2019 Round 4: The Team & Preview

2019 AFL Round 4 COLLINGWOOD v FOOTSCRAY Time & Place: Friday April 12, 7:50pm MCG TV: 7mate / Fox Footy 7:30pm Weather: Min 7 Max 25 Chance of rain 40%: <1mm Wind: NNW 10kph Betting: Collingwood $1.22 Footscray $4.00

B: Brayden Maynard, Jordan Roughead, Jeremy Howe

HB: Jack Crisp, Darcy Moore, James Aish

C: Chris Mayne, Scott Pendlebury, Tom Phillips

HF: Josh Thomas, Mason Cox, Steele Sidebottom

F: Taylor Adams, Brody Mihocek, Jordan De Goey

Foll: Brodie Grundy, Dayne Beams, Adam Treloar

I/C: Jamie Elliott, Travis Varcoe, Tom Langdon, Jaidyn Stephenson

Emg: Flynn Appleby, Ben Crocker, Levi Greenwood, Callum L. Brown

In: Travis Varcoe
Out: Levi Greenwood (Omitted)

Milestones: Chris Mayne  - Playing 200th game

Collingwood News Travis Varcoe comes into the Pies line-up for Friday night's clash. Collingwood has made one change to its line-up for the round four clash against the Western Bulldogs at the MCG on Friday night. Travis Varcoe was omitted from the Pies’ round three team, but returns in place of of Levi Greenwood. The addition of the 31-year-old’s speed and defensive skill will provide a necessary connection with the midfield group. Chris Mayne is set to play his 200th AFL game, with Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley expressing how integral the wingman is to the team. “The way he carries himself, the professionalism he displays, the care and support he provides his teammates on and off the field is as significant as any player that I've played alongside or coached,” Buckley said. The first bounce is set for 7.50pm, with in excess of 56,000 fans expected to head to the ‘G for round four match. Flynn Appleby, Ben Crocker, Levi Greenwood and Callum Brown have been named as emergencies. Will Hoskin-Elliott (knee) was unavailable for selection.

AFL Preview Round 4 Collingwood v Footscray Last time they met: Docklands Stadium (now Marvel Stadium), round 10, 2018: Collingwood 13.12 (90) defeated Western Bulldogs 8.7 (55) The Dogs scooted to a 26-point lead early in the second term and were still 18 points clear at half-time before the Pies piled on 8.9 to just 0.4 to climb into the eight, and that's where they stayed. Adam Treloar was best-afield with 40 touches and two goals. Former Dog Jordan Roughead will come up against his old team for the first time. Picture: AFL Photos What it means for Collingwood: After being beaten by both Geelong and West Coast, the 1-2 Pies need to regain some equilibrium. How Collingwood wins: The Pies' multi-pronged attack, which features Jordan De Goey, Jamie Elliott, Mason Cox and Jaidyn Stephenson, should prove too hot to handle for the Dogs. Brodie Grundy should also dominate the ruck. The stat: The Pies have won just one of their past four games at the MCG. They have also succumbed to the Dogs in their past two clashes on the hallowed turf. The match-up: Scott Pendlebury v Jack Macrae When Dogs midfielder Macrae (ranked No.19 in the Official AFL Player Ratings) was drafted he was likened to Pies skipper Pendlebury (No.25), whom he has probably gone past in recent times. It's a big week for: Jordan Roughead The Bulldogs' 2016 premiership big man is thriving in his first season at Collingwood, where he is highly valued for his leadership, cool head and flexibility. In his first game against his old club he will match up on one of the Dogs' rising stars in Aaron Naughton or Josh Schache. Big call: The game's shortestplayer, Bulldog Caleb Daniel, to find himself in another unenviable aerial contest in the goalsquare, this time opposed to the game's tallest player, Magpie Mason Cox. Prediction: Magpies by 29 points

