2018 Round 17: The Team, Preview, Injury List

2018 AFL Round 17 COLLINGWOOD v WEST COAST Time & Place: Sunday July 15, 1:10pm EST MCG Fox Footy 1:00pm EST Weather: Min 5 Max 14 Chance of rain 30%: < 1mm Wind: NNE 15kph Betting: Collingwood $1.46 West Coast $2.75

B: Brayden Maynard, Tom Langdon, Jack Crisp

HB: Jeremy Howe, Matthew Scharenberg, Travis Varcoe

C: Chris Mayne, Scott Pendlebury, Tom Phillips

HF: Jordan De Goey, Will Hoskin-Elliott, Josh Daicos

F: Josh Thomas, Mason Cox, Jaidyn Stephenson

Foll: Brodie Grundy, Taylor Adams, Steele Sidebottom

Int (from): Callum Brown, Ben Crocker, Brody Mihocek, Darcy Moore, Adam Oxley, Sam Murray, Brayden Sier, Levi Greenwood

IN: Callum Brown, Darcy Moore, Sam Murray, Adam Oxley, Travis Varcoe
OUT: Flynn Appleby (hamstring)

COLLINGWOOD NEWS They passed with flying colours in the VFL, now Darcy Moore and Travis Varcoe appear likely to continue their recovery efforts and return from injury against West Coast. The pair have been named alongside Callum Brown, Sam Murray and Adam Oxley as potential inclusions for a Sunday clash at the MCG. Will Hoskin-Elliott will also be given every chance to prove his fitness ahead of the top-four match up with the Eagles. The reliable forward has shaken off bad bone bruising sustained against Essendon last weekend, with coach Nathan Buckley on Thursday stating Hoskin-Elliott is “one of the most physically resilient and mentally tough players” he’s ever known. The team is far from set in stone. Players will train on Saturday with all 25 in the squad to be given a final tune-up before the round 17 match. One player named on the field and expected to take on the Eagles is Jack Crisp. The defender has never missed a match in his time at Collingwood, and on Sunday will play his 100th AFL game. Crisp begun his career at the Brisbane Lions, before crossing to the Holden Centre in 2014 and playing 81 consecutive games since.

AFL PREVIEW ROUND 17 COLLINGWOOD V WEST COAST AFL LAST FIVE TIMES R18, 2017, Collingwood 13.15 (93) d West Coast Eagles 13.7 (85) at Etihad Stadium R19, 2016, Collingwood 13.13 (91) d West Coast Eagles 11.6 (72) at the MCG R6, 2016, West Coast Eagles 18.16 (124) d Collingwood 9.8 (62) at Subiaco Oval R16, 2015, West Coast Eagles 11.21 (87) d Collingwood 7.14 (56) at Etihad Stadium R20, 2014, West Coast Eagles 19.12 (126) d Collingwood 10.6 (66) at Subiaco Oval LADDER POSITIONS Collingwood: 2 West Coast: 3 INJURY LIST James Aish (knee) – available Jarryd Blair (hamstring) – available Jamie Elliott (hamstring) – available Alex Fasolo (ankle) – available Will Hoskin-Elliott (bone bruising) – test Rupert Wills (hamstring) – 2 weeks Flynn Appleby (hamstring) – 3-4 weeks Ben Reid (knee / calf) – 3-4 weeks Adam Treloar (hamstrings) – 7-8 weeks Tyson Goldsack (knee) – indefinite Kayle Kirby (medical condition) – indefinite Tim Broomhead (broken leg) – season Lynden Dunn (knee) – season Daniel Wells (foot) – season SUMMARY It speaks volumes for the talent, spirit and belief at both clubs that they remain firmly in premiership contention despite suffering injuries that would have torn the heart out of most teams. This clash for second position features two combatants who are almost identical in win/loss record (11-4) as well as points scored and points conceded, but the overwhelming factor appears to be the venue – Collingwood’s home ground, the MCG – where the Eagles haven't defeated the Magpies in more than 23 years; where the Eagles have played just once this season, narrowly beating lowly Carlton back in round five; and where the Pies have been undefeated in their past four starts, including blockbusters against Melbourne and Essendon. Despite their well-documented personnel issues, Nathan Buckley’s men are hot favourites after winning seven on the trot – a current competition-high. AFL THE SIX POINTS West Coast hasn't beaten Collingwood at the MCG since round two, 1995, losing each of their subsequent 10 clashes there. The Eagles won their only other MCG game this season, albeit against bottom side Carlton. When the sides last met, Collingwood trailed by 18 points at three-quarter time before powering home with five goals to one in the final term. Jordan De Goey was best-afield with 20 possessions and four goals. Collingwood is ranked No.1 in the AFL for disposals, averaging 411.2, while West Coast is 16th with 352.5. Both teams have been entertaining to watch this season with the Magpies the third-highest scoring team with 93 a game and the Eagles fourth with 91. With Collingwood and West Coast to clash for the 50th time, they are 24 wins apiece (and one draw). The Pies have won their past two encounters. Collingwood midfielder Tom Phillips continues to rise in the Schick AFL Player Ratings, lifting to a career-high ranking of No.89. At the end of last season was he No.322. IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …Nic Naitanui When it comes to ruckmen, much of the talk this season has centred around Collingwood’s Brodie Grundy and Melbourne’s Max Gawn, so ‘Nic Nat’ has a golden opportunity to remind the folk in the east just what a powerful presence he is when he and Scott Lycett take on Grundy and Mason Cox. Naitanui might well win the ruck duel but he’ll need to limit Grundy’s non-stop, all-round game. PREDICTION: Collingwood by 19 points