COLLINGWOOD AFLW 2020 DRAW

COLLINGWOOD AFLW 2020 DRAW All Times AEDT/AEST
ROUND 1 Sunday February 9 1.10pm Collingwood v West Coast Victoria Park TV: Fox	ROUND 2 Sunday February 16 3.10pm Carlton v Collingwood Princes Park TV: Free to Air
ROUND 3 Saturday February 22 7.10pm Fremantle v Collingwood Fremantle Oval TV: Free to Air	ROUND 4 Friday February 28 7.10pm Collingwood v Melbourne Victoria Park TV: Fox
ROUND 5 Sunday March 8 1.10pm Collingwood v Footscray Morwell Recreation Reserve TV: Fox	ROUND 6 Saturday March 14 3.10pm Brisbane v Collingwood Hickey Park TV: Free to Air
ROUND 7 Sunday March 22 6.10pm Collingwood v St Kilda Victoria Park TV: Fox	ROUND 8 Saturday March 28 3.10pm Geelong v Collingwood Kardinia Park TV: Free to Air
SEMI-FINALS (1) Saturday April 11 (2) Sunday April 12 Place & Time TBC TV: Free to Air	GRAND-FINAL Saturday April 18 or Sunday April 19 Place & Time TBC TV: Free to Air

Collingwood News Collingwood will kick off the 2020 AFLW season by hosting the West Coast Eagles in round one at the club’s spiritual home, Victoria Park. The match will mark the Eagles’ inaugural game in the AFLW competition. Both the Pies and Eagles have been placed in ‘Conference B’ together with Carlton, Melbourne, Western Bulldogs, Fremantle and St Kilda. Collingwood will also play two cross-conference games against Brisbane and Geelong. The Magpies home matches in Melbourne will take place at Victoria Park. The Pies will also host the Western Bulldogs at Morwell Recreation Reserve in round five. This game will precede Collingwood’s AFL pre-season game against St Kilda. Collingwood will make two interstate trips in 2020 first meeting the Dockers at Fremantle Oval in round three before taking on the Lions at Hickey Park in round six. With the AFLW CBA confirmed earlier this week, the 2020 season will compromise of eight home and away matches and three weeks of finals. Four of Collingwood’s games will be shown on Fox Footy and the remaining four on Channel Seven. CONFERENCE A Adelaide (first in A in 2019, premiers) North Melbourne (third in A in 2019) Geelong (second in B in 2019) Greater Western Sydney (third in B in 2019) Brisbane (fourth in B in 2019) Gold Coast (new team) Richmond (new team) CONFERENCE B Fremantle (second in A in 2019) Melbourne (fourth in A in 2019) Western Bulldogs (fifth in A in 2019) Carlton (first in B in 2019) Collingwood (fifth in B in 2019) St Kilda (new team) West Coast (new team)

COLLINGWOOD 2020 DRAW

COLLINGWOOD 2020 DRAW All Times AEDT
ROUND 1 Friday March 20 7.50pm Footscray v Collingwood Docklands TV: Free to Air	ROUND 2 Thursday March 26 7.20pm Collingwood v Richmond MCG TV: Free to Air
ROUND 3 Saturday April 4 1.45pm Hawthorn v Collingwood MCG TV: Fox	ROUND 4 Thursday April 9 7.35pm Brisbane v Collingwood The Gabba TV: Free to Air
ROUND 5 Saturday April 18 1.10pm Collingwood v Port Adelaide MCG TV: Fox	ROUND 6 Saturday April 25 4.20pm Collingwood v Essendon MCG TV: Free to Air
ROUND 7 Friday May 1 7.50pm Collingwood v St Kilda Docklands TV: Free to Air	ROUND 8 Saturday May 9 7.25pm GWS v Collingwood Sydney Showground TV: Free to Air
ROUND 9 Sunday May 17 1.10pm Carlton v Collingwood MCG TV: Fox	ROUND 10 Sunday May 24 3.20pm Collingwood v North Melbourne Docklands TV: Free to Air
ROUND 11 Friday May 31 3.20pm Collingwood v West Coast MCG TV: Free to Air	ROUND 12 Monday June 8 3.20pm Melbourne v Collingwood MCG TV: Free to Air
ROUND 13 Bye	ROUND 14 Thursday June 18 7.20pm Swans v Collingwood SCG TV: Free to Air
ROUND 15 Sunday June 28 1.10pm Collingwood v Adelaide MCG TV: Fox	ROUND 16 Saturday July 4 1.45pm Collingwood v Brisbane MCG TV: Fox
ROUND 17 Friday July 10 7.50pm Richmond v Collingwood MCG TV: Free to Air	ROUND 18 Friday July 17 7.50pm Collingwood v Geelong MCG TV: Free to Air
ROUND 19 Sunday July 26 5.20pm Fremantle v Collingwood Perth Stadium TV: Fox	ROUND 20 Saturday August 1 1.45pm Essendon v Collingwood MCG TV: Fox
ROUND 21 Saturday August 8 1.45pm Collingwood v Melbourne MCG TV: Fox	ROUND 22 Friday August 14 8.10pm West Coast v Collingwood Perth Stadium TV: Free to Air
ROUND 23 Dates, times, TV TBC Friday August 21 – Sunday August 23 Collingwood v Gold Coast MCG