2019: LADDER ROUND 3

Pos Position     P Played     Pts Points     % Percentage     W Won     L Lost     

D Drawn     F Points For     A Points Against

2019 Round 3: West Coast 98 Collingwood 76

THE FACTS

2019 AFL Round 4 COLLINGWOOD v FOOTSCRAY Time & Place: Friday April 12, 7:50pm MCG TV: Fox Footy 7:30pm Weather: Min 9 Max 23 Chance of rain 50%: <1mm Wind: NNW 10kph Betting: Collingwood $1.20 Footscray $4.25

WEST COAST         1.2.8    7.6.48    10.8.68   15.8.98
COLLINGWOOD   3.1.19    6.3.39      7.6.48   11.10.76

GOALS - Collingwood: De Goey 3, Treloar 2, Beams, Cox, Mihocek, Elliott, Sidebottom, Thomas

BEST - Collingwood: Grundy, Adams, Sidebottom, De Goey, Treloar

INJURIES - Collingwood: Moore (ankle)

REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil

OFFICIAL CROWD - 60,878 at the MCG

What The Pies Coach Said "It's been pretty consistent the way that they've beaten us - we get off to a good start, they grind their way back in and then grind us out. We were out-grunted after quarter-time. It's been a bit of a consistent theme so it's something that we haven't been able to remedy. Our game looked good, again, early but when the work rate went up and we needed to match that we weren't able to. ... It's not easy to acknowledge that because it's fairly fundamental to the game of footy. But I've got no doubts about our capacity to be able to respond to that." – Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley

Media Clippings Collingwood News From the outset, the bout appeared as though it would deliver upon its pre-game billing. Just as they had done barely six months ago, Collingwood and West Coast played as though they were the two best teams in the competition throughout an enthralling clash. The Pies, like they had done in the 2018 Grand Final, claimed an early advantage in large part through De Goey's excellence. His two early goals set up a 12-point quarter-time lead. But the Eagles, much like they had done last September, fought back valiantly. Gaff, Shuey and Sheed – for one reason or another the three most high-profile players featuring at the MCG – lifted to become the architects of a second-term revival. A handy half-time buffer, built after a six-goal-to-three second quarter, was stretched to a 20-point lead by the final change as the visitors continued to tighten their grip on the game. It came as the Eagles suffocated the Magpies with their defensive set-up. Fox Footy The controversial ‘contact below the knees’ rule has again reared its head, with a free kick costing Collingwood big-time in their clash with West Coast. Collingwood’s Tom Phillips was controversially penalised for a contact below the knees of West Coast’s Jamie Cripps in the second quarter of their clash at the MCG. Phillips had fumbled the ball and went to retrieve it, with Cripps falling over the top of the Pies midfielder. The Pies couldn’t believe it — to the point youngster Jaidyn Stephenson thought Phillips had received a free kick and threw the ball to his teammate, instead of Cripps. It resulted in an immediate 50-metre penalty, with Cripps slotting a goal from the subsequent set shot. The Age Although supply was not plentiful Jamie Elliott had little influence on the contest finishing with just one goal while Jordan DeGoey exploded from the blocks with two first quarter goals before playing cameos a long way from the goal face. Unfortunately for Jaidyn Stephenson not everything he touches this season is turning to goals and he messed up two goal scoring opportunities with poor decisions. NEWS.com.au AFL superstar Patrick Dangerfield led the outcry against an “absolute disgrace” from the umpires in the Magpies’ grand final re-match against the Eagles. West Coast added further insult to their grand final triumph by running over the top of Collingwood in a 15.8 (98) to 11.10 (76) win. The game reached fever-pitch after Collingwood’s Tom Phillips was penalised for sliding in at the knees of West Coast’s Jamie Cripps. Replays showed Phillips had his head over the ball and was the first man to the ball, while Cripps appeared to be sliding in with his legs. The decision to award Cripps a free-kick in the centre square was compounded by a controversial 50m free kick when a Collingwood player failed to return the ball to Cripps on the full — clearly confused whether Phillips or Cripps had been awarded the penalty. When Cripps kicked his third goal from the free kick, the Collingwood fans lost their marbles. “The Pies army, they’re going ballistic down here,” Channel 7’s Luke Darcy said. The free kick was heavily criticised by AFL commentators online, including Dangerfield, the AFL Players’ Association president.

