2019 Round 11: The Team & Preview

2019 AFL Round 11 COLLINGWOOD v FREMANTLE Time & Place: Saturday June 1, 1:45pm MCG TV: Fox Footy 1:30pm Weather: Min 11 Max 15 Chance of rain: 50% <1mm Wind: SW 10kph Betting: Collingwood $1.16 Fremantle $4.80

B: Brayden Maynard, Jordan Roughead, Levi Greenwood

HB: Jack Crisp, Darcy Moore, Jeremy Howe

C: Tom Phillips, Scott Pendlebury, Chris Mayne

HF: Josh Thomas, Ben Reid, Will Hoskin-Elliott

F: Jaidyn Stephenson, Brody Mihocek, Jordan De Goey

Foll: Brodie Grundy, Steele Sidebottom, Adam Treloar

I/C: Dayne Beams, Callum L. Brown, James Aish, Travis Varcoe

Emg: Rupert Wills, Isaac Quaynor, Josh Daicos, Jack Madgen

In: Darcy Moore, Jordan De Goey, Travis Varcoe
Out: Rupert Wills (Omitted), Jack Madgen (Omitted), Daniel Wells (Injured)

Collingwood News Jordan De Goey to play against Fremantle. Collingwood welcomes back firepower at both ends of the ground with Jordan De Goey, Darcy Moore and Travis Varcoe selected to face Fremantle at the MCG on Saturday afternoon. De Goey completed the main training session at the Holden Centre on Thursday and was subsequently declared fit to play. Moore has overcome a minor ankle injury, and Magpie fans will be eager to see him return to the form that has seen the defender develop into one of the best intercepting defenders in the competition in 2019. Travis Varcoe returns from suspension and will pull on the Indigenous guernsey designed by his sister-in-law that was inspired by his late sister, Maggie. The in-form Magpies will look to post eight consecutive wins, which would be a new high for Nathan Buckley since taking the reins as coach. The first bounce is set for 1.45pm, with the MCG expected to attract 44,000 fans. Rupert Wills, Isaac Quaynor, Josh Daicos, Jack Madgen have been named as the emergencies for Collingwood. Taylor Adams (groin) and Jamie Elliott (hamstring) were unavailable for selection.

AFL Preview Round 11 Collingwood v Fremantle Last time they met: Optus Stadium, round 23, 2018: Fremantle 9.13 (67) lost to Collingwood 11.10 (76) The Magpies had to win the final-round clash against the lowly Dockers to secure a top-four berth, but they trailed by eight points midway through the last quarter before conjuring the last three goals, two of them in quick succession to Brody Mihocek. Steele Sidebottom and Scott Pendlebury had it on a string. What it means for Collingwood: The understrength Pies have done just enough against ordinary opposition in recent weeks but, given they slaughtered the Dockers at the 'G last year, this could be a chance to close the percentage gap with top team Geelong. What it means for Fremantle: In their first of just two MCG fixtures for the season, the Dockers will be keen to prove their top-eight credentials by claiming one of the competition's biggest scalps. How Collingwood wins: Gun ruckman Brodie Grundy will continue to provide a wealth of opportunities to a deep running brigade, which in turn will serve quality scoring opportunities to a flexible attack. Their familiarity with the MCG should not be understated. How Fremantle wins: Rory Lobb to break even with Grundy and trouble him with his leap, enabling skipper Nat Fyfe and veteran David Mundy to gain the ascendancy around stoppages and distribute to their pacy runners. The stat: The Pies have won their past four against Freo, and their past six against them at the MCG, including a 61-point shellacking there in their corresponding clash last year. The match-up: Nat Fyfe v Scott Pendlebury The opposing skippers, who were AFLX teammates in Fyfe's Flyers team in February, appear set to lock horns in a duel that could shape the outcome. Pendlebury (No.23 in the Official AFL Player Ratings) is likely to be assigned responsibility for Fyfe (No.2) at stoppages – an appetising prospect for football purists. It’s a big week for: Chris Mayne The former Docker figured in both wins over his previous club last year but had little of the ball as he played predominantly defensive roles. The former forward will be keen to show how far he has come as a ball-generating, link-up wingman. Big call: Freo's after-the-siren hero Michael Walters will produce contenders for both the Mark of the Year and Goal of the Year. Prediction: Pies by 29 points

2019: LADDER ROUND 10

Pos Position     P Played     Pts Points     % Percentage     W Won

L Lost     D Drawn     F Points For     A Points Against

2019 Round 10: Collingwood 80 Sydney Swans 73

THE FACTS

2019 AFL Round 11 COLLINGWOOD v FREMANTLE Time & Place: Saturday June 1, 1:45pm MCG TV: Fox Footy 1:30pm Weather: Min 9 Max 17 Chance of rain: 0% 0mm Wind: SSW 15kph Betting: Collingwood $1.17 Fremantle $4.65

COLLINGWOOD   1.4.10   5.10.40   7.12.54   11.14.80
SYDNEY SWANS  3.1.19    5.1.31    10.2.62     11.7.73

GOALS - Collingwood: Wells 3, Brown 2, Mayne 2, Pendlebury, Stephenson, Mihocek, Reid