Collingwood News Collingwood's 2020 AFL fixture has been revealed, with home and away blockbusters against Richmond and West Coast among the highlights. The Magpies will host the Tigers at the MCG on a Thursday night in round two, then face the Tigers again in a Friday night clash at the 'G in round 17. The games against the Eagles are in round 11 (Sunday afternoon at the MCG) and round 22 (Friday night game at Optus Stadium). Collingwood CEO Mark Anderson has described the club’s 2020 AFL fixture as fan friendly. With nine of Collingwood’s last 12 matches of the season scheduled at the MCG and the team slated to play 17 of its 22 matches in Melbourne, Anderson said Collingwood members and fans will have a near weekly opportunity to watch the team play live. “The experience of watching the Pies play live and sharing in the big occasion atmosphere of our matches is one of the best the game has to offer. In 2020, our members and fans have that opportunity regularly,” said Anderson, who added that the club’s numerous marquee broadcast slots would also please fans. Collingwood will play three Thursday night matches in 2020, five Friday night games, feature on Queens Birthday Monday and play, for the first time, the ANZAC Day match against Essendon at twilight. “I think the schedule will allow even more people to watch Collingwood next year, be that from a seat at the ground, on the couch or in front of a tablet,” he said. “I also think that our schedule next year helps us to trial and, hopefully, create new big occasion rituals. We’re really pleased to be helping to establish a new tradition with a match against Brisbane at the Gabba on Easter Thursday. “It was a success this year, from a live crowd and broadcast perspective, and with the match locked in for the next couple of seasons we think it can become a contest everyone looks forward to as they start their break for Easter. “Playing the ANZAC Day match at twilight is also exciting. The RSL were supportive of the idea, given that the match is on a Saturday next year, and it will be the only match played in Victoria on the day. If we can enhance what already is a superb occasion, an iconic contest, then it will be good for not only Collingwood and Essendon fans but everyone who shares in our national day of remembrance.” “From a football perspective, with no back-to-back travel and our six day breaks between matches generally spaced out, the 2020 fixture meets a lot of our requirements. Two trips to Perth late in the season is not ideal and a six day break after the second of them will present a challenge but on the whole there is a lot to like about our 2020 fixture.”

2019 Grand Final: Richmond 17.12.114 GWS 3.7.25

2019 Preliminary Final: GWS 7.9.56 Collingwood 7.10.52

THE FACTS

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY   1.3.9   2.5.17   7.7.49    8.8.56
COLLINGWOOD                         2.0.12   3.2.20   3.4.22   7.10.52

GOALS - Collingwood: Stephenson 2, Thomas 2, Reid, Elliott, Mayne

BEST - Collingwood: Crisp, Grundy, Pendlebury, Maynard, Wills, Howe, Treloar

INJURIES - Collingwood: Nil

REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil

OFFICIAL CROWD - 77,828 at the MCG

What The Pies Coach Said "It is quite difficult after a result like that to stand in front of the players and really wrap them up, because we've just lost a game. Looking at the last 30 minutes, if we could have found a little extra through the early parts of the game, we could've won it – but we didn't. The side that won it deserved to win it, because they were the better team on the night. I still have real belief in our playing group and how we go about it, and our coaching group and how we set up players, and the administration of our club and how we carry ourselves. All of that is there, and you can't finish at the pointy end of a season without getting a lot of those things right, but there's still a lot of areas we can be better." – Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley

Media Clippings Collingwood News Greater Western Sydney has withstood a furious Collingwood fightback – and a score review controversy – to win by four points and qualify for a historic maiden AFL Grand Final. The underdog Giants led by a match-high 33 points almost six minutes into the final term, were dominating proceedings and would have thought the game was well in their keeping. At that stage, the Magpies had kicked three goals in more than three quarters of football, yet somehow they almost conjured one of the most remarkable comebacks in finals history. A Jaidyn Stephenson goal kick-started the drama, but it was Josh Thomas' major at the nine-minute mark – the second of four straight from Collingwood – that provided the talking point. Thomas' shot appeared to be clearly touched, but play resumed in the middle after a short delay, meaning the Pies were awarded maximum points. The AFL's new ARC set-up, which was supposed to avoid these situations, will come under intense pressure in the wake of this error, which could have cost GWS a Grand Final spot. Fortunately for the AFL, the Giants narrowly hung on by an 8.8 (56) to 7.10 (52) scoreline in a classic encounter in front of a black and white-dominated MCG crowd of 77,828. AFL An all-time classic in one of the best Preliminary Finals ever played. The Magpies faced a 33 point deficit at the sixth-minute mark of the final quarter, but were unable to gain the lead back in a frantic final few minutes. The Giants will now play in their first-ever Grand Final and play Richmond next week. Herald Sun A clutch of Magpies will feel like putting their fists through brick walls when they look back on their preliminary final stats. That’s because their hands simply couldn’t get anywhere near the Sherrin. The angriest will be Brody Mihocek, who’s only two handballs came in the last quarter. Ben Reid (four disposals) sprayed an easy shot in the final quarter while James Aish, Will Hoskin-Elliott (both eight disposals) and Chris Mayne (nine disposals) were all beaten. Mayne’s contested grab in the last quarter had him within touching distance of glory, but the accurate set-shot was touched by Sam Taylor on the goal line. This will sting. Fox Footy GWS are through to their first-ever AFL grand final after they stunned hot favourite Collingwood in a four-point preliminary final thriller at the MCG. The Giants led by a game-high 33 points early in the final term on Saturday, but had to withstand a stirring late challenge by the Pies, who kicked the last four goals of the match only to fall agonisingly short - 8.8 (56) to 7.10 (52). If the Magpies had managed to fall over the line, it would have been a controversial win after Josh Thomas was awarded a goal in the last quarter that appeared to be touched off the boot. ... The vast majority of the 77,828 fans in attendance wore black and white and they left the MCG with broken hearts for the second time in two years, following on from last year’s grand final defeat to West Coast. The Age Collingwood skipper Scott Pendlebury said he felt worse in the immediate aftermath of the four-point preliminary final loss to GWS than he did after losing last year's grand final by less than a kick. The Magpies stormed home in the last quarter to kick the final four goals of the game after trailing by 33 points early in the fourth term, but fell agonisingly short when they hit the post and had a shot for goal touched on the line in a frantic final 20 minutes. "This is worse because you don't get the opportunity to even get there," Pendlebury said. "I would rather have my heart broken again next week if I was in it then not even give yourself a chance to win it." Pendlebury described the loss as a wasted opportunity after they failed to kick a goal between the two-minute mark of the second quarter and the seven-minute mark of the final quarter.