2019 Round 3: The Team & Preview

2019 AFL Round 3 COLLINGWOOD v WEST COAST Time & Place: Saturday April 6, 7:25pm EDT MCG TV: Fox Footy 7:20pm EDT Weather: Min 17 Max 20 Chance of rain 10%: 1mm Wind: WSW 13kph Betting: Collingwood $1.46 West Coast $2.60

B: Brayden Maynard 37, Jordan Roughead 23, Jeremy Howe 38

HB: Jack Crisp 25, Darcy Moore 30, Tom Langdon 8

C: Chris Mayne 16, Scott Pendlebury 10, Steele Sidebottom 22

HF: Josh Thomas 24, Mason Cox 46, Jaidyn Stephenson 1

F: Jamie Elliott 5, Brody Mihocek 41, Jordan De Goey 2

Foll: Brodie Grundy 4, Dayne Beams 11, Taylor Adams 13

I/C: Tom Phillips 21, Adam Treloar 7, James Aish 14, Levi Greenwood 19

Emerg: Flynn Appleby 31, Ben Crocker 39, Travis Varcoe 18, Callum Brown 17

IN: Adams
OUT: Varcoe

Collingwood News Mason Cox Mason Cox is to play in Saturday's Grand Final rematch against West Coast, after the tall forward's one-match ban was overturned at the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday night. After a complex case that took more than an hour to play out, the jury deliberated for just six minutes before finding Cox not guilty of intentional rough conduct against Richmond defender Dylan Grimes. Cox's charge was downgraded to careless conduct as a result of the Tribunal's hearing, meaning he will still be made to pay a $3000 fine as a result of the incident. The Collingwood forward essentially pleaded not guilty to two of the Match Review's three gradings made last Friday – that of intentional conduct and low impact. Their case in relation to the argument of impact was aided by Richmond's medical report, which showed that Grimes displayed no signs of concussion as a result of the collision. But while the Tribunal still thought the contact was worthy of being graded low, they didn't believe it constituted an intentional grading. Collingwood welcomes back inside midfielder Taylor Adams for Saturday night’s clash against West Coast at the MCG. In his highly anticipated return, Adams will wear a protective glove after recent surgery to repair a lingering finger issue and was this week cleared for action by his surgeon. The 25-year-old provides further strength to the Pies’ midfield that goes head-to-head with the likes of Andrew Gaff, Dom Sheed, Luke Shuey and Elliot Yeo. “The start of my season has been a bit delayed, but it’s not a bad thing in the end," Adams told Track Talk. “The first couple of weeks (after suffering the injury) were pretty tough, then once the games came around I felt really involved with the boys and training was really good. “The extra four weeks (of training without playing) wasn’t too bad - bit of running and a bit of ball work, so I’m feeling good. “I’m looking forward to getting out there on Saturday. “I was ticked off by the surgeon on Monday. He was really happy with the progress and the range of the finger, so we’ll see how it goes. “I’m feeling really confident.” Adams has replaced Travis Varcoe in the Pies’ side. The first bounce is set for 7.25pm, with in excess of 60,000 fans expected to head to the ‘G for the Grand Final rematch. Flynn Appleby, Ben Crocker, Travis Varcoe and Rupert Wills have been named as emergencies. Will Hoskin-Elliott (knee) and Daniel Wells (foot) were among those unavailable for selection.

