Preview Round 8: Collingwood v Gold Coast

AFL

SUMMARY

Collingwood v Gold Coast Saturday May 23, 4.35pm Metricon Fox Footy 4:30pm Weather: Min 15 Max 22 Chance of rain 70%: < 1mm Wind: SSE 41kph Betting: Collingwood $1.35 Gold Coast $3.20

The corresponding match last season produced the greatest win in Gold Coast's short history, but they'll need a similarly Herculean effort to get the four points this time.
Last year they lost Gary Ablett to a dislocated shoulder and played the entire fourth quarter with no fit players on the bench, but clung on to win.
Currently the Suns are decimated by injuries and have travelled back from Perth after a shellacking at the hands of West Coast.
Collingwood has been promising in the opening seven rounds, but need to get back on track following a heartbreaking loss against Richmond on Sunday.
If they're serious about playing finals, the Magpies simply must win.

LAST FOUR TIMES

1. R16, 2014, Gold Coast 11.14 (80) d Collingwood 10.15 (75) at Metricon Stadium
2. R17, 2013, Gold Coast 13.7 (85) d Collingwood 11.12 (78) at Metricon Stadium
3. R10, 2012, Collingwood 23.11 (149) d Gold Coast 7.10 (52) at the MCG
4. R18, 2011, Collingwood 19.15 (129) d Gold Coast 11.9 (75) at Metricon Stadium

THE SIX POINTS

1. Despite winning by just five points last year, the Suns dominated the disposal count 378-332, thanks to 31 from Harley Bennell and 26 each to David Swallow, Danny Stanley and Jarrod Harbrow.
2. Both teams are strong in contested possessions in 2015; Collingwood is ranked first with 148.7 a game while the Suns are equal second at 144.7 a game.
3. The Magpies have been particularly adept this season at marking the ball inside 50, ranked second, averaging 15 a game. Travis Cloke has taken 19 of those marks and is ranked equal seventh.
4. Gold Coast has struggled at home early in 2015, losing two of its three matches, while Collingwood enjoys a positive history on the Gold Coast, winning six of eight matches there.
5. Despite their poor form the Suns continue to be the No.1 clearance team in 2015, averaging 44.4 a game, while the Magpies are 11th at 38.1 a game.
6. Dion Prestia continues his climb up the Official AFL Player Ratings to now be ranked a career-high 22nd overall. Prestia had 27 disposals and nine tackles against West Coast.

IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …Travis Cloke
The Collingwood spearhead outsizes most opponents he plays, but against Gold Coast he'll have an even more distinct advantage. With Steven May suspended and Rory Thompson injured, the Suns' key defensive posts will be left to Jack Leslie and Henry Schade, who have a combined total of six games experience between them. If the Magpies' midfielders get a good share of possession, Cloke should get plenty of opportunities to practice his much-discussed goalkicking routine.

PREDICTION: Collingwood by 21 points