2019 Preliminary Final: The Team & Preview

2019 Preliminary Final COLLINGWOOD v GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY Time & Place: Saturday Sept. 21, 4:35pm AEST MCG TV: 7 / Fox Footy 4:30pm AEST Weather: Min 11 Max 17 Chance of rain: 60% 1-5mm Wind: WNW 17kph Betting: Collingwood $1.31 Geelong $3.50

B: John Noble, Jordan Roughead, Jeremy Howe

HB: Jack Crisp, Darcy Moore, Brayden Maynard

C: Tom Phillips, Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom

HF: Josh Thomas, Brody Mihocek, Will Hoskin-Elliott

F: Jamie Elliott, Ben Reid, Jaidyn Stephenson

Foll: Brodie Grundy, Adam Treloar, Taylor Adams

I/C: James Aish, Callum L. Brown, Chris Mayne, Rupert Wills

Emg: Josh Daicos, Jack Madgen, Matthew Scharenberg, Travis Varcoe

In: Ben Reid, James Aish
Out: Jordan De Goey (Injured), Levi Greenwood (Injured)

Milestones:: Ben Reid  - Playing 150th game

Collingwood News Ben Reid will play his 150th AFL game against the Giants Collingwood has made two changes to its side ahead of the blockbuster preliminary final against the Greater Western Sydney Giants at the MCG on Saturday. Ben Reid makes his way back into the side in place of Jordan De Goey (hamstring). It will be Reid's first senior game since round 15. The 30-year-old has trained strongly over the last four weeks since injuring his hamstring at training. Coach Nathan Buckley has been pleased with his preparation heading into Saturday afternoon's game. “He’s been in full training for about a month now.” Buckley told reporters on Thursday. It will be Reid's 150th AFL game for the Magpies. Defender James Aish returns in place of Levi Greenwood (knee) after overcoming a shoulder injury that has seen him sidelined since round 18. In what is set to be a fiery encounter, Buckley has backed in his side to stand up to the Giants' aggressive nature. "Our hardness inside stacks up for itself," Buckley said. "The way that the Giants have gone about it, I think you've got to be impressed with the steel that they have brought into their game. They were clearly challenged around that four or five weeks ago. "The niggle stuff is part of the game. You can buy into it if you want, or you can just go and play footy really hard, and that's the way we prefer to go about it." It will be a do-or-die clash at the colosseum of football that will have 80,000 fans on the edge of their seats. The Magpie Army will be out in force, cheering loud and proud to decorate the 'G black and white.

AFL 2019 Preliminary Final Collingwood v GWS What it means for Collingwood: The chance to progress to a second successive Grand Final – which would be a remarkable achievement after the tumult of 2017 – and another chance to be the finals party pooper for the Giants. What it means for GWS: An opportunity to make their first Grand Final after losing their previous preliminary finals in 2016 and 2017. It would also show great steel to win their third final in a row while missing stars Stephen Coniglio, Lachie Whitfield, Callan Ward and possibly Toby Greene. The stat: The Giants have lost both of their finals at the MCG, where they have won just two of their past 11 games. The victories were against a depleted Collingwood in round two last year and against Melbourne in round 10 this year. The match-up: Jeremy Cameron v Darcy Moore Coleman medallist Cameron (No.64 in the Official AFL Player Ratings) and intercept specialist Moore (down at No.352, affected by injury absences) are set to stage a hard-running, high-flying duel that might well be worth the admission price alone. It's a big week for: Josh Kelly With Whitfield ruled out and Greene another potential absentee, the Giants' best remaining playmaker could be required to produce a career-defining performance against a Magpie midfield that is humming. The silky left-footer's finals form has been strong, averaging 24 touches and two goals. He might need to lift that to 30 and three. Big call: Giants little man Brent Daniels and Pies opponent John Noble to stage a sprint that will remind many of ex-Swan Lewis Jetta burning off Hawk Cyril Rioli in the 2012 Grand Final. Prediction: Magpies by 16 points

2019 Finals Draw: Week Three Preliminary Finals

2019 Finals Draw: Week Two Semi-Finals

2019 Qualifying Final: Collingwood 9.7.61 Geelong 7.9.51

THE FACTS

COLLINGWOOD   4.2.26   7.5.47   9.7.61   9.7.61
GEELONG              1.2.8   4.4.28   5.6.36    7.9.51

GOALS - Collingwood: Elliott 2, Adams 2, Stephenson, Pendlebury, Howe, Hoskin-Elliott, Sidebottom

BEST - Collingwood: Pendlebury, Sidebottom, Adams, Phillips, Grundy, Howe, Treloar

INJURIES - Collingwood: De Goey (hamstring), Greenwood (knee)

REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil

OFFICIAL CROWD - 93,436 at the MCG

What The Pies Coach Said "Hamstring (for De Goey), don't know if it's a grade or if it's just tightness, but he couldn't finish the game, and Levi (Greenwood) is a suspected ACL. It's terrible for him. They're both remarkably stoic characters, and Levi in particular in the circumstance he's in. ... Levi is a much-loved member of the group. There's not many we don't like, but Levi's right up there in regards to heart and soul. His teammates just love him. We're really flat for him, we expect the diagnosis to be confirmed. We can't be positive (it's a torn ACL), there's always hope. He was around his teammates on the bench still really positive, engaging and contributing in any manner he could. Physically he was done, but still, his demeanour and his energy was still really positive. .... I can't be sure of it (recurrence of De Goey's same hamstring injury). I suspect it is, because it was tightness initially, but we don't have any more information for you. ... I thought we were still able to do most things, Geelong were one down as well (Mitch Duncan, knee), so that was probably marginal. They definitely wanted to speed the game up when they needed to score after probably halfway through the third quarter and into the last, but we were able to handle for the most part whatever they threw at us. It was a really strong, consolidated effort across the four quarters."  – Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley

Media Clippings Collingwood News THERE are few players who can provide the spark Scott Pendlebury gives Collingwood. When Friday night's qualifying final against Geelong needed a composed figure amid the frenetic pace and pressure of September football, Pendlebury was there. And when the Pies needed someone to provide a defining moment when things became scrappy after half-time, who else but Pendlebury could provide a cool finish on the run. As he has throughout his 300-game career, the Collingwood skipper was the calm in the storm. He was also the driving force behind his side booking its spot in a preliminary final. Moments of Pendlebury brilliance were littered throughout Collingwood's 10-point victory over Geelong. He won 24 disposals, took eight marks and laid nine tackles, with his goal late in the third term proving the decisive moment in taking the game away from the Cats. It laid the foundations for a 9.7 (61) to 7.9 (51) win, which ensures the Pies are just one win away from returning to a second successive Grand Final in a fortnight's time.  AFL COLLINGWOOD will be left counting the significant cost of its 10-point preliminary final win over Geelong, with Levi Greenwood suffering a suspected torn ACL and superstar forward Jordan De Goey sidelined yet again with a hamstring complaint. Greenwood suffered the injury in the second term, but it is unclear how the incident happened. ... The talented De Goey's soft tissue troubles continue, having been picked for the match against Geelong after missing Collingwood's final four games of the home and away season with a hamstring injury. Herald Sun If you want to pick a crowning moment of Collingwood’s march into the preliminary final it has to be owned by Scott Pendlebury. The heroic Magpies captain was celebrating his 300th game last night and given his love of the big occasion throughout his career, he was odds-on to feature prominently in the highlights. At the 21-minute mark of the third quarter the qualifying final was on a knife’s edge. Collingwood had dominated the first quarter-and-a-half against a Geelong team who once again suffered finals stage fright. But the Cats kicked the final three goals of the second term and had just got the margin down to 19 points midway through the third. Enter the Iceman. At a ball-up where Brodie Grundy once again monstered his Geelong opponent, his tap went to Jaidyn Stephenson whose quick handball found Pendlebury floating across the back of the pack. It was his moment. From 48 metres out on his trusty left-foot Pendlebury nailed the shot and effectively killed off the Cats. His teammates knew as much and they came from everywhere to celebrate with their leader. Fox Footy Steele Sidebottom didn’t wear a box. He tried two pairs of jocks during the week and didn’t like the extra padding. A jock strap did nothing for him either. But then he tried a pair of speedos and found all the support he needed to tear another final to shreds on Friday night. The dual Copeland Trophy winner missed the final game of the home and away season after requiring surgery to repair a ruptured testicle, following a stray boot from Irishman Anton Tohill at training 16 days ago. In his first final since master tagger Mark Hutchings held him to 14 disposals in last year’s heartbreaking Grand Final loss, Sidebottom reclaimed his status as a September specialist by producing another masterclass in the Magpies’ qualifying final win over Geelong at the MCG. The 28-year-old amassed 33 disposals – the most on the ground – 15 marks, seven inside 50s and 572 metres gained to help Nathan Buckley’s men book a spot on the penultimate weekend of the season. The Age Collingwood are one win away from back-to-back grand finals and have added to Geelong’s post-bye misery, but their premiership hopes have taken a hit with a hamstring injury to Jordan De Goey. Led by midfielder Taylor Adams and ruckman Brodie Grundy, the Magpies’ relentless pressure and a season-high tackle count were the backbone of a 10-point win over the sluggish Cats in a qualifying final at the MCG last night, giving them direct entry into a preliminary final in a fortnight. But the victory came at a cost, for star forward De Goey suffered a recurrence of a hamstring injury. De Goey’s return from a seven-week absence because of a hamstring problem ended early in the second term, when he left the field and spent the rest of the quarter in the dressing room. He returned to the bench after half-time but did not take to the field. Sports medico Dr Rohan White told Triple M ‘‘it’s not looking good for Jordan’’ and feared De Goey’s season was over. The explosive de Goey is a match-winner and his absence threatens the Magpies’ bid to seek redemption for last year’s grand-final loss to West Coast. Teammate Levi Greenwood, who had also battled a hamstring issue six weeks ago, was hurt and spent most of the second half on the bench with what the Magpies suspect is a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

2019 Qualifying Final: The Team & Preview

2019 Qualifying Final COLLINGWOOD v GEELONG Time & Place: Friday Sept. 6, 7:50pm AEST MCG TV: 7mate / Fox Footy 7:30pm AEST Weather: Min 10 Max 14 Chance of rain: 80% 5-10mm Wind: W 13kph Betting: Collingwood $2.10 Geelong $1.72

B: Levi Greenwood, Jordan Roughead, Jeremy Howe

HB: Jack Crisp, Darcy Moore, Brayden Maynard

C: Tom Phillips, Scott Pendlebury, Chris Mayne

HF: Steele Sidebottom, Brody Mihocek, Will Hoskin-Elliott

F: Jamie Elliott, Jordan De Goey, Jaidyn Stephenson

Foll: Brodie Grundy, Adam Treloar, Taylor Adams 

I/C: John Noble, Callum L. Brown, Josh Thomas, Rupert Wills

Emg: Matthew Scharenberg, Travis Varcoe, Jack Madgen, Josh Daicos

In: Steele Sidebottom, Jordan De Goey, Jaidyn Stephenson
Out: Matthew Scharenberg (Omitted), Jack Madgen (Omitted), Travis Varcoe (Omitted)

Milestones: Scott Pendlebury  - Playing 300th game

Collingwood News Captain Scott Pendlebury to play his 300th AFL game Collingwood has made three changes to its side ahead of the blockbuster qualifying final against Geelong at the MCG on Friday night. The Magpies' forward line will be bolstered by Jordan De Goey and Jaidyn Stephenson, while vice-captain Steele Sidebottom returns to the line-up after a week on the sidelines with a groin injury. De Goey returns from a hamstring injury that saw him miss the final four rounds of the home and away season. The 23-year-old has a proven record first-up after a spell and is raring to go. “I feel really good. I think I’m probably fitter than I was in the middle of the year. Hammy feels good. I feel good. I’m ready to go,” De Goey told reporters on Monday. “It was probably more mentally for me and taking the time it [my hamstring] needs. Being locked into finals helps, so I didn’t need to push too hard earlier on.” Stephenson is set to play his first AFL game since round 12 after which he received a 22-game suspension (12 suspended) for gambling on AFL matches. The 20-year-old hasn’t put a foot wrong during a strenuous training block and was lively for Collingwood’s VFL side two weeks ago. Captain Scott Pendlebury will achieve a historic milestone of 300 AFL games, the third to do so in the club’s history. “I’ve been extremely lucky so far across my career, you know, getting that many seasons in and no sort of injuries that have threatened my career. I’m looking forward to playing game 300, but more importantly the final,” Pendlebury told media on Wednesday. Collingwood have named Matthew Scharenberg, Travis Varcoe, Jack Madgen and Josh Daicos as the emergencies. The first bounce is set for 7.50pm, with the MCG expected to attract 95,000 fans.