AFL Preview Round 3 Collingwood v West Coast Last time they met: MCG, Grand Final, 2018: West Coast 11.13 (79) defeated Collingwood 11.8 (74) In an epic, seesawing decider, the Magpies kicked the first five goals before the Eagles slowly clawed their way back and ultimately claimed their fourth premiership after Dom Sheed slotted one the great Grand Final goals. Teammate Luke Shuey was awarded the Norm Smith Medal. What it means for Collingwood: If a comprehensive win over Richmond last week didn't already show the Pies will again be a formidable opponent this season, a victory over the reigning premier will absolutely confirm it. How Collingwood wins: The Pies are a more rounded side since they played in the Grand Final with Darcy Moore and Jordan Roughead capable of handling the Eagles' tall forwards, while the inclusion of Dayne Beams and the Eagles' loss of ruckman Scott Lycett could swing the midfield battle. The stat: The Eagles have won their past three games against Collingwood, two of them at the MCG after giving up considerable starts. The match-up: Jack Darling v Darcy Moore Darling (ranked No. 106 in the Official AFL Player Ratings) bagged a game-high four goals in Can Mihocek take McGovern out of the game? Picture: AFL Photos the big win over Greater Western Sydney last round and is likely to be opposed by a primed Moore (No. 330), who has been a superb addition to a previously undersized defence. It’s a big week for: Brody Mihocek The Magpies key forward will have his hands full combatting brilliant Eagles defender Jeremy McGovern, a rebounding specialist who zones off to intercept or mark as the third man in. Mihocek was in good form in the win over Richmond and will need to make McGovern accountable and not allow him to mark at will. Big call: The three most influential players will be Pies who didn't play in last year's Grand Final: Darcy Moore, Dayne Beams and Jamie Elliott. Prediction: Magpies by five points

2019 AFLW Grand Final: Adelaide 63 Carlton 18

ADELAIDE   3.0.18   9.2.56   10.2.62   10.3.63
CARLTON      1.3.9   2.4.16     2.5.17     2.6.18

GOALS
Adelaide: Ponter 3, Phillips 2, Hatchard, Considine, Martin, Thompson, Jones
Carlton:    Prespakis, Davey

BEST 
Adelaide: Hatchard, Phillips, Jones, Randall, Allan, Marinoff, J Foley
Carlton:    Davey, Stevens, Prespakis, S Hosking, Downie

INJURIES
Adelaide: Scheer (knee), Phillips (knee)
Carlton:    Nil

REPORTS
Adelaide: Nil
Carlton:    Nil

OFFICIAL CROWD
53,034 at Adelaide Oval (AFLW record)

2019: LADDER ROUND 2

Pos Position     P Played     Pts Points     % Percentage     W Won     L Lost     

D Drawn     F Points For     A Points Against

2019 Round 2: Collingwood 110 Richmond 66

THE FACTS

2019 AFL Round 3 COLLINGWOOD v WEST COAST Time & Place: Saturday April 6, 7:25pm EDT MCG TV: Fox Footy 7:20pm EDT Weather: Min 12 Max 21 Chance of rain 58%: 1mm Wind: NNW 7kph Betting: Collingwood $1.45 West Coast $2.62

COLLINGWOOD     3.2.20    7.3.45  12.4.76   17.8.110
RICHMOND             2.2.14    6.3.39    9.4.58    10.6.66

GOALS - Collingwood: De Goey 5, Mihocek 2, Cox 2, Stephenson 2, Thomas, Treloar, Phillips, Mayne, Pendlebury, Elliott

BEST - Collingwood: De Goey, Beams, Crisp, Treloar, Howe, Mayne, Pendlebury

INJURIES - Collingwood: Nil

REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil

OFFICIAL CROWD - 70,699 at the MCG

What The Pies Coach Said "We were all challenged after last week, the coaches and players alike, but the credit has to go to the players. They were dirty on the way that we went about last week, more than the result. The response was really strong from the top down. [The players] put some heat on themselves. [It was] a very good performance tonight, a lot closer to what we'd like the game to look like and the scoreboard looked after itself. Last week was something we need to work to remedy as we want to be a more consistent side." – Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley

Media Clippings Fox Footy Collingwood’s modus operandi was apparent from the start. The Magpies wanted to control the game, probably in response to the turnovers that cost them a win against Geelong in Round 1, and that manifested in a huge discrepancy in a plethora of statistics. At quarter time the Magpies had 33 more uncontested marks, dictating the tempo of the match. But another stat was of more concern for the Tigers. At the first change, Richmond had conceded six marks inside 50. When the two club’s met in last year’s Preliminary Final, Damien Hardwick’s men only allowed Collingwood to mark inside 50 nine times in four quarters. NEWS.com.au Jordan De Goey was the standout with five goals but it was a key mark that stole the show. Late in the second quarter, De Goey took a stunning mark and then kicked a goal around the corner to take the lead into the break. It was a brilliant mark to take Collingwood to an AFL record with 99 marks in the first half. Although the side fell short of the all-time record of 181 with 174 in the game, it was an incredible performance. “This is clearly a tactic that they have come into the game,” Channel 7 commentator Brian Taylor said. “The one thing we know Richmond’s great strengths is that they put pressure on. So if you run the footy out with handball, then they put you under enough pressure to get turnovers. Collingwood is not allowing them to do that at all because they are controlling the footy.” Herald Sun Collingwood’s total control of the Sherrin was spelled out by the uncontested marks. The Magpies led 42-9 at the first break, 88-31 at halftime, 120-53 at the final change while uncontested possessions finished up 338-185. They dictated the tempo, knew when to hold and when to be bold. It was like the Tigers were playing under the roof at Docklands — they had no outside game. AFL News With a Thursday night masterclass, Jordan De Goey sent a message to anybody planning to stop him this season: good luck. If last year was the Collingwood star's breakout season, then 2019, on early impressions, could see the brilliant Magpie step up to the true elite of the competition. It is only round two, but De Goey's intentions to become one of the game's best are patently clear. He was brilliant in the Pies' methodical and clinical 44-point win over Richmond at the MCG, booting five goals in a typically dynamic display. Playing deep in attack, the No.5 draft pick jumped high for marks, was clean at ground level, converted his shots and showed why clubs were throwing millions of dollars at him last year when he was out of contract.. Collingwood News A wealth of class in the midfield is proving extra beneficial to Collingwood, with the Pies comfortable leaving match-winner Jordan De Goey as a permanent forward. The 23-year-old was brilliant against Richmond on Thursday night, booting five goals in his side's 44-point win. After kicking 48 majors last year in his breakout campaign, De Goey shaped as a possible midfield option more often for the Pies this season. However, the off-season return of Dayne Beams has added to the Pies' already star-studded on-ball unit, including Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom, Adam Treloar, Tom Phillips, Jack Crisp and Taylor Adams when he returns from injury. The Age In the first term Collingwood had 85 uncontested possessions to Richmond’s 41, by half time it was 179 to 99. The Magpies chip and pass game was further reflected in the fact by half time they had 88 uncontested marks to Richmond’s 31. The Magpies held the ball and routinely switched play trying to stretch Richmond and find an opening to attack. Richmond was patient but Collingwood was poking holes through their defence. The Tigers' strategy was to wait for the counterattack, sweat on the long ball in that they could spoil and then punish Collingwood on the rebound. Collingwood though was more desperate around the round balls in putting pressure on.

2019 Round 2: The Team & Preview

2019 AFL Round 2 COLLINGWOOD v RICHMOND Time & Place: Thursday March 28, 7:20pm EDT MCG TV: 7mate / Fox Footy 7:00pm EDT Weather: Min 13 Max 26 Chance of rain 10%: <1mm Wind: N 16kph Betting: Collingwood $1.95 Richmond $1.85

