Preview Round 21: Collingwood v Port Adelaide

AFL

SUMMARY

2017 AFL Round 21 COLLINGWOOD v PORT ADELAIDE Time & Place: Sunday August 13, 4:40pm EST Adelaide Oval TV: Fox Footy 4:30pm EST Weather: Min 10 Max 19 Chance of rain 40%: < 1mm Wind: NNW 22kph Betting: Collingwood $3.16 Port Adelaide $1.36

The Power will be desperate to respond after last weekend's embarrassing 84-point thumping at the hands of cross-town rival Adelaide at Adelaide Oval. It was the largest losing margin in Showdown history and almost ends the Power's chances of finishing in the top four. Securing a home elimination final would be the Power's goal through the remaining three games of the season, but they can also fall out of the top eight altogether. In contrast, the Magpies have won three of their past four, with the other game a draw, to keep their slim finals hopes alive. Every victory will help coach Nathan Buckley remain at Collingwood next season. The Magpies have shown in the past month they are capable of troubling any side in the competition, but the Power have too much at stake to turn in another horrible performance.

LAST FIVE MEETINGS

1. R14, 2017, Port Adelaide 13.15 (93) d Collingwood 9.8 (62) at the MCG
2. R11, 2016, Port Adelaide 19.11 (125) d Collingwood 7.16 (58) at the MCG
3. R15, 2015, Port Adelaide 9.12 (66) d Collingwood 9.9 (63) at Adelaide Oval
4. R19, 2014, Collingwood 11.10 (76) d Port Adelaide 10.10 (70) at the MCG
5. 2EF, 2013, Port Adelaide 12.15 (87) d Collingwood 9.9 (63) at the MCG

THE SIX POINTS

1. Power star Robbie Gray booted five goals in his side's 31-point victory over the Magpies in round 14 at the MCG. Despite having 17 scoring shots to 28, the Magpies had the advantage in disposals (+78), marks (+22) and uncontested possessions (+84).
2. The Power only had 31 inside 50s in their 84-point Showdown loss to Adelaide last weekend, but still lead the League in Inside 50s, averaging 58.6 per game. The Magpies are ranked third with 56.3.
3. The ledger is an even 14 wins each in the 28 meetings between Port Adelaide and Collingwood. The Power have had the wood on the Magpies recently, winning five of the past six games.
4. The Power's scoring has dropped away dramatically in recent weeks. They averaged 104 points per game in their first 16 matches, but only 58 in their last three.
5. After a terrible start to the season, the Magpies have won three of their last four games and had a draw. It's their best non-losing sequence since winning four in a row in rounds 8-11 in 2015.
6. Magpies midfielder Taylor Adams is in a purple patch of form, according to the Schick AFL Player Ratings. Adams is ranked fifth in the League from rounds 17-20 averaging 19 rankings points per game. He was 64th in the competition from rounds 1-16, averaging 13 rankings points per game. 

IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Alex Fasolo.
The Magpies forward will be hoping to celebrate his 100th AFL game with a victory. The 25-year-old has kicked 29 goals this season, but only two in his past three games.

PREDICTION: Port Adelaide by 14 points