BEST - Collingwood: Pendlebury, Grundy, Crisp, Treloar, Greenwood, Mayne

INJURIES - Collingwood: Daniel Wells (knee)

REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil

OFFICIAL CROWD - 34,649 at the SCG

What The Pies Coach Said "The will to win has been really strong and we keep finding a way... We didn't expect anything different from what we got tonight. It was always going to be a heavily contested game. ... The players are the ones that believe there is no challenge that is insurmountable, or there is no challenge we can't overcome if we stick to our task. We're not going to win every game, but we are going to be competitive and impose our brand on it and give ourselves every chance." – Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley

Media Clippings AFL A possibly career-ending knee injury to veteran Daniel Wells has soured Collingwood's 11.14 (80) to 11.7 (73) come-from-behind win over Sydney at the SCG on Friday night. In his first game since round 11, 2018, the 34-year-old Magpie kicked three goals to remind the football world what he is capable of when fit, before his evening finished early in the third term. NEWS.com.au The game up for grabs in the dying stages, but a costly mistake by Dane Rampe gifted the Magpies a goal and sealed the result. The win for the Magpies was soured when Daniel Wells, who returned for the first time in almost a year, suffered a knee injury in the third quarter and took no further in the game. It makes it seven straight wins for Collingwood and further locks in their premiership credentials. Ruckman Brodie Grundy was once again an unstoppable force as he monstered the Swans big men with a staggering 64 hitouts to go along with 18 disposals. Fox Footy With the Pies leading the Swans by just two points at the SCG — with Nick Blakey having closed the margin late in their clash — Chris Mayne marked inside 50. And (Dane) Rampe was the man on the mark. In a bizarre, if entertaining, series of events, Rampe marked out where the ‘mark’ was on the ground, then did his very best to distract Mayne. The Swans co-captain ran from side to side, then looped towards the mark — before jumping right over it. While it had the desired effect — with Mayne missing his set shot — Rampe almost immediately was made to regret his actions, with the umpire paying a straightforward 50-metre penalty. Mayne was brought forward, and from point-blank range, made no mistake, giving the Pies an eight-point lead — and Rampe a moment to rue. Collingwood News ... Pies skipper Scott Pendlebury delivered another vintage outing to continue what has been another fine season. The Magpies took advantage of the absence of Swans midfield duo Josh Kennedy (left knee) and George Hewett (concussion) in the final term, stringing together their seventh-straight win, 11.14 (80) to 11.7 (73). In the ruck, Brodie Grundy was simply excellent, putting it down the throats of his teammates time and again, with Adam Treloar (38 disposals) among the beneficiaries. Sydney led by 10 early in the final term as they eyed off an unlikely upset, but Callum Sinclair and Will Hayward were made to rue misses after having their shots at goal set up by Reid. Hard-working wingman Chris Mayne kicked a unique goal, volleying through a high Ben Reid pass while lying on the ground. Then seconds later, Callum Brown put on a burst of speed to give his team a lead it wouldn't concede. Wide World Of Sports Luckless Collingwood veteran Daniel Wells has suffered yet another knee injury in his first AFL game since Round 12 last season. After being traded by North Melbourne, Wells' tenure as a Magpie has been cruelled by multiple injuries and he limped off yet again in the Magpies' 11. 14. (80) to 11. 7. (73) at the SCG. Wells was chasing a loose ball on the wing in the third quarter when his left knee landed heavily on the turf after a tackle from Sydney's Jackson Thurlow. The 34-year-old tried to knock the side of his left knee with his hand before eventually limping off with the assistance of the Magpies' medical staff. The Age The 11.14 (80) to 11.7 (73) result sealed win number seven in a row for Collingwood, and no doubt came as a massive relief for coach Nathan Buckley, who was without seven of the 22 players who ran out in last year’s grand final. ... Collingwood dominated the key metrics, including contested possessions (153-138), inside 50s (63-47) and clearances (48-39), and would have dominated the scoreboard too were it not for wonky kicking. There was only so long that the Swans could hold out a team posting those sort of numbers, and it was to their credit that they did so to the dying moments.

2019 Round 10: The Team & Preview

2019 AFL Round 10 COLLINGWOOD v SWANS Time & Place: Friday May 24, 7:50pm SCG TV: 7mate / Fox Footy 7:30pm Weather: Min 15 Max 19 Chance of rain: 80% 1-5mm Wind: N 7kph Betting: Collingwood $1.36 Swans $3.00

B: Brayden Maynard, Jordan Roughead, Levi Greenwood

HB: Jack Crisp, Jeremy Howe, Jack Madgen

C: Steele Sidebottom, Scott Pendlebury, Tom Phillips

HF: Josh Thomas, Ben Reid, Will Hoskin-Elliott

F: Jaidyn Stephenson, Brody Mihocek, Daniel Wells

Foll: Brodie Grundy, Dayne Beams, Rupert Wills

I/C: Chris Mayne, Adam Treloar, James Aish, Callum L. Brown

Emg: Brayden Sier, Isaac Quaynor, Josh Daicos, Ben Crocker

In: Jack Madgen, Daniel Wells
Out: Travis Varcoe (Suspension), Tom Langdon (Injured)