B: Brayden Maynard 37, Jordan Roughead 23, Jeremy Howe 38

HB: Jack Crisp 25, Darcy Moore 30, Tom Langdon 8

C: Chris Mayne 16, Scott Pendlebury 10, Steele Sidebottom 22

HF: Josh Thomas 24, Mason Cox 46, Jaidyn Stephenson 1

F: Jamie Elliott 5, Brody Mihocek 41, Jordan De Goey 2

Foll: Brodie Grundy 4, Dayne Beams 11, Adam Treloar 7

I/C: Tom Phillips 21, Levi Greenwood 19, James Aish 14, Travis Varcoe 18

Emerg: Flynn Appleby 31, Callum Brown 17, Ben Crocker 39, Rupert Wills 33

IN: Greenwood
OUT: Brown

Collingwood News In: Levi Greenwood Collingwood has made one change to the team it fielded in the season opener, with Levi Greenwood named for the blockbuster clash against Richmond at the MCG on Thursday night. Greenwood has replaced Callum Brown in the Pies' side. The addition of the 30-year-old will add significant experience to the Pies' midfield group as they look to tackle the likes of Martin, Cotchin and Edwards. Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley is leaving behind prior encounters and focussing on the challenge in front of his 22 players. "That's last year," Buckley said on Tuesday when asked about the potential influence of the 2018 preliminary final result. "We were asked about the Grand Final all off-season, and you get to round one and you think you get the chance to jump back into 2019, and we'll get the questions about the prelim now, (and) we'll get the questions about the Grand Final next week (before hosting West Coast), but they're largely irrelevant. "Those games have been run and won, and we're well and truly into season 2019 now. "We said at this time last year that we'll let our footy do the talking and we need to do that.” Key defender Darcy Moore acknowledges the challenge of the 2017 Premiers will be difficult off a six-day break, however he has confidence in his teammates that’ll run out on the ‘G. "It’ll be tough to back up on Thursday night, but once the ball’s bounced the boys will be ready to go." The first bounce is set for 7.20pm, with over 75,000 fans expected to head to the ‘G for Thursday night football. Flynn Appleby, Callum Brown, Ben Crocker and Rupert Wills have been named as emergencies. Taylor Adams (finger), Will Hoskin-Elliott (knee), Ben Reid (thigh), and Daniel Wells (foot) were among those unavailable for selection.

AFL Preview Round 2 Collingwood v Richmond Last time they met: MCG, preliminary final, 2018: Richmond 8.10 (58) lost to Collingwood 15.7 (97) The Collingwood train left a shell-shocked Richmond in its wake, with Mason Cox dominating up forward in a second-term burst that resulted in a 53-point lead. Richmond rallied on the back of Jack Riewoldt's five goals, but it was too little, too late. What it means for Collingwood: The Magpies are under the pump after a sluggish seven-point loss to Geelong in round one. A big win over last year's minor premiers would be a strong statemen How Collingwood wins: Exploit Richmond's second ruckman. Collingwood has the best midfield in the competition and will greatly benefit from Brodie Grundy going head-to-head with second-gamer Noah Balta. The stat: Richmond star defender Alex Rance has missed two games since round nine, 2014. He is now expected to be sidelined for the year after tearing his right ACL last week. The match-up: Jordan De Goey v Dylan Grimes Grimes (ranked 210th overall in the Schick AFL Player Ratings) will be hurting after De Goey (90th) kicked four last time they met. With De Goey capable of turning a match on its head, Grimes is set for a big task once again. It's a big week for: Nick Vlastuin It will be the first time we will have a look at life at Richmond without defensive general Rance. David Astbury's role taking the No.1 forward (Mason Cox) isn't expected to change, but Vlastuin may be forced to take greater responsibility. Big call: After a quieter game by his lofty standards (23 disposals), expect Dayne Beams to dominate out of the middle in his second match back in the black and white and even kick two goals. Prediction: Magpies by seven points

2019: LADDER ROUND 1

Pos Position     P Played     Pts Points     % Percentage     W Won     L Lost     

D Drawn     F Points For     A Points Against

2019 Round 1: Geelong 72 Collingwood 65

THE FACTS

2019 AFL Round 2 COLLINGWOOD v RICHMOND Time & Place: Thursday March 28, 7:20pm EDT MCG TV: 7mate / Fox Footy 7:00pm EDT Weather: Min 11 Max 26 Chance of rain 50%: <1mm Wind: N 14kph Betting: Collingwood $1.89 Richmond $1.84

