in the VFL.”
Across the border, it will be tough for the Adelaide coaching panel to find negatives from the team’s 77-point win over North Melbourne.
Even away from the Adelaide Oval, the Crows were firing.
Midfielder Scott Thompson had 23 possessions in three quarters against West Adelaide while Matt Crouch dominated 34 disposals and a goal.
Both will be hoping to replace Luke Brown if the defender fails to overcome the corked thigh he sustained against North Melbourne.
Breaking out
A new season gives opportunities for players desperate to prove themselves after a long, gruelling pre-season.
Twenty-one-year-old Taylor Adams is in his fourth year of football and second at Collingwood.
Against Brisbane, Adams showed signs that suggested this could be his best season yet. He collected a career-high 31 disposals, including 13 kicks, 18 handballs and eight clearances.
Many have raised Adams’ name as a replacement for the retired Luke Ball in 2015, and he more than proved his worth in the NAB Challenge, averaging 27.5 disposals in two outings.
With this form and Sidebottom on the sidelines, Adams’ numbers could remain in the 30s for some time to come.
Who takes Tex?
The public image of Adelaide spearhead Taylor Walker is improving in leaps and bounds this year. He’s leading the team, has kicked a bag of goals and is also finding time to comfort nervous children before the game.
The Collingwood defence will be under the pump on Saturday afternoon and will need to band together to keep Walker quiet.
The fitness of Nathan Brown is a great place to start. Brown and Jack Frost have only played alongside each other in the Black and White on six occasions.
Both have played on Walker in the past and have done an impressive job. The 24-year-old has only kicked six goals in his five games against Collingwood.
We meet again, Phil
In round one, 1983, a flashy wingman from Hamilton in rural Victoria debuted for the Collingwood Football Club.
Fast-forward 32 years and this man is the coach of the Adelaide Crows.
Phillip Walsh started his VFL career at Victoria Park and enjoyed an exceptional debut season in 1983, when he played all 22 games and was awarded the Harry Collier Trophy as the club’s Best First Year Player.
The 1983 season was Walsh’s first and only season in the Black and White. He has since worn a number of other colours – first as a player for Richmond and the Brisbane Bears, and then as an assistant coach at Geelong, Port Adelaide and West Coast.
Whether there will be time for Walsh to feel sentiment for his old side on Saturday remains unsure, but keen observers will cast their mind back fondly to the Walsh that ran out for the Pies 32 years ago.
Home away from home
It may not be the fortress that is the MCG, but Collingwood is more than capable of making itself at home at Etihad Stadium.
The Magpies have won 12 of their last 15 games at the venue, with an eight-point loss to the Western Bulldogs last year a rare blemish.
The last time Collingwood met Adelaide at Etihad Stadium was a success for the Magpies who ran out 43-point victors.
Andrew Krakouer and Sharrod Wellingham kicked three goals each in the 2011 clash, while Dale Thomas collected three votes for a 24-disposal game.
Overall record (since 1991)
Collingwood v Adelaide
Played: 38
Won: 25
Lost: 13
Drawn: 0
Highest score
Collingwood 23.22 (160) def. Adelaide 5.7 (37) in round 15, 1991.
Lowest score
Collingwood 5.9 (39) def. by Adelaide 6.12 (48) in round 21, 1997.
Largest crowd
88,960 in the 2002 Preliminary Final at the MCG.
Smallest crowd
24,663 in round 6, 1997, at Victoria Park.
Did you know?
Adelaide supporters won’t remember Tony Francis fondly.
The South Australian won a career-high 40 disposals in Collingwood’s first meeting with Adelaide in round 15, 1991. The Magpies left Victoria Park 123 points to the good.
This winning margin has never been surpassed by either of the two teams, with the next closest a 110-point Adelaide victory in round 21, 2005.
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