Collingwood News Daniel Wells to play against Sydney Swans Collingwood welcomes back Daniel Wells and Jack Madgen for the Sir Doug Nicholls Round clash against Sydney at the SCG on Friday night. Wells makes his long-awaited return to the senior side after injuring his foot at the MCG in the Queen’s Birthday game last year. After building consistent form in the VFL, the 34-year-old gets an opportunity to pull on the indigenous guernsey designed by Travis Varcoe’s sister-in-law. “I’m going to wear it with as much pride as possible. A lot of work has gone into it, a lot of thought and a lot of love. I can't wait to try do it justice,” Wells said. Madgen has been elevated to the senior list to replace Lynden Dunn who has been placed on the long-term injury list. The tall defender has impressed in the VFL in recent weeks and will play a vital role in the absence of Darcy Moore and Tom Langdon. Jordan De Goey and Taylor Adams both trained at the Holden Centre on Wednesday but were unable to prove their fitness for selection. The first bounce is set for 7.50pm, with the SCG expected to attract 40,000 fans. Isaac Quaynor and Josh Daicos are the travelling emergencies. The pair will return to Melbourne to play in the VFL on Saturday. Mason Cox (ankle), Jamie Elliott (hamstring) and Darcy Moore (ankle) were unavailable for selection.

AFL Preview Round 10 Collingwood v Sydney Swans Last time they met: SCG, round 20, 2018: Sydney 11.7 (73) defeated Colingwood 10.11 (71) Alex Johnson made an emotional return to senior footy to inspire his side to a thrilling win. Lance Franklin's six goals were the difference and he was awarded the three Brownlow medal votes, but young forward Tom McCartin was the hero. The Pies kicked three late goals to snatch the lead before McCartin booted a goal while lying on his back to give Sydney the victory. What it means for Sydney: Two close wins over the past two weeks has given the young Swans confidence but they'll face a much sterner test from the Pies. It will show them exactly where they stand. What it means for Collingwood: With the four teams just one game behind them on the ladder all facing tough challenges this weekend, a Pies win could give them a handy eight-point buffer in second spot in an incredibly even season. How Sydney wins:  The Swans can't match Collingwood's star-studded side for talent or experience, but they've shown over the past fortnight if they scrap and pressure the opposition, they can be more than competitive. How Collingwood wins: The Pies midfield is full of stars and with a dominant ruckman in Brodie Grundy, it looks to have far more dangerous players than the Swans can cover. If Grundy gets on top of Callum Sinclair, he'll be a match-winner. The stat: Collingwood faced a serious challenge from St Kilda last week but showed it was a class above the Saints in the final term. The Pies kicked 6.6 to one goal in the last quarter to show just how powerful they can be. The match-up: Callum Sinclair v Brodie Grundy The Swan hasn't been able to match his 2018 form this year but has improved his output in the past month, and he'll need to be at his very best to match Grundy around the ground and at stoppages. If the big Magpie imposes himself physically on the contest his fleet of gun onballers will destroy the home side. It’s a big week for: George Hewett The Swans midfielder won 20 contested possessions and nine clearances against North Melbourne last week and is more than just a stopper these days. Hewett will get another huge job on Friday night on Scott Pendlebury, Dayne Beams or Adam Treloar, or could even be thrown onto the wing to try to curb the influence of Steele Sidebottom. Big call: Inspired by his brother Ben's return to senior footy with Collingwood, Swan Sam Reid will emerge from his form slump to boot six goals for the home side, while Ben will boot four. Prediction: Collingwood by 28 points

2019: LADDER ROUND 9

Pos Position     P Played     Pts Points     % Percentage     W Won

L Lost     D Drawn     F Points For     A Points Against

2019 Round 9: Collingwood 112 St Kilda 71

THE FACTS

2019 AFL Round 10 COLLINGWOOD v SWANS Time & Place: Friday May 24, 7:50pm SCG TV: 7mate / Fox Footy 7:30pm Weather: Min 15 Max 23 Chance of rain: 2% 0mm Wind: NW 7kph Betting: Collingwood $1.28 Swans $3.45

COLLINGWOOD   3.1.19   6.2.38   11.4.70   17.10.112
ST KILDA                1.3.9   4.9.33   9.11.65     10.11.71

GOALS - Collingwood: Mihocek 4, Reid 3, Stephenson 3, Sidebottom 2, Thomas 2, Varcoe 2, Hoskin-Elliott

BEST - Collingwood: Grundy, Sidebottom, Treloar, Crisp, Mihocek, Reid

INJURIES - Collingwood: De Goey (shin soreness) replaced in selected side by Wills, Moore (ankle) replaced in selected side by Aish, Langdon (knee)

REPORTS - Collingwood: Travis Varcoe reported for rough contact on Ed Phillips

OFFICIAL CROWD - 60,702 at the MCG

What The Pies Coach Said "St Kilda's brand is high energy. They're quick, they're fit and the pressure they put on us was obvious to all. We weren't able to handle it throughout that first half, but I thought our maturity to be able to control the game through our ball use after half-time was as good as we've seen it. It was a really mature response to the situation and it was pretty sustained over that hour of footy, culminating in a pretty dominant last quarter." – Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley

Media Clippings AFL The Magpies were tested for a second straight week, although not for as long as against Carlton, and have now banked six wins on the trot. The moment that summed up the change in fortunes came just before the clock ticked over to seven minutes in the fourth quarter. James Aish, one of two late Collingwood inclusions, sent a scrappy kick forward and Steele Sidebottom gathered at pace, turned and left befuddled Saints Jack Billings and Shane Savage in his wake. Sidebottom trotted inside 50 and split the middle for the second of the Magpies' six final-term goals. It was party time once second-year forward Jaidyn Stephenson launched a torpedo several rows back from 55m for the sixth of them to put Collingwood 46 points clear. NEWS.com.au Collingwood burst out of the blocks in the first quarter, before St Kilda turned the tides and had Pies fans on the edge of their seats. The teams went into the final term only separated by five points with the game well and truly up for grabs. But it was all one-way traffic in the fourth quarter as the Pies ran in five unanswered goals to claim the 17.10 (112) to 10.11 (71) win. The win lifts Collingwood into second place on the ladder and pushes their current win streak to six games. Fox Footy Collingwood lost Jordan De Goey and Darcy Moore hours before the opening bounce, but they didn’t lack any star power against St Kilda on Saturday as they cruised to a sixth straight win to draw level with Geelong on top of the ladder. In the absence of two of the Magpies’ most important players, reigning Copeland Trophy winners Steele Sidebottom and Brodie Grundy and star midfielder Adam Treloar continued their great seasons to get the job done. And just like on the same patch of grass against Carlton seven days earlier, Collingwood took until the final quarter to put some space between themselves and St Kilda. The Magpies were only five points in front at the final break before they put the foot down in the last 30 minutes, slotting six unanswered goals at the start of the last term to put the game to bed in the 41-point win. Collingwood News The result came despite Collingwood stars Jordan De Goey (shin) and Darcy Moore (ankle) being late withdrawals and defender Tom Langdon (knee) sitting out the second half. Langdon is in doubt for Friday night's clash with the Swans in Sydney, but another more welcome headache is emerging with the Pies' forward stocks. Mason Cox (ankle) missed a third game in a row, and his replacement, Ben Reid, was one of Collingwood's best players with 16 disposals (10 contested), seven marks and three goals. Reid was similarly impressive a fortnight ago, when he generated five shots at goal, while Brody Mihocek impressed again with four majors against the Saints. Whether Buckley is prepared to play them in the same side remains to be seen.  Wide World Of Sports When Varcoe kicked a goal early in the second term to put the Magpies 15 points up, it looked like they would take the game away from St Kilda. But the Saints went on to dominate the quarter in every aspect, except where it mattered most - the scoreboard. They hit the lead briefly, but a late goal to Sidebottom had the Pies leading by five points at the main break. St Kilda kicked 3.6 to 3.1 in the second term and should have been at least a couple of goals ahead. The third quarter was a shootout as the game opened up, with five goals apiece, and the Magpies went into the last term with a five-point lead. The Age In a week where the lack of scoring again became an issue, whatever elements combined to produce a 10-goal combined third term by Collingwood and St Kilda should be bottled and preserved. It was end-to-end football, with both sides benefiting from the new 6-6-6 rule, not to mention what appeared to be less officious umpiring. The perfect Autumnal conditions and 60,072 fans at the MCG also helped - not that this would have been on the minds of Saints coach Alan Richardson and his players on Saturday night, for the joy of the third term morphed into the shock of a six-goal-to-one final quarter, and a stinging 41-point loss against an opponent that was a man down in the second half.

2019 Round 9: The Team & Preview

2019 AFL Round 9 COLLINGWOOD v ST KILDA Time & Place: Saturday May 18, 1:45pm MCG TV: Fox Footy 1:30pm Weather: Min 7 Max 20 Chance of rain: 5% <1mm Wind: S 2kph Betting: Collingwood $1.22 St Kilda $4.00

B: Brayden Maynard, Jordan Roughead, Jeremy Howe

HB: Jack Crisp, Darcy Moore, Tom Langdon

C: Chris Mayne, Scott Pendlebury, Tom Phillips

HF: Josh Thomas, Ben Reid, Callum L. Brown

F: Jaidyn Stephenson, Brody Mihocek, Jordan De Goey

Foll: Brodie Grundy, Steele Sidebottom, Adam Treloar

I/C: Dayne Beams, Travis Varcoe, Levi Greenwood, Will Hoskin-Elliott

Emg: Daniel Wells, Isaac Quaynor, James Aish, Rupert Wills

In: Dayne Beams, Travis Varcoe
Out: Rupert Wills (Omitted), Jamie Elliott (Injured)

Collingwood News Dayne Beams to play against St Kilda Collingwood welcomes back experienced duo Dayne Beams and Travis Varcoe for round nine against St Kilda at the MCG on Saturday afternoon. After sustaining a hip issue that left him out of round eight, Beams trained strongly at the Holden Centre on Thursday morning. Varcoe will replace Jamie Elliott, who is managing a hamstring injury from the win over Carlton. The first bounce is set for 1.45pm, with the MCG expected to attract 50,000 fans. Daniel Wells, Isaac Quaynor, James Aish and Rupert Wills have been named as emergencies. Mason Cox and Taylor Adams were unavailable for selection.

