Preview Round 8: Collingwood v Greater Western Sydney

AFL

SUMMARY

2017 AFL Round 8 COLLINGWOOD v GWS Time & Place: Saturday May 13, 4:35pm EST Sydney Showground Stadium TV: 7mate / Fox Footy 4:30pm EST Weather: Min 13 Max 22 Chance of rain 90%: 1-5mm Wind: ENE 16kph Betting: Collingwood $4.20 GWS $1.23

The Giants return to Sydney Showground Stadium for the first time since round two after going 1-1 in their two-match Friday night footy run, and will be keen to knock off the Magpies for the first time. Collingwood sprung a major upset when they beat GWS at home by 32 points in round 16 last year, but Nathan Buckley's men have failed to bring any consistency to their approach this season, and need to turn that around fast. The ruck battle between Shane Mumford and Brodie Grundy will one to keep an eye on, while Levi Greenwood's role also intriguing, with star Giants Dylan Shiel and Josh Kelly certain to be in his sights. The home side looks to have far more goal-scoring power than the Pies, with Jeremy Cameron, Jonathon Patton and Rory Lobb sure to test out Collingwood's tall defenders.

LAST FIVE MEETINGS

1. R16, 2016, Collingwood 19.11 (125) d GWS 14.9 (93) at Sydney Showground Stadium
2. R11, 2015, Collingwood 18.11 (119) d GWS 11.11 (77) at the MCG
3. R22, 2014, Collingwood 11.9 (75) d GWS 9.13 (67) at Sydney Showground Stadium
4. R18, 2013, Collingwood 15.16 (106) d GWS 10.6 (66) at the MCG
5. R18, 2012, Collingwood 26.18 (174) d GWS 7.12 (54) at Sydney Showground Stadium

THE SIX POINTS

1. When the teams last met, the Giants kicked seven goals to three in the first quarter, but the Magpies then booted 16 goals to seven to run away with the game. Brodie Grundy had 27 disposals and 28 hit-outs.
2. It will be a contest between one of the highest-scoring teams, with the Giants ranked fourth with 15.3 goals per game, and one of the lowest, with Collingwood equal last kicking 10.7 goals per game.
3. GWS has yet to defeat Collingwood from five contests; three have been decided by 40 points or more, the closest margin so far is eight points in 2014.
4. The Giants remain the best clearance team in 2017 averaging 42.4 per game; Collingwood is seventh with an average of 37.9.
5. The Giants return to Sydney Showground Stadium for just the second time this season and for first time since round two, when they thrashed Gold Coast by 102 points. Collingwood has played three times at the venue for three wins.
6. Aggressive GWS ruckman Shane Mumford is ranked 33rd in the Schick AFL Player Ratings, and his dual with big Magpie Brodie Grundy (85th) should bring fireworks to Sydney Showground Stadium.

IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Stephen Coniglio.
The star midfielder returned from a long layoff last week but had a tough night against St Kilda, and lowered his colours to Jack Steven. The vice-captain will be better for the run and will no doubt get a chance to get atone against Pies skipper Scott Pendlebury, or maybe even his old teammate Adam Treloar.

PREDICTION: Greater Western Sydney by 41 points.