Preview Round 11: Collingwood v Greater Western Sydney

AFL

SUMMARY

Collingwood v GWS Sunday June 14, 1:10pm MCG 7mate / Fox Footy 1:00pm Weather: Min 8 Max 16 Chance of rain 60%: < 1mm Wind: SE 14kph Betting: Collingwood $1.62 GWS $2.30

The AFL ladder says this is the match of the round – a clash between young, developing teams that sit fourth (Pies) and fifth (Giants) with 7-3 records.
Although the Pies aren't the heavyweights they were a few years back, they represent a massive test for the Giants at the MCG, where their only victory was against a battling Melbourne late last year.
The Giants' only lapse in the past month came against the Bulldogs on their most recent trip to Melbourne a fortnight ago, while the Pies have been getting the job done without really doing it for four quarters.
It will be intriguing to see how the Giants' talented young midfield matches up against the Pies' established stars Scott Pendlebury, Dane Swan and Steele Sidebottom.

LAST THREE TIMES

1. R22, 2014, Collingwood 11.9 (75) d GWS Giants 9.13 (67) at Spotless Stadium
2. R18, 2013, Collingwood 15.16 (106) d GWS Giants 10.6 (66) at the MCG
3. R18, 2012, Collingwood 26.18 (174) d GWS Giants 7.12 (54) at Spotless Stadium

THE SIX POINTS

1. Although Collingwood has defeated GWS in each of their three clashes, the final margins are getting closer – 120, 40 and eight points.
2. The Giants will play their first game at the MCG this season. They have just one win from seven games at the venue, but that victory was in their most recent journey onto the hallowed turf, thrashing Melbourne by 64 points in round 21 last year.
3. The Giants impressive key forward duo, Jeremy Cameron and Cam McCarthy, have combined for 56 goals while Pies counterparts Travis Cloke and Jesse White have tallied 41 majors.
4. The Giants' seven wins this year is already a club record, passing their six wins in 2014. Their average scores, for and against, last year were 80 and 105 respectively, and have improved dramatically this season to 94 and 83.
5. Collingwood is ranked equal-first for marks inside 50 this season with 15.1 a game, courtesy of Travis Cloke and Jamie Elliott, who are ranked 9th and 10th respectively in the AFL.
6. While Collingwood skipper Scott Pendlebury is consolidating his position as the No. 1 ranked player in the Official AFL Player Ratings, Giants counterpart Ryan Griffen's standing continues to fall, now to No. 19. GWS skipper Callan Ward is at No. 16 and rising.

IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Heath Shaw.
The former Magpie star is in his second season with the Giants and so far the team's development is tracking beautifully towards a potential ice-breaking finals berth. Very little would top playing a leading role in a win against his old side at the home of football.

PREDICTION: Collingwood by nine points