AFL 2019 Qualifying Final Collingwood v Geelong Jaidyn Stephenson Suspension for betting is over. What it means for Geelong: The opportunity to bury the post-bye and finals record in one fell swoop and book a home preliminary final. Since winning the 2011 flag, the Cats are 2-11 following in-season weeks off and 3-9 in September overall. Veterans Joel Selwood, Harry Taylor and Gary Ablett would enjoy the extra week's rest, too. What it means for Collingwood: A home preliminary final is a tasty proposition for a team aiming to build continuity. Welcoming back Jaidyn Stephenson (gambling ban) and Jordan De Goey (injury) to play with Darcy Moore for just his second game in eight weeks would place the Pies in a strong position if they were to progress straight to the penultimate weekend. The stat: Dating back to round 22, 2017, Geelong has held Collingwood to an average of 56.6 points in their past three meetings. In the 47 matches against all other opponents in that period, the Pies have scored an average of 90 points. The match-up: Rhys Stanley v Brodie Grundy They shared the honours back in round one but this could be Stanley's biggest test as a No.1 ruckman. Ranked No.2 overall in the Official AFL Player Ratings, Grundy is in career-best form as he prepares for Stanley (No.11 ranked ruckman). It's a big week for: Jaidyn Stephenson Friday night marks 88 days since Stephenson was last on an AFL field prior to his 10-week suspension for betting on Collingwood matches. In the first half of the season he was the focal point in attack for the Pies but just how much impact can he have on return? Big call: Chris Scott to flip the narrative and proclaim, "We're an anywhere, anytime team," as the Cats hold on in a thriller. Prediction: Cats by eight points

UPDATE 2019: Finals Week 1

2019: Finals Week 1 + 2019: Ladder Round 23

****

Pos Position     P Played     Pts Points     % Percentage     W Won

L Lost     D Drawn     F Points For     A Points Against

2019 Round 23: Collingwood 76 Essendon 65

THE FACTS

2019 Finals Week One Qualifying Finals QF1: September 5-8 1st vs. 4th QF2: September 5-8 2nd vs. 3rd Elimination Finals EF1: September 5-8 5th vs. 8th EF2: September 5-8 6th vs. 7th Week Two Semi-Finals  SF1: September 13-14 Loser of Q1 vs. Winner of E1 SF2: September 13-14 Loser of Q2 vs. Winner of E2

COLLINGWOOD   3.1.19   6.7.43   8.9.57    10.16.76
ESSENDON           6.2.38   7.2.44   9.3.57      10.5.65

GOALS - Collingwood: Mihocek 4, Elliott 3, Thomas, Roughead, Adams

BEST - Collingwood: Grundy, Mihocek, Elliott, Pendlebury, Roughead, Treloar, Mayne

INJURIES - Collingwood: Scharenberg (concussion)

REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil

OFFICIAL CROWD - 85,405 at the MCG

What The Pies Coach Said "We just take a few deep breaths, get a good night sleep tonight and wake up tomorrow and then go from there. ... We have looked after our end of the bargain, the home and away is done and dusted and the wins and percentage are locked, so now we see where it settles. We have still got a lot of upside with that and the sides that do well in September are ones that continue to improve and we have got a lot of improvement in us. ... We draw the line on the season now including on tonight’s game and we begin the finals season which I think exists in its own right as a separate entity and we need to perform in that." – Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley

Media Clippings Collingwood News If Collingwood's hard-fought 11-point victory over Essendon at the MCG on Friday night is an entree to the upcoming finals series, then bring on September. The stakes were high for both sides and the blockbuster clash between traditional rivals didn't disappoint as the Magpies gave themselves an outside chance of a top-four finish with the 10.16 (76) to 10.5 (65) triumph in front of more than 85,000 fans. They didn't have it all their own way though, as the injury-plagued Bombers - missing a host of key players through injury and having to adjust to the loss of key defender Michael Hurley to a shoulder issue during the second term - took it right up to their more fancied opponent for much of the hard-hitting contest. The Bombers led by 19 points at quarter-time and showed glimpses of their best football right up until the final break, before weight of numbers eventually told and the Brodie Grundy-led Magpies flexed their muscle to win a fourth match on the trot and jump up to third place on the ladder, at least overnight. Grundy was a class above anyone else on the ground as the ruckman and Brownlow fancy tied his career-high disposals count with 33, while also contributing 35 hitouts in a tremendous individual performance matched up against Bombers' counterpart Tom Bellchambers.  Herald Sun There is no bigger lock for All-Australian selection next week than Brodie Grundy. The Collingwood ruckman was named on the bench in last year’s team but has to be the starting ruck this time around. Grundy put on an absolute clinic again last night, overworking a sluggish Tom Bellchambers who returned for the Bombers after seven weeks sidelined with a calf injury. The Magpies’ big man had 8 disposals and three clearances in the first 15 minutes and finished with 33 disposals, seven clearances and 35 hit-outs. He’s going to be a serious weapon come finals. Fox Footy Ultimately, the extra grade of class across the Magpies’ line-up — and the chasm of experience at the Bombers — inspired Nathan Buckley’s men to a hard-fought 11-point victory, 10.16 (76) to Essendon 10.5 (65). Captain Scott Pendlebury (33 disposals) and likely All-Australian ruckman Brodie Grundy (33 disposals) took control of the game in the second half, while Jamie Elliott (3.4 from 18 disposals and nine marks) produced an impressive game for the second consecutive week to inspire their side to victory. Yet when Essendon fans walked out of the MCG on Friday night, they could argue there’s more upside with their team than Collingwood fans. The Age It wasn’t all great news for Collingwood ... with Moore potentially hurting his hamstring upon his return from a five game absence. He headed to the bench in the final quarter and sat out the game. Matt Scharenberg was ruled out of the game before quarter-time with concussion after he copped friendly fire from teammate Levi Greenwood when flying for a mark. Scharenberg, who has had more than his fair share of injury, will have time to recover however he would have preferred a run before finals given he was injured on the eve of last year’s finals series. Thomas hurt his knee late in the game.