GEELONG               2.2.14    3.4.22   7.10.52   10.12.72
COLLINGWOOD     3.5.23    4.9.33   7.10.52     9.11.65

GOALS - Collingwood: Elliott 3, De Goey 2, Cox, Treloar, Beams, Brown

BEST - Collingwood: Treloar, Moore, Pendlebury, Phillips, Elliott, Sidebottom

INJURIES - Collingwood: Nil

REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil

OFFICIAL CROWD - 78,017 at the MCG

What The Pies Coach Said "A consistent theme across our pre-season has been too many turnovers in our back half. That was consistent again tonight. We had 32, most of them in the second half. There was actually a lot in the first quarter, but a lot in the second half as well. We're shooting ourselves in the foot. If we can't work the ball out of our back half as effectively as we'd like to, then we allow the opposition to build pressure. That's an issue from our pre-season and we've carried it into round one." – Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley

Media Clippings Fox Footy Six months after West Coast broke Collingwood’s heart in last year’s Grand Final, the Magpies returned to the same scene only to depart with the same result. It was ugly early, but just like they have many times before, it turned into a vintage game. This time around, Nathan Buckley had Dayne Beams back in his midfield — four years after he left for Brisbane — Darcy Moore back in his defence and Jamie Elliott back in his forward line. But it wasn’t enough to get 2019 off to the perfect start. NEWS.com.au Star Collingwood forward Jamie Elliott returned to the field for the first time since 2017 and played a blinder, kicking three goals, but it was Geelong’s big names who stood tall when it counted to give the Cats an amazing 10.12 (72) to 9.11 (65) round one victory. ... Despite Elliott’s efforts Collingwood routinely shot themselves in the foot with wasted chances in front of goal with Brodie Grundy and Scott Pendlebury missing easy set shots — and Adam Treloar missed a running shot on an open goal, kicking out on the full — he later admitted: “I kick those in my sleep.” Herald Sun Jamie Elliott made a perfect start to his first game since 2017 with two first-quarter goals for Collingwood. The Magpies small forward could not have asked for a better reintroduction onto the big stage, booting two goals in the opening term of Collingwood’s Round 1 fixture against Geelong. ... It was a case of deja vu in many ways for the Pies who controlled the match the last time that were at the MCG and yet lost. They clearly had most of the best players on the ground with Adam Treloar dominant with 34 possessions and Jamie Elliott the stand-out forward for the night in his comeback with three goals. AFL News Jamie Elliott, returning from an 18-month injury nightmare, was Collingwood's standout with three first-half goals, while Adam Treloar (34 disposals, one goal) was prolific. Yet the Pies had too few role players across the field, falling narrowly short. ... Profligacy remained the big issue for Nathan Buckley's side. Having kicked six successive behinds in the second quarter before Elliott's third eventually broke the drought, the Pies butchered more chances to give the Cats an entry back into the contest. Collingwood News Collingwood was made to pay for ‘shooting itself in the foot’ during a disappointing loss to Geelong on Friday night, with coach Nathan Buckley pinpointing costly connection issues as the major crease that his side will have to iron out on the training track this week. The Pies were sloppy by foot throughout the narrow seven-point defeat to the Cats at the MCG, particularly in their defensive side of the ground, with Buckley blaming a lack of cohesion for a series of crucial errors in the dying stages of the game.

