Collingwood vs Adelaide: Match Preview
B: Clement, Wakelin, Prestigiacomo.
HB: Johnson, J.Cloke, Lonie.
C: Woewodin, McGough, Licuria.
HF: Didak, Rocca, C.Cloke.
F: Davis, Tarrant, Cole.
R: Richards, Burns, O’Bree.
INTER: Nixon, Swan, Mullins, Lokan.
EMERG: Walker, Williams, Kinnear.
In: Burns, Prestigiacomo, C.Cloke.
Out: Walker, Williams, Kinnear.
At the start of the 2004 season, who would have predicted that Collingwood and Adelaide would be languishing at the bottom of the ladder, in 16th and 14th spots respectively? For the loser on Friday night, the repercussions could be disastrous, with the media baying for the losing coach’s blood. It’s time for Collingwood to stand up and show all it’s doubters why it had made the grand final two years in a row. They will win and win well. Here’s how they’ll do it.
Down back, the most dangerous and potent asset to the Crows forward line, Wayne Carey, will be the key to a Crows victory. No Carey, no North was a famous catch cry in the late 1990’s when the former Roo was in full power. He is not the player he once was, but he is still a dangerous player in full flight. Jason Cloke beat him comprehensively last time they met in round 20 2003 and will again get the big job. A player who tends to slip under opposition guards is Scott Welsh. Although he was a late withdrawal last week, Welsh should be ready to tackle the Pies. He has a lower profile compared to the other Crows players. He won’t be forgotten by Mick Malthouse and Shane Wakelin will be first to get the job. Ken McGregor has been played as a tall forward in recent weeks. He scored a career best 4 goals against Richmond and will have to be kept in check. Simon Prestigiacomo, back from a shin injury, will get the task of keeping the Guy Sebastian look-alike out of the action. As for the small forwards, Graham Johncock has done a fantastic job in recent weeks and is turning into Adelaide’s Steven Milne. Ben Johnson will be 1st to take on the speedster with Richard Cole on standby if Johnson is called for a run in the middle.
In the midfield, the Magpies receive a boost in the form of the every reliable Scott Burns. Burns’ 2 week layoff has severely hurt the Maggies in the middle and his bite around the packs will be a welcome addition. Shane Woewodin has run into some of his best form in the past 2 weeks, both times gathering over 25 possessions for the match. In round 7 last year, ‘Woey’ blitzed the Crows on his way to a match winning performance. Tyson Stenglein will get the job tagging the Brownlow Medallist. Mark McGough has been a revelation in the past 4 weeks after coming back from a pre-season hampered by ostius pubis. Stopping his clearances will be high on the Crows list. Paul Licuria has had a slow beginning to his 8th year of senior football with a pre-season disturbed by a calf injury. His return to form last week will surely help him this week as he will be given the job tagging the explosive Crow captain Mark Ruiccuto in the absence of Brodie Holland. Matthew Lokan did a fantastic job last year on Andrew McLeod and will have another crack at the duel Norm Smith Medallist. In the ruck, Rhett Biglands will return to the Crows senior line up after missing 4 weeks for charging Graham Polak. He will be pitted against the ever improving Guy Richards, who was fantastic against St.Kilda last week.
Up forward, Chris Tarrant and Anthony Rocca will be too tall and mobile for the Crows defence. With Nigel Smart and Ben Hart missing, the crows defence will be severally undermanned. Nathan Basset will take Rocca while Trent Hentshell, who has improved marketably this season, will take Rocca. On the ground, Alan Didak and Leon Davis were quiet last week against the Saints, and will look to bounce back to form. Nathan Bock could be called up to face Davis, while Brett Burton will look to run off Didak, hurting the Pies on the rebound.
In the wash-up, this should be a close contest, but the return of Burns and Prestigiacomo tips the pendulum towards the Pies.
Pies by 12 points.
Collingwood vs Adelaide: Match Preview
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