AFL Preview Round 9 Collingwood v St Kilda Last time they met: Marvel Stadium, round nine, 2018: St Kilda 10.12 (72) lost to Collingwood 15.10 (100) The Saints surprised the Pies by scoring four successive goals to lead by eight points early in the third term before Collingwood rattled on seven of the next eight en route to a 28-point win. Woods star Jordan De Goey bagged a career-best six goals. What it means for Collingwood: A chance to make amends for a sluggish performance against Carlton and to maintain pressure on top side Geelong. What it means for St Kilda: An opportunity to break a three-game losing streak and claim a big scalp in the process. How Collingwood wins: Ruck dominance and a vast spread of scoring options. How St Kilda wins: Fanatical ferocity at the contest, full-field accountability and the kind of stoppage ascendancy Carlton had over the Pies for periods last round. The stat: Since St Kilda held Collingwood to an atrocious total of 4.17 (41) on its way to a 28-point win at Docklands in round three, 2010, the Magpies have triumphed in four of their past five meetings there by an average of 40 points. The match-up: Jack Billings v Levi Greenwood. With Billings (ranked No.177 in the Official AFL Player Ratings) being a terrific playmaker for the Saints, the Pies could consider reassigning Greenwood (No.391) to his old tagging role. It's a big week for: Josh Thomas After enjoying a breakout 38-goal season last year, the classy small forward has been steady without being spectacular, tallying eight goals in the opening eight rounds. Slotted at least three goals on six occasions last year but is yet to do it once this year. This could be his day. Big call: Saints hold sway until the final change when the Pies again explode with a match-winning burst. Prediction: Magpies by 29 points

2019: LADDER ROUND 8

Pos Position     P Played     Pts Points     % Percentage     W Won

L Lost     D Drawn     F Points For     A Points Against

2019 Round 8: Collingwood 106 Carlton 87

THE FACTS

2019 AFL Round 9 COLLINGWOOD v ST KILDA Time & Place: Saturday May 18, 1:45pm MCG TV: Fox Footy 1:30pm Weather: Min 11 Max 21 Chance of rain: 5% 0mm Wind: N 17kph Betting: Collingwood $1.17 St Kilda $4.65

COLLINGWOOD   2.1.13   5.6.36    9.9.63   16.10.106
CARLTON              1.4.10   5.6.36  10.8.68      13.9.87

GOALS - Collingwood: Hoskin-Elliott 2, Phillips 2, De Goey 2, Brown 2, Stephenson 2, Grundy 2, Crisp, Treloar, Mihocek, Thomas

BEST - Collingwood: Treloar, Phillips, Sidebottom, Grundy, Crisp, Brown

INJURIES - Collingwood: Mayne (concussion), Thomas (ankle)

REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil

OFFICIAL CROWD - 69,289 at the MCG

What The Pies Coach Said "It depends what prism you want to look at it. If you thought it was a done deal, if you thought the game was already played, then you'll look at it through that prism. But if you look at it the way we did as a game that had to be won, then we're really happy with the capacity of the players in that last 10-15 minutes to go and get it done. When you get that far in it's not about talent any more or structure or set ups, it's about who wants to win most, and it was us.' – Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley

Media Clippings AFL IT WAS football's version of rope-a-dope. Carlton outplayed Collingwood for three quarters of Saturday's clash at the MCG. The Blues were energetic, enthusiastic and exciting. They kicked big goals, whipped the crowd into a frenzy and threatened to snare perhaps the biggest victory of Brendon Bolton's tenure at the club. They even jumped to an 11-point lead at the 20-minute mark of the final quarter. And then, just as Carlton could start thinking about a memorable win, Collingwood went bang. The Pies booted the final five goals of the game to register a 19-point win over their arch rivals, with late majors to Jordan De Goey, Tom Phillips and Will Hoskin-Elliott sealing the victory. NEWS.com.au The blockbuster between Collingwood and Carlton has been soured by horrific crowd behaviour after multiple fights broke out in the stands at the MCG. It marks the second time in the last week where a fight has unfolded at the MCG either during or after a game. Several calls to 3AW painted an ugly picture of the scenes that unfolded in bays M11 and M12, the two bays are generally where Carlton members sit. “There were four, full-on fights where people were knocked out,” one caller said on 3AW Football. “Security didn’t react quick enough so members of the public had to get in to stop these fights.” Fox Footy But Collingwood’s stars, when it mattered most, stepped up. Brodie Grundy was immense for the Pies in the ruck, finishing with 49 hit-outs, 25 disposals and two goals. It was the first time Grundy had kicked multiple goals in a game for Collingwood since a loss to the Giants in Round 2 of 2018. Tom Phillips, Steele Sidebottom and Adam Treloar all had 34 disposals, while the Blues didn’t really have an answer for De Goey’s X-factor – both in the middle and up forward – throughout the day. Collingwood News While Carlton had plenty of contributors, Collingwood's spread of performers in the big moments proved critical. Treloar (34 disposals), Phillips (34 and two goals) and Steele Sidebottom (34) were enormous in a midfield unit fed by star ruckman Brodie Grundy (25 disposals, two goals, 49 hit-outs), but it was never easy going for the Magpies, who always remained close enough to Carlton despite not being at their sharpest.  Wide World Of Sports Carlton's week of soul-searching, scrutiny and off-field drama has ended in heartbreak at the MCG, failing to overcome bitter AFL rivals Collingwood in an agonising 19-point defeat. In one of the most gripping contests of the season, the Blues led by 11 points midway through Saturday afternoon's final term and threatened to pull off a massive upset before the Magpies surged home to claim a 16.10 (106) to 13.9 (87) victory. The result leaves the Blues stranded at the bottom of the ladder with just one win for 2019 and four from their past 40 games. "Last three times we played these guys the game has been decided within four goals so we knew what we were going to get," Scott Pendlebury said. "Credit to our boys for playing it all the way to the end. "I thought our boys played our brand of footy all the way through." The Age Collingwood expect Mason Cox to be in line for selection (against St Kilda) after missing the past two weeks with a foot injury, however Chris Mayne will need to be assessed after he was concussed when he copped a boot to the head from Sidebottom. Matchwinner Jordan De Goey also finished with ice on his shin at the end of the game after kicking the sealer late in the last quarter, with Buckley saying the Magpies were merely managing him.