2019 Round 1: The Team & Preview

AFL 2019 Round One Collingwood V Geelong Time & Place: Friday March 22, 7:50pm EDT MCG TV: 7mate / Fox Footy 7:30pm EDT Weather: Min 18 Max 29 Chance of rain 50%: 1-5mm Wind: SE 6kph Betting: Collingwood $1.57 Geelong $2.30

B: B. Maynard 37, J.Roughead 23, J. Crisp 25

HB: J. Howe 38, D.Moore 30, T. Langdon 8

C: C. Mayne 16, S. Pendlebury 10, S.Sidebottom 22

HF: J.Thomas 24, M.Cox 46, J.Stephenson 1

F: J.Elliott 5, B.Mihocek 41, J. De Goey 2

Foll: B.Grundy 4, D.Beams 11, A. Treloar 7

I/C: T. Phillips 21, C.Brown 17, J.Aish 14, T.Varcoe 18

Emerg: B. Crocker 39, T.Goldsack 6, B.Sier 36, L. Greenwood 19

New: D.Beams (Brisbane Lions), J.Roughead (Western Bulldogs)

Collingwood News Josh Thomas and Dayne Beams will line up together for the first time since 2014 Collingwood welcomes back Dayne Beams, while Jordan Roughead will make his debut in the black and white, in the Pies’ round one clash with Geelong at the MCG on Friday night. The Pies have named a line-up that features 17 members of last year's losing Grand Final side. Along with Beams and Roughead, Jamie Elliott has been named for his first AFL game since round 23, 2017, with Callum Brown and Darcy Moore also making their way back into the line-up. Nathan Buckley was excited by the inclusion of Elliott and Moore when he held his weekly press conference earlier in the week. "(Jamie is) a little bit older, a little bit wiser, a little bit more mature and understanding and appreciative of the opportunities that come along, so I think he's well placed mentally and emotionally to handle this next phase of his footy career, and physically he's in great shape," Buckley said. Hamstring issues restricted Moore to just seven games last year, but he has recently impressed by being a vital asset as the go-to player for kick-ins. The athletic defender recorded the most kick-ins of any player in the AFL across two JLT Community Series games. "He clearly would have been frustrated with the way last year went for him, and the disappointment of not being able to put his hand up, being couple of weeks shy (of availability) at the pointy end," Buckley said. "His attitude's been first-class. He's really committed to improving himself as a footballer, getting himself as fit as he possibly can be and ready to take that next step into the early rounds, which we know are some of the most intense that you'll face." Ben Crocker, Tyson Goldsack, Brayden Sier and Levi Greenwood have been named as emergencies. Taylor Adams (finger), Lynden Dunn (knee), Will Hoskin-Elliott (knee), Ben Reid (thigh), and Daniel Wells (foot) were unavailable for selection.

AFL Preview Round 1 Collingwood v Geelong Last time they met MCG, round eight, 2018: Collingwood 5.15 (45) lost to Geelong 9.12 (66) In a scrappy, low-scoring affair, the Cats kicked four of the opening five goals, restricting the Pies to just one goal by half-time, and set up a matchwinning break with three successive majors in the third term. The Pies were two short for much of the second half. What it means for Collingwood A win for the 2018 runner-up is crucial given it faces Richmond and reigning premier West Coast in the following fortnight. How Collingwood wins The Magpies' 'Swoop Squad' of small and medium-sized forwards, comprising the likes of Jordan De Goey, Jamie Elliott, Jaidyn Stephenson, Travis Varcoe and Josh Thomas, has the potential to pose enormous headaches for the Cats, who will be without important stoppers Zach Tuohy and Jed Bews. The stat Geelong has won 11 of its past 14 round one games, while Collingwood has won just two from seven under Nathan Buckley, and has been beaten in its past three season openers. The match-up Joel Selwood v Levi Greenwood. The Magpie desperado (ranked No. 380 in the Official AFL Player Ratings) appears set to renew his heated relationship with the Cats skipper (No. 53), against whom he has a good record. Selwood will be hellbent on getting one back on him. T.S. Elliott returns to the fray It’s a big week for Jamie Elliott. The Magpie livewire has missed two of the past three seasons through injury and will make his first AFL appearance in 19 months. Fit and firing after a strong pre-season, he won't simply ease himself back – he might well prove the matchwinner. Big call Pies defender Jack Crisp will upstage the two powerful midfields to be the most prolific ball winner afield. Prediction Magpies by 19 points