Preview 1 Round 5: Collingwood v Essendon

AFL

SUMMARY

2017 AFL Round 5 COLLINGWOOD v ESSENDON Time & Place: Tuesday April 25, 3:20pm EST MCG TV: 7mate / Fox Footy 3:00pm EST Weather: Min 12 Max 17 Chance of rain 80%: 5-10mm Wind: W 21kph Betting: Collingwood $1.74 Essendon $2.10

Collingwood has had the upper hand in recent Anzac Day contests but enters this year's clash in some trouble due to its indifferent start to the season. The Pies were ordinary in their loss to St Kilda last weekend, after failing to back up their tight away win over Sydney the previous round. But they might get to see recruit Daniel Wells for the first time at senior level after the ex-Kangaroo returned in the VFL last round. Essendon, according to coach John Worsfold, has "hit the wall" after its brilliant beginning to the season. Its past two performances have been lacklustre, and have left the Bombers 2-2 after four rounds. But Worsfold will be hoping the huge crowd can lift his side back to the quick, explosive and dangerous line-up that tore apart Hawthorn in round one.

LAST FIVE MEETINGS

1. R5, 2016, Collingwood 22.10 (142) d Essendon 11.7 (73) at the MCG
2. R23, 2015, Essendon 14.11 (95) d Collingwood 14.8 (92) at the MCG
3. R4, 2015, Collingwood 9.15 (69) d Essendon 6.13 (49) at the MCG
4. R17, 2014, Essendon 16.7 (103) d Collingwood 5.9 (39) at the MCG
5. R6, 2014, Collingwood 12.11 (83) d Essendon 8.12 (60) at the MCG

THE SIX POINTS

1. Both the Bombers and Magpies continue to be high disposal teams. Collingwood is ranked third and Essendon is fourth for total disposals in the competition, while the Bombers are in the top four for uncontested possessions.
2. This is the 23rd clash between the sides on Anzac Day and Collingwood holds a clear advantage, winning 13 games to eight. There was also a draw in the first contest in 1995. The Magpies have won the past three and six of the past seven games.
3. Collingwood remains the most inaccurate team in 2017, kicking 41.47 at 38.7 per cent. Essendon has been better in this area, kicking 53.31 at 51 per cent.
4. Of current players, Bombers midfielder Brent Stanton has played the most Anzac Day matches (11) just ahead of Scott Pendlebury and Jobe Watson (10 each). David Zaharakis has kicked 11 goals on Anzac Day, and Pie Steele Sidebottom has slotted 10.
5. Essendon has struggled taking the ball inside 50 this season, being ranked 17th with only 48.3 a game. In contrast, Collingwood is ranked sixth, with 55.5 a game.
6. No.1 pick Andrew McGrath's impressive start to his career has seen him rise into third place on the Shick Official AFL Player Ratings board for first-year players.

IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Darcy Moore.

It is hard not to feel a little sorry for Darcy Moore playing up forward in the Pies' side so far this year, given the terrible ball use at stages. But the Pies need more goals to compete and Moore is their main man in the forward half.

PREDICTION: Essendon by 12 points