2019 Round 8: The Team & Preview

2019 AFL Round 8 COLLINGWOOD v CARLTON Time & Place: Saturday May 11, 1:45pm MCG TV: Fox Footy 1:30pm Weather: Min 9 Max 17 Chance of rain: 40% <1mm Wind: WSW 13kph Betting: Collingwood $1.09 Carlton $7.00

B: Brayden Maynard, Jordan Roughead, Jeremy Howe

HB: Jack Crisp, Darcy Moore, Tom Langdon

C: Steele Sidebottom, Scott Pendlebury, Tom Phillips

HF: Josh Thomas, Ben Reid, Jamie Elliott

F: Jaidyn Stephenson, Brody Mihocek, Jordan De Goey

Foll: Brodie Grundy, Rupert Wills, Adam Treloar

I/C: Chris Mayne, Callum L. Brown, Levi Greenwood, Will Hoskin-Elliott

Emg: Travis Varcoe, Isaac Quaynor, Ben Crocker, Max Lynch

In: Rupert Wills, Chris Mayne
Out: Dayne Beams (Injured), Taylor Adams (Injured

Collingwood News Chris Mayne's named in the Collingwood line-up after making a remarkable recovery from a back injury. Collingwood welcomes back Rupert Wills for his first game in 657 days and Chris Mayne for round eight against Carlton at the MCG on Saturday afternoon. The persistence shown by Wills is exceptional, playing his last senior game in round 18, 2017. Collingwood coach, Nathan Buckley, has been impressed with the inside midfielder’s VFL efforts and is an ideal fit to suit the midfield dynamics. "He's probably the best-performed of our mids in the VFL and has been around the mark for a couple of weeks now, so that would probably be the first port of call," Buckley said. "Getting that balance right between insiders and outsiders is crucial as well so that's in our consideration." The 25-year-old deservingly gains a senior berth after displaying consistent form in the VFL, accumulating 120 disposals across four games this season. Wills comes in to the side for Taylor Adams, who sustained a groin injury against Port Adelaide. Mayne has made a phenomenal recovery since fractured a bone in his back in round four against the Western Bulldogs. The 30-year-old has spent the last month on the sidelines, however he proved his fitness at the Holden Centre on Thursday morning. Mayne will replace Dayne Beams, who is managing a sore hip. The first bounce is set for 1.45pm, with the MCG expected to attract 70,000 fans. Travis Varcoe, Isaac Quaynor, Ben Crocker and Max Lynch have been named as emergencies. James Aish was unavailable for selection (concussion).

AFL Preview Round 8 Collingwood v Carlton Last time they met: MCG, round 14, 2018: Collingwood 11.13 (79) defeated Carlton 9.5 (59) The Blues were within 14 points at the final change, only for Scott Pendlebury to eventually lead the Pies to victory. Patrick Cripps and Charlie Curnow combined for six goals as a young Carlton outfit gave Collingwood all it had, only to fall just short. What it means for Carlton: After a horror show against North Melbourne last weekend, Carlton simply must make a statement against the old enemy. Another shocking showing will ramp up the pressure on coach Brendon Bolton. What it means for Collingwood: Four straight wins have Collingwood within touching distance of top spot. Perhaps the team to beat this season, the Pies must avoid unnecessary slip-ups against the teams they should overcome. How Carlton wins: By getting its hands on the footy. North Melbourne had 128 more disposals than Carlton last Sunday. That's simply not good enough. The midfield will feel like it has a point to prove against one of the game's best onball groups. How Collingwood wins: By blowing its opponents away early once again. Collingwood had 10 more scoring shots than Port Adelaide in the first quarter alone on Friday night. Doing that to a dispirited Blues team will put the Pies on their way to victory. The stat: Scott Pendlebury has won more Brownlow votes against Carlton (21) than any other side. He got three more the last time they met. The match-up: Harry McKay v Darcy Moore Moore has conquered some of the game's best forwards this season and faces one of the game's most promising youngsters on Saturday. McKay has proved himself as one of the League's best contested marks and will need to be at his best to clunk a few this weekend. It's a big week for: Jacob Weitering (Carlton) With fellow key defender Liam Jones likely to be unavailable due to concussion, the pressure will ramp up on Weitering down back. He's set to take on one of the game's most versatile and dangerous forwards in Jordan De Goey. Big call: It gets ugly for Carlton. Prediction: Collingwood by 60 points

