Preview Round 22: Collingwood v Geelong

AFL

SUMMARY

2017 AFL Round 22 COLLINGWOOD v GEELONG Time & Place: Saturday August 19, 2:10pm EST MCG TV: Fox Sports 2:00pm EST Weather: Min 6 Max 13 Chance of rain 60%: < 1mm Wind: SW 11kph Betting: Collingwood $2.60 Geelong $1.50

On ladders positions alone, third-placed Geelong should enjoy a percentage-booster against 13th side Collingwood. But the Cats certainly won't allow themselves the luxury of such thoughts, as they were expected to win easily in their past two clashes with the Pies, only to suffer comprehensive losses on both occasions at the MCG. This time, though, the Pies will be without skipper Scott Pendlebury and ruckman Brodie Grundy, both of whom were superb in those upset victories. The Pies might be missing several key players but their gutsy effort against Port Adelaide showed they still have plenty of spirit, and they will fancy their chances of winning four in a row against Geelong for the first time since 1960. This will be the Cats' final game at the MCG before the finals, and they'll want to make it count.

LAST FIVE MEETINGS

1. R6, 2017, Collingwood 15.17 (107) d Geelong 11.12 (78) at the MCG
2. R9, 2016, Collingwood 16.8 (104) d Geelong 11.14 (80) at the MCG
3. R22, 2015, Collingwood 17.8 (110) d Geelong 9.8 (62) at the MCG
4. R6, 2015, Geelong 15.10 (100) d Collingwood 8.11 (59) at the MCG
5. R3, 2014, Geelong 12.15 (87) d Collingwood 11.10 (76) at the MCG

THE SIX POINTS

1. Collingwood has won its past three games against Geelong, and six of the past eight. The Pies haven't won four in a row against the Cats for 57 years.
2. In round six the Magpies had more disposals, more inside 50s, more clearances and more contested possessions.
3. The Cats are the No.1 tackling team this season, averaging 74.6, while the Magpies are equal-12th with 67.8.
4. The Magpies are No.1 in uncontested possessions and seventh in contested possessions, while the Cats are 11th and fourth respectively.
5. Despite Richmond coach Damien Hardwick's suggestion the Cats are favoured by the umpires at their Simonds Stadium headquarters, they actually have actually given away the second-most free kicks. However, stars Joel Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield are ranked first and second for free kicks.
6. Collingwood vice-captain Taylor Adams continues to climb up the Schick AFL Player Ratings, rising to a career-best ranking of No.24. He is the third-highest ranked Magpie and is 16th among midfielders.

IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Chris Scott.
The Cats coach has seen his team fail in its past three games against the Pies, including the past two when they were raging favourites. If Scott and his fellow coaches don't have their players mentally primed to the level required and they go down again, it will invite serious questions about the Cats' premiership claims.
PREDICTION: Geelong by 19 points