2019 Round 23: The Team & Preview

2019 AFL Round 23 COLLINGWOOD v ESSENDON Time & Place: Friday August 23, 7:50pm AEST MCG TV: 7mate / Fox Footy 7:30pm AEST Weather: Min 5 Max 17 Chance of rain: 5% <1mm Wind: N 14kph Betting: Collingwood $1.38 Essendon $3.00

B: Levi Greenwood, Matthew Scharenberg, Jeremy Howe

HB: Jack Crisp, Darcy Moore, Brayden Maynard

C: Tom Phillips, Scott Pendlebury, Chris Mayne

HF: Josh Thomas, Brody Mihocek, Will Hoskin-Elliott

F: Jamie Elliott, Jordan Roughead, Callum L. Brown

Fol: Brodie Grundy, Adam Treloar, Taylor Adams

I/C: Jack Madgen, John Noble, Travis Varcoe, Rupert Wills

Emg: Tim Broomhead, Tyler Brown, Ben Crocker, Josh Daicos

In: Darcy Moore 
Out: Steele Sidebottom (Injured)

Collingwood News Moore returns to face Essendon Collingwood has called up Darcy Moore for the clash against Essendon on Friday night. The 23-year-old was a revelation in the first half of the season for the Magpies in defence, and returns to the MCG after a troublesome hamstring saw him sidelined since round 17. Moore replaces Steele Sidebottom who was ruled out after rupturing a testicle and undergoing surgery on Wednesday. The Magpies have a slim chance of a top 4 finish but rely on other results to go their way. Coach Nathan Buckley is focused on the task that lies ahead in the Bombers. “We’ve got Essendon… we need to narrow our focus on that and execute the footy we’re capable of and building towards whatever September looks like for us,” Buckley said on Wednesday. Collingwood have named Tim Broomhead, Tyler Brown, Ben Crocker and Josh Daicos as the emergencies. The first bounce is set for 7.50pm, with the MCG expected to attract 83,000 fans. Jordan De Goey (hamstring) and Jaidyn Stephenson (suspension) were unavailable for selection.

AFL Preview Round 23 Collingwood v Essendon Shaping as another classic What it means for Collingwood: A chance to finish as high as third if both West Coast and Richmond lose. A defeat could result in a cut-throat clash with the white-hot Western Bulldogs. What it means for Essendon: Win and the Bombers will almost certainly remain seventh and face an away elimination final against Greater Western Sydney; lose and they will play an elimination final against either the Pies or perhaps even Richmond or West Coast. The stat: The Magpies have won their past three encounters with the Bombers, restricting them to an average score of just 61. The match-up: Adam Treloar v Dylan Shiel The former Greater Western Sydney teammates might well square off at stoppages, where it will be a battle between the game's most prolific ball-winner Treloar (ranked No. 17 in the Official AFL Player Ratings) and the second-ranked Bomber (No. 34). It’s a big week for: John Noble The Pies' mid-season recruit has played two AFL games and both have been road trips to Perth and Adelaide, so he finally gets his first opportunity to play in front of a big crowd at the MCG. But don't expect the occasion to faze the speedy little man, who has made a strong start to his career. Big call: Essendon coach John Worsfold will become animated on the sidelines while Collingwood counterpart Nathan Buckley watches on with apparent indifference. Prediction: Collingwood by 19 points

2019: LADDER ROUND 22

Pos Position     P Played     Pts Points     % Percentage     W Won

L Lost     D Drawn     F Points For     A Points Against

2019 Round 22: Collingwood 114 Adelaide 48

THE FACTS

2019 AFL Round 23 COLLINGWOOD v ESSENDON Time & Place: Friday August 23, 7:50pm AEST MCG TV: 7mate / Fox Footy 7:30pm AEST Weather: Min 7 Max 17 Chance of rain: 20% <1mm Wind: WNW 12kph Betting: Collingwood $1.52 Essendon $2.48

COLLINGWOOD   2.2.14   5.5.35   11.8.74   17.12.114
ADELAIDE              0.5.5   2.6.18     3.8.26       6.12.48

GOALS - Collingwood: Elliott 5, Thomas 3, Adams 2, Hoskin-Elliott 2, Phillips 2, Varcoe 2, Maynard

BEST - Collingwood: Elliott, Treloar, Pendlebury, Maynard, Crisp, Howe

INJURIES - Collingwood: Nil

REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil

OFFICIAL CROWD - 48,175 at Adelaide Oval

What The Pies Coach Said "We want to finish (in the) top four. Our part in that is winning games and winning them as well as we possibly can. We need a few results to go our way, either tomorrow or next weekend. We've got Essendon in six days' time, we need to narrow our focus on that and execute the footy we're capable of and building towards whatever September looks like for us. ... We’re seeing the type of footy that we want to play more often. That is always important to get that validation, the reminder for the players of what it feels like to be playing the way that you’re capable of and to be able to impose that on an opposition. Clearly when the stakes get higher and the opposition becomes sharper, then it becomes a little bit more difficult to execute that. But I think we’re in a pretty good space to be able to take those next steps.” – Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley

Media Clippings Herald Sun Jamie Elliott booted five goals for the first time in four years as Collingwood’s revamped small forward-line helped keep the club’s top four hopes alive with a dominant 66-point win over Adelaide. The Magpies produced another stunning on-the-road success on Saturday night, with Elliott turning on his best game for years and Jeremy Howe dragging down another mark of the year contender. Importantly for Nathan Buckley’s side, the victory lifted the Magpies’ percentage from 113.9 to 117.8, courtesy of their third-highest score of the season. It’s a validation of the Pies’ forward structure change since Mason Cox’s season-ending eye injury against Gold Coast in Round 20. Elliott has been the Magpies’ most-used target inside 50 in each of their past two matches. Fox Footy Collingwood have trounced Adelaide by 66 points to climb into the AFL’s top four and all but kill off the Crows’ finals chances. Magpie Jamie Elliott booted five goals in a resounding 17.12 (114) to 6.12 (48) triumph in Saturday’s Adelaide Oval twilight fixture. ... Elliott was dynamic, forming a dangerous forward line with Josh Thomas and Travis Varcoe who booted two goals each — as did Will Hoskin-Elliott and Tom Phillips. The fleet-footed forwards feasted on regular supply from a dominant midfield headed by captain Scott Pendlebury (34 possessions), Adam Treloar (27 disposals) and Taylor Adams, whose 24 touches featured three goals. Collingwood’s defence, marshalled by Brayden Maynard (30 disposals) and Jack Crisp (29 touches) stifled Adelaide’s attacking threats. AFL COLLINGWOOD is back in the top four after smashing Adelaide by 66 points and leaving the Crows' finals chances on life support. The Magpies turned on the after-burners in the third quarter with six unanswered goals in 22 minutes on their way to a dominant 17.12 (114) to 6.12 (48) victory at Adelaide Oval on Saturday. The game was up for grabs at half-time with the Magpies leading by 17 points before they gained control of the midfield through Adam Treloar and captain Scott Pendlebury to give their versatile attack avenues to score. Small forward Jamie Elliott (five goals) ran riot, Josh Thomas chipped in with three and Travis Varcoe and Will Hoskin-Elliott were also dangerous, kicking two each. Despite nursing a massive injury list, the Magpies (14-7) have won three games in a row to move ahead of Richmond in fourth spot on the ladder. The Age Resurgent Collingwood enhanced their top-four claims and dismissed wayward, dispirited Adelaide as an absolute finals pretender after annihilating the Crows on Saturday. The Magpies’ third consecutive victory, among their most convincing of 2019, saw them, for now, leapfrog Richmond into fourth spot on the ladder, ahead of the Tigers’ clash with West Coast on Sunday. Jamie Elliott (five goals) enjoyed an electrifying third quarter and gave hapless Luke Brown a bath while repeatedly isolated one-on-one in the square, while Adam Treloar, Scott Pendlebury and Taylor Adams had by far the better of their Crows engine-room counterparts.

2019 Round 22: The Team & Preview

2019 AFL Round 22 COLLINGWOOD v ADELAIDE Time & Place: Saturday August 17, 4:35pm AEST Adelaide Oval TV: Fox Footy 4:30pm AEST Weather: Min 10 Max 20 Chance of rain: 60% 1-5mm Wind: NNW 15kph Betting: Collingwood $2.25 Adelaide $1.63

B: Levi Greenwood, Matthew Scharenberg, Jeremy Howe

HB: Jack Crisp, Jack Madgen, Brayden Maynard

C: Tom Phillips, Scott Pendlebury, Chris Mayne

HF: Callum L. Brown, Brody Mihocek, Will Hoskin-Elliott

F: Jamie Elliott, Jordan Roughead, Steele Sidebottom

Foll: Brodie Grundy, Adam Treloar, Taylor Adams

I/C: John Noble, Josh Thomas, Travis Varcoe, Rupert Wills

Emg: Tyler Brown, Ben Crocker, Josh Daicos, Mark Keane

In: John Noble
Out: Josh Daicos (Omitted)

Milestones: Levi Greenwood - Playing 150th game

Collingwood News John Noble to replace Josh Daicos against Adelaide Collingwood has regained John Noble for the clash against Adelaide on Saturday afternoon. The dashing half back returns to the line-up for his second AFL game after sustaining a calf injury in his debut against West Coast. Noble has been an outstanding contributor to Collingwood’s VFL side in recent weeks and replaces Josh Daicos who has been omitted from the trip to Adelaide Oval. “He’s a chance and has played some really good footy recently,” Buckley told reporters on Thursday. Levi Greenwood is set to play his 150th AFL game after starting his career at North Melbourne in 2009. The 30-year-old was drafted to Collingwood in 2014 and has played 75 games in the black and white. Collingwood have named Tyler Brown, Josh Daicos, Ben Crocker and Mark Keane as the emergencies. Brown and Daicos will travel with the team to Adelaide. The first bounce is set for 4.05pm (Adelaide time), with the Adelaide Oval expected to attract 43,000 fans. Jordan De Goey (hamstring), Darcy Moore (hamstring) and Jaidyn Stephenson (suspension) were unavailable for selection.

AFL Preview Round 22 Collingwood v Adelaide What it means for Adelaide: The Crows – who sit out of the top eight on percentage - could kiss their finals chances goodbye if they lose to the Magpies. A win potentially has them as high as seventh by the end of the weekend. What it means for Collingwood: A win could push the Magpies up to fourth if Richmond loses to West Coast. But if the Magpies lose to the Crows, and the Tigers beat the Eagles, then the double chance in the finals is gone. Adam Treloar Leading the League with 33.9 disposals per game The stat: This is just the fifth game the Magpies have played outside Victoria this season. They are 3-1 away from their home state, having beaten Brisbane, Sydney and West Coast on the road, but lost to Greater Western Sydney at Giants Stadium in round 18. The match-up: Matt Crouch v Adam Treloar The Crows don't employ a tagger so will back their midfielders to get on top of the Magpies. Crouch (82nd overall in the Official AFL Player Ratings) is coming off a massive 43 disposals against West Coast, while Treloar (18th overall) is leading the League with 33.9 disposals per game. It's a big week for: Sam Jacobs Not only is it his 200th game, but the experienced Crows ruckman will have his hands full against Magpies star Brodie Grundy. Jacobs was strong in his return game against West Coast last week – his first appearance at senior level since round two – and will be better for the run. Big call: Crows co-captain Taylor Walker kicks four goals, including two in the last term, to keep his side's finals chances alive against an undermanned Magpies. Prediction: Crows by five points

2019: LADDER ROUND 21

Pos Position     P Played     Pts Points     % Percentage     W Won

L Lost     D Drawn     F Points For     A Points Against

2019 Round 21: Collingwood 70 Melbourne 53

THE FACTS

2019 AFL Round 22 COLLINGWOOD v ADELAIDE Time & Place: Saturday August 17, 4:35pm AEST Adelaide Oval TV: Fox Footy 4:30pm AEST Weather: Min 9 Max 17 Chance of rain: 16% 0mm Wind: N 20kph Betting: Collingwood $2.08 Adelaide $1.75