2019: LADDER ROUND 7

Pos Position     P Played     Pts Points     % Percentage     W Won

L Lost     D Drawn     F Points For     A Points Against

2019 Round 7: Collingwood 108 Port Adelaide 69

THE FACTS

2019 AFL Round 8 COLLINGWOOD v CARLTON Time & Place: Saturday May 11, 1:45pm MCG TV: Fox Footy 1:30pm Weather: Min 9 Max 16 Chance of rain: 60% 2mm Wind: W 15kph Betting: Collingwood $1.13 Carlton $6.05

COLLINGWOOD    7.6.48   8.12.60   11.17.83   15.18.108
PORT ADELAIDE     0.3.3     5.6.36      6.7.43       10.9.69

GOALS - Collingwood: Stephenson 4, Elliott 3, Mihocek 2, Beams, De Goey, Treloar, Hoskin-Elliott, Reid, Sidebottom

BEST - Collingwood: Pendlebury, Moore, Phillips, Treloar, Stephenson, Grundy, Langdon

INJURIES - Collingwood: Adams (groin)

REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil

OFFICIAL CROWD - 37,559 at Docklands

What The Pies Coach Said "That first 30 minutes was exceptional footy and you get to quarter-time and you've got nothing more to say other than, 'Geez, well done boys. That's our footy played at its best'. Twenty inside 50s, turning the ball over in your front half and nearly plus-20 in contested ball, we really imposed ourselves on the opposition and set the game up and set the game up when it counted." – Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley

Media Clippings AFL COLLINGWOOD has stamped itself as one of the teams to beat in 2019, shaking off inaccuracy to post its fourth-consecutive victory in a 39-point takedown of Port Adelaide at Docklands on Friday night. A first-quarter onslaught from the Magpies, which saw them slam home seven goals to Port Adelaide's none, set the stage for a highly-convincing win and one that showcased the full repertoire of a Collingwood side that looks likely to venture deep into September again. After a lacklustre start on a big Friday night stage, the Power closed the gap to 18 points early in the third term only to see the Magpies kick away to an imposing 15.18 (108) to 10.9 (69) victory and keep up with the AFL's pacesetters. The Age The Magpies set up the victory with a blistering first quarter in which they piled on seven unanswered goals to open up a 45-point lead at the first change – their equal-10th-biggest quarter-time advantage in 2540 VFL/AFL games. Jaidyn Stephenson was central to the first-quarter training drill, kicking three of his four goals in the first 15 minutes, as the Power back line struggled to handle his speed and pressure early while Scott Pendlebury, Brodie Grundy, Tom Phillips and Steele Sidebottom were terrific in the middle of the ground. Port Adelaide responded well in the second quarter and after being monstered in the contested situation, they got their hands dirty at the coal face, booting five goals in a row to cut the margin to 18 points early in the third quarter.\ However, the Magpies proceeded to reassert their dominance, kicking the next five goals to extend the margin to 52 points early in the final term and quash the Power’s resurgence. ABC News Port Adelaide became the latest AFL flag contender to step on a landmine, copping a 39-point shellacking from a dominant Collingwood at Docklands. Friday night's clash was billed as a thriller but was effectively all over at quarter-time when the red-hot Magpies kicked seven unanswered goals. The Power fought their way into the contest, scoring five straight majors either side of half-time to pare the margin back to three goals. But it was too little, too late with the Magpies finishing strongly to run out 15.18 (108) to 10.9 (69) winners and climb to second on the ladder. Collingwood will be sweating on the fitness of prime mover Taylor Adams, who limped from the ground early in the third quarter after pulling up sore in his left groin. NEWS.com.au Bruce McAvaney said on commentary that the Pies were definitely finals bound. “They’ve got September written on this team already,” the longtime caller opined and (Matthew) Richardson agreed, citing they and ladder leaders Geelong were a lot better than all the other teams. “They’re 10 to 15 per cent better than everyone else at the moment,” Richardson said. Fox Footy Jaidyn Stephenson is the Rising Star winner who continues to rise. The lightning quick, lightly built young gun burst out of the blocks on Friday night, turning off the Power in a dominant 15-minute patch that set up Collingwood’s 39-point win. While Jordan De Goey and Jamie Elliott attract the cameras and generate the headlines, Stephenson was the real star of the show at Docklands. The 20-year-old was unstoppable in the opening quarter, kicking 3.2 and getting involved in everything, before finishing with four goals from 14 disposals and six marks in a game where he was never far from the action. Collingwood News It was Jaidyn Stephenson who did the most damage. Last year's NAB AFL Rising Star winner kicked the first two goals of the game and had booted 3.2 by the opening change. His forward craft – when to lead, when to duck back, when to put in a dummy offering and help out a teammate and when to nudge his opponent to create space – was on show. Stephenson, after booting 38 goals in a stunning debut season last year, has been consistent if not electric early this season (he kicked seven goals in the opening six rounds). But the 20-year-old made the Power defence look baffled as he isolated Port defender Darcy Byrne-Jones and beat him one-on-one, before then being too quick on the lead for taller type Dougal Howard. He finished with four goals, his best bag of the year.  Wide World Of Sports An emotional Adam Treloar has dedicated Collingwood’s comprehensive Friday night win to a young fan suffering from brain cancer. Six-year-old Kyron McGuire captured the hearts of a nation during the week when footage surfaced of an emotional club visit where he got to meet his heroes, and McGuire was given the opportunity to take part in Collingwood’s pre-game festivities at Docklands. Speaking to Seven following the match, Treloar admitted that learning the story of McGuire’s condition was heartbreaking. “When I met him two days ago and I heard the story about the little fella, it breaks your heart and it makes you appreciate everything that we have,” he said.

