2018 Second Semi-Final: Collingwood v GWS

2018 AFL Second Semi-Final COLLINGWOOD v GWS Time & Place: Saturday September 15, 7:25pm EST MCG TV: Prime7 7:00pm Fox Footy 6:30pm Weather: Min 10 Max 16 Chance of rain 70%: 1-5mm Wind: WSW 27kph Betting: Collingwood $1.60 GWS $2.35

 TEAM

B: Brayden Maynard, Tom Langdon, Jack Crisp

HB: Jeremy Howe, Tyson Goldsack, Travis Varcoe

C: Adam Treloar, Scott Pendlebury, Tom Phillips

HF: Will Hoskin-Elliott, Brody Mihocek, Jordan De Goey

F: Josh Thomas, Mason Cox, Jaidyn Stephenson

Foll: Brodie Grundy, Taylor Adams, Steele Sidebottom

Int: Brayden Sier, James Aish, Chris Mayne, Levi Greenwood
Emg: Callum Brown, Josh Daicos, Jack Madgen, Ben Reid

AFL 2018 SECOND SEMI-FINAL COLLINGWOOD V GWS Collingwood will take an unchanged line-up into Saturday night's do-or-die semi-final against Greater Western Sydney at the MCG. Tyson Goldsack and Adam Treloar, who returned from long-term injuries for the qualifying final against West Coast, have recovered well and are right to go. Jeremy Howe has also pulled up well from what was his first game in more than a month. The emergencies are Callum Brown, Josh Daicos, Jack Madgen, Ben Reid. Daicos and Madgen were the emergencies who travelled with the team to Perth last weekend. LADDER POSITIONS Collingwood: 3 GWS: 7 WHAT TO WATCH FOR Collingwood The Magpies' tackling pressure to ramp up. Collingwood laid 64 tackles against the Eagles. Look for them to key in on this area against the Giants. Pour time and effort into Toby Greene. Greene is the Giants' matchwinner, so expect Brayden Maynard or Levi Greenwood to try to shut him down. Keep Lachie Whitfield accountable. The All Australian pushed more onto the wing with Zac Williams back in the Giants' team. Whitfield is dangerous. GWS Stephen Coniglio to go to Steele Sidebottom and try to keep him in check. Sidebottom is often the talisman for the Pies, so the Giants will put a lot of work into him. Phil Davis to play another critical role after outpointing Lance Franklin. Stopping Mason Cox, and preventing him from getting to marking contests, will be a priority. Harry Himmelberg to play another key role. The mobile forward's impact will be important to assist the likes of Toby Greene and Jeremy Cameron.  WHAT THE COACHES SAY Nathan Buckley: "We're still in the fight … we won't dwell or cry over spilt milk. We have an opportunity now to make sure we in some ways take the lessons from this experience and dust ourselves off and go again." – after Saturday night's loss to West Coast Adam Simpson: "From Toby (Greene) and Brett (Deledio) and Matty (De Boer) in the front half, to Zac (Williams) in the back half, they all contributed in a manner that made them look like they'd been playing for a month. There's no doubt they're hungry for more, so we have to get them ready for next week." – Cameron on returning players from injury. INJURY LIST Brody Mihocek (foot) – available Darcy Moore (hamstring) – test Ben Reid (calf) – test Jamie Elliott (hamstring) – season Kayle Kirby (medical condition) – season Matthew Scharenberg (knee) – season Tim Broomhead (broken leg) – season Lynden Dunn (knee) – season Daniel Wells (foot) – season SUMMARY The Magpies had their opportunities to upset West Coast in their qualifying final clash, but now have to turn their attention to a semi-final contest – to keep their season alive – against Greater Western Sydney. The Giants were impressive in a 49-point hiding of Sydney, dismantling their crosstown rivals and keeping the Swans to their lowest score – since moving to Sydney – in a final. The battle around clearances will be a fascinating element in Saturday night's game, with both teams boasting strong midfield units. AFL THE SIX POINTS The Giants led by just a single point at three-quarter-time in round two before kicking five goals to three in the final quarter. Giants onballer Stephen Coniglio starred with 27 disposals, three goals, five inside 50s and seven clearances. Collingwood has been the highest-ranked disposal team all season, the only team to average more than 400 touches per game all year. The Giants are mid-table for disposals with an average of 380.8. The Giants have now won the past two clashes between the sides ending Collingwood's dominance. The Magpies won the first five matches in 2012-16 including a 120-point thrashing in 2012. GWS continues to be the No.1 clearance team in 2018, averaging 39.6. But Collingwood has also been strong in this area, ranked fourth with an average of 37.7. If Collingwood loses, it will be the first time since 1992 it has finished top four and failed to win a final. The Giants will be aiming for consecutive finals wins for the first time in club history.  Taylor Adams was the top-ranked Magpie in the Schick AFL Player Ratings and the third-best player on the ground in the Collingwood-West Coast qualifying final. IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Toby Greene After much discussion about his controversial technique in marking contests this week, Greene could be the difference between the Giants winning and losing. GWS is a much better side with its star playmaker in the line-up. Look for him to have another big game. AFL LAST FIVE TIMES R2, 2018, GWS Giants 15.5 (95) d Collingwood 12.7 (79) at the MCG R8, 2017, GWS Giants 15.12 (102) d Collingwood 15.9 (99) at Spotless Stadium R16, 2016, Collingwood 19.11 (125) d GWS Giants 14.9 (93) at Spotless Stadium R11, 2015, Collingwood 18.11 (119) d GWS Giants 11.11 (77) at the MCG R22, 2014, Collingwood 11.9 (75) d GWS Giants 9.13 (67) at Spotless Stadium PREDICTION Collingwood by 10 points