COLLINGWOOD   0.5.5   5.6.36   9.8.62   10.10.70 
MELBOURNE      1.4.10   2.6.18   3.8.26     7.11.53

GOALS - Collingwood: Mihocek 4, Pendlebury 2, Varcoe 2, Thomas, Crisp

BEST - Collingwood: Treloar, Grundy, Mihocek, Pendlebury, Sidebottom, Howe

INJURIES - Collingwood: Daicos (concussion)

REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil

OFFICIAL CROWD - 31,903 at the MCG

What The Pies Coach Said "We were very passive in the last quarter. And I think that's probably not a bad reminder, too. That you need to take the game on, remain aggressive, proactive, because as soon as you sit back, you give the impetus to the opposition. ... The players are already talking about it (Q4). ... We were able to play the way that we wanted to play for the most part. We looked at Melbourne's players and the talent that they have at their disposal, you look on paper and think 'they're a challenge'. ... We understood that this game wasn't going to win itself. We had to really grind that out in the second and third quarters." – Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley

Media Clippings Fox Footy Collingwood remain in the hunt for a top-four finish after consigning Melbourne to more misery with a 17-point defeat at the MCG. Midfield leaders Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom were the key architects of Saturday’s 10.10 (70) to 7.11 (53) victory, which lifted the Magpies to fourth on the ladder. Pendlebury finished with 23 disposals and two goals, Sidebottom gathered 28 touches and Brody Mihocek booted four majors. AFL COLLINGWOOD is slowly lurching out of its form slump in time for finals. Nathan Buckley's men were slow out of the blocks again on Saturday at the MCG, but a five-goal-to-one second term instigated a 10.10 (70) to 7.11 (53) victory over struggling Melbourne.  A late red-and-blue flurry reduced the final margin to 17 after it stretched to 42 early in the fourth quarter. The Age At least it didn’t snow. But it was no one’s idea of a classic. Melbourne and Collingwood played to a two-thirds empty house and the standard was befitting of the big snub. The first 25 minutes were goalless, and it only rarely improved from there. The Magpies extracted what they needed, clinging to the thread of a premiership chance with a bunch of first-choice players missing with a 17-point victory. They will at least play finals at 13-7. For Melbourne, the end of a dreadful season cannot come quickly enough. Their supporters are already well and truly on the road, with just 31,903 turning out, the lowest Melbourne-Collingwood crowd since the days of Victoria Park. That Collingwood won amounted to a triumph of their midfield, for in the swirling winds, it was not a day for forwards. The Magpies won through weight of possession and created enough chances to eke out a winning score. Herald Sun The Pies were no oil painting — starting and finishing poorly — but ultimately forced themselves back inside the top four. ... Collingwood’s ability to hang tough in the face of an injury crisis at the pointy end of the ladder is reminiscent of last year. ... Collingwood will persist with the experiment of playing Jordan Roughead forward, with coach Nathan Buckley “encouraged enough” with his new-look attack against Melbourne. In the absence of fellow big man Mason Cox, who will miss the rest of the season with an eye injury, Roughead started forward against the Demons having spent the rest of the year in defence.

2019 Round 21: The Team & Preview

2019 AFL Round 21 COLLINGWOOD v MELBOURNE Time & Place: Saturday August 10, 1:45pm AEST MCG TV: Fox Footy 1:30pm AEST Weather: Min 5 Max 11 Chance of rain: 80% 10-20mm Wind: WSW 25kph Betting: Collingwood $1.44 Melbourne $2.75

B: Brayden Maynard, Jordan Roughead, Jeremy Howe

HB: Jack Crisp, Matthew Scharenberg, Chris Mayne

C: Tom Phillips, Scott Pendlebury, Josh Daicos

HF: Callum L. Brown, Brody Mihocek, Travis Varcoe 

F: Jamie Elliott, Will Hoskin-Elliott, Steele Sidebottom 

Foll: Brodie Grundy, Adam Treloar, Taylor Adams 

I/C: Levi Greenwood, Jack Madgen, Josh Thomas, Rupert Wills

Emg: Tim Broomhead, Tyler Brown, Ben Crocker, John Noble

In: Jack Madgen
Out: Mason Cox (Injured)

Collingwood News Jack Madgen returns to the AFL side for the first time since round 10. Collingwood has called up defender Jack Madgen for Saturday’s clash with Melbourne at the MCG. The 26-year-old will provide the Magpies with much needed height after Mason Cox was ruled out for the remainder of the season after having surgery to repair a torn retina. After booting four goals last week, Will Hoskin-Elliott lines up at full forward and is set to go head-to-head with Melbourne’s Oscar McDonald. In what will be one of the most anticipated ruck contests of the season, Brodie Grundy and Max Gawn are in career best form and sit among the top 3 on the AFL Player Ratings. Collingwood have named Tim Broomhead, Tyler Brown, Ben Crocker and John Noble as the emergencies. The first bounce is set for 1.45pm, with the MCG expected to attract 45,000 fans. Jordan De Goey (hamstring), Darcy Moore (hamstring) and Jaidyn Stephenson (suspension) were unavailable for selection.

AFL Preview Round 21 Collingwood v Melbourne Jeremy Howe: Mark of the Year contender What it means for Melbourne: Not much more to salvage but pride from this disappointing year. A win over traditional rivals Collingwood would be a sweet note to take into the end of a sour season. What it means for Collingwood: The push for top four continues for the Pies after their percentage-boosting win over Gold Coast. Can almost guarantee a top-six finish with a win against Melbourne. The stat: Collingwood's biggest strength is its ability to win the ball. The Magpies lead the competition in average disposals with 403.6 a game. By contrast, Melbourne is in 13th position with an average of 363.1 touches per match. The match-up: Max Gawn v Brodie Grundy Everyone's favourite ruck battle. Gawn is ranked the best player in the competition in the AFL Player Ratings, while Grundy is sitting 3rd overall. Both were Virgin Australia AFL All Australians last year, with Gawn pipping Grundy for the starting ruck role. It's a big week for: Braydon Preuss The ruck recruit was always going to struggle to get a match ahead of Gawn but is now desperately needed as a key forward due to Melbourne's injury woes. Didn't make much of an impact against Richmond and the Dees need a marking target. Big call: Jeremy Howe loves a hanger, especially against his old side. Don't be surprised if the JLT Mark of the Year is taken in this match. Prediction: Magpies by 39 points