Preview Round 15: Collingwood v Port Adelaide

AFL

SUMMARY

Round 15 Collingwood v Port Adelaide Thursday July 9, 7:50pm Adelaide Oval 7mate / Fox Footy 7:30pm Weather: Min 7 Max 16 Chance of rain 60%: 1-5mm Wind: NNW 19kph Betting: Collingwood $1.93 Port Adelaide $1.87

Following one of the saddest weekends in Australian sport, two more of Phil Walsh's former clubs will face off.
Walsh was an assistant at Port Adelaide twice – most recently last season – and started his playing career with Collingwood in 1983 (22 games).
This will be an emotionally charged game but as much as they'll be hurting, the Power need to upset the in-form Magpies to maintain their slim chance of playing finals in September.
Collingwood has proven a surprise packet this season and despite losing its previous two games to Hawthorn and Fremantle, the performances suggested the team's a genuine premiership threat.

LAST FIVE TIMES

1. R19, 2014, Collingwood 11.10 (76) d Port Adelaide 10.10 (70) at the MCG
2. 2EF, 2013, Port Adelaide 12.15 (87) d Collingwood 9.9 (63) at the MCG
3. R14, 2013, Port Adelaide 13.8 (86) d Collingwood 7.9 (51) at AAMI Stadium
4. R4, 2012, Collingwood 14.13 (97) d Port Adelaide 10.13 (73) at Etihad Stadium
5. R20, 2011, Collingwood 23.21 (159) d Port Adelaide 3.3 (21) at AAMI Stadium

THE SIX POINTS

1. One of Collingwood’s strengths in 2015 has been its marking inside 50, ranked equal first with 14.2 a game. Port Adelaide has struggled moving into attack and is ranked 11th for marks inside 50 with 10.9 a game.
2. Collingwood has dominated Port Adelaide recently, winning seven of the last nine matches. The Power’s last win was the 2013 elimination final at the MCG.
3. Port Adelaide’s scoring issues continue in 2015; its average points per game is 83 this season compared to 100 per game in 2014.
4. The Magpies' win over the Power late in 2014 was thanks to their midfield; Dayne Beams had 32 possessions, Steele Sidebottom 31 and Taylor Adams 28. Oddly though, the Power had seven more disposals in total.
5. Port has been one of the League's strongest tackling teams this season, averaging 72.5 a game. But Collingwood has also been good, ranked fourth with 71 a game.
6. The League's best player according to the Official AFL Player Ratings, Scott Pendlebury, will go up against the best midfielder/forward in Robbie Gray. Gray is ranked sixth overall.

IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
Travis Boak. The Power will need a huge game from their skipper if they're to succeed on Thursday night – not just in output but in leadership. In such trying times Boak's teammates will look to their captain for guidance.

PREDICTION: Collingwood by 27 points