2019 Round 7: The Team & Preview

2019 AFL Round 7 COLLINGWOOD v PORT ADELAIDE Time & Place: Friday May 3, 7:50pm Docklands TV: 7mate / Fox Footy 7:30pm Weather: Min 11 Max 20 Chance of rain: 50% < 1mm Wind: NW 14kph Betting: Collingwood $1.33 Port Adelaide $3.14

B: Brayden Maynard, Jordan Roughead, Jeremy Howe

HB: Jack Crisp, Darcy Moore, Tom Langdon

C: Steele Sidebottom, Scott Pendlebury, Tom Phillips

HF: Josh Thomas, Ben Reid, Jamie Elliott

F: Jaidyn Stephenson, Brody Mihocek, Will Hoskin-Elliott

Foll: Brodie Grundy, Taylor Adams, Jordan De Goey

I/C: Adam Treloar, Callum L. Brown, Levi Greenwood, Dayne Beams

Emg: Travis Varcoe, Isaac Quaynor, Rupert Wills, Max Lynch

In: Ben Reid, Jamie Elliott
Out: Mason Cox (Injured), Travis Varcoe (Omitted)

Collingwood News Jamie Elliott returns to the Collingwood line-up for round seven against Port Adelaide Collingwood has added forward strength and power with the inclusion of Jamie Elliott and Ben Reid for round seven against Port Adelaide at Docklands on Friday night. Elliott has recovered from the corked buttock that kept him out of the Anzac Day clash and it served as a wise opportunity to manage his body. “It was a weird spot, it was right on the edge of my glute and it just affected a few mechanics in my right leg. There was no point risking it (on Anzac Day),” Elliott said on Wednesday. “I was planning on having a week off anyway. I think going by last year I missed a lot of football, so it was smart to have the week off and freshen up the body.” Elliott comes into the side for Travis Varcoe, who has been omitted. Reid will play his first game of senior football since round 10 last year and will provide a like-for-like replacement with Mason Cox managing an ankle issue. “I’m rapt. I’ve been ready for provably the last three or four weeks, just biding my time. I’ve been playing some good footy in the VFL, so hopefully that can continue on Friday night,” Reid said on Track Talk. “I think any footballer knows that once you can build up a bit of continuity you feel better and you pull up better week in week out. “So it’s nice to be doing that and hopefully I can keep it rolling.” The first bounce is set for 7.50pm, with Docklands expected to attract 40,000 fans. Travis Varcoe, Isaac Quaynor Rupert Wills and Max Lynch have been named as emergencies.

AFL Preview Round 7 Collingwood v Port Adelaide Last time they met: MCG, round 22, 2018: Collingwood 17.13 (115) defeated Port Adelaide 10.4 (64) The Magpies cemented their first finals berth in four years while the Power slipped outside the eight and ultimately missed the finals. After leading by just four points midway through the third term, the Pies piled on 8.5 to 1.0 to break a four-game losing streak against Port. What it means for Collingwood: In the first of just three appearances at Docklands this season, the Pies will fancy their chances of posting their fourth successive win in a period in which they could build serious momentum. What it means for Port Adelaide: On a fast track under the roof, Ken Hinkley's boys have a golden opportunity to strengthen their credentials against one of the flag favourites. How Collingwood wins: Jamie Elliott's return will allow the Pies to assemble their full complement of forwards for the first time and possibly enable superstar Jordan De Goey to spend more time in the midfield, where his explosiveness could be critical. How Port Adelaide wins: The Power have unleashed some exciting speedsters – among them the supremely talented Connor Rozee and fellow NAB AFL Rising Star nominee Xavier Duursma – who have the ability to unsettle the Magpies' team defence. The stat: The Power have never beaten Collingwood at Docklands, losing their previous four games at the venue to the Pies by an average of 43 points. The teams haven't met there since 2012. The match-up: Brodie Grundy v Scott Lycett and Paddy Ryder It all starts at the source, and Power pair Lycett (ranked No.94 in the Official AFL Player Ratings) and Ryder (No.22) will look to nullify the AFL's premier ruckman Grundy (No.4), just as Lycett and Nathan Vardy did in West Coast's Grand Final triumph seven months ago. It’s a big week for: Tom Rockliff The prolific onballer amassed 43 touches in Brisbane's win over the Pies at the MCG in round 21, 2014, but in his two games against them since then, both at the MCG, he has managed just 18 (after being injured in the third quarter in his first game as Lions' captain in round one, 2015) and 17 in Port's round 22 loss last year. Big call: Port comes agonisingly close to toppling both 2018 Grand Finalists Prediction: Magpies by 10 points