Collingwood vs North Melbourne: Match Preview

[Johnson#26]

Collingwood vs North Melbourne: Match Preview
Team:
B: Clement, Wakelin, Cole.
HB: Johnson, J.Cloke, Lonie.
C: Woewodin, Burns, Lockyer.
HF: Didak, Rocca, Fraser.
F: C.Cloke, Tarrant, Davis.
R: Richards, Licuria, McGough.
INTER: Lokan, Maxwell, Shaw, Swan.
EMERG: Shackleton, Walker, Mullins.

IN: Lockyer, Burns, Fraser.
Out: Walker, Mullins, O’Bree.


In a difficult match for tipsters, Collingwood should comfortably prevail over the battling Kangaroos at Telstra Dome on Saturday night. Collingwood has had a tough run with injuries this season, but is now getting many its star players back. The return of Tarkyn Locker will hold a special interest for Pies supporters since Lockyer has not played a game since round 3 last season when he injured his knee in a seemingly harmless incident. Also back for the Magpies is Scott Burns and star ruckman Josh Fraser. For the Roos, big Corey McKernan returns from a quad injury whilst Ashley Watson plays his first game for the season.

In the absence of key defender Simon Prestigiacomo, Shane Wakelin has really stood up in recent weeks. His tasks have included Justin Koschitzkie, Wayne Carey and this week former Magpie Saverio Rocca. He has performed well in his 4 seasons at Collingwood and now has taken on a bigger role in defence. His duel with Rocca will be important in the outcome of the match. Roos beanpole Drew Petrie has shown leadership qualities that the Kangas have been crying out for with the retirement of Archer and Stevens imminent. Jason Cloke will be the defender given the first gig on the up and coming Roos. Leigh Brown has been a big improver this season and will have to be watched. James Clement and last weeks debutant Nick Maxwell will be both players assigned to the goliath former Docker.

In the middle of the ground, there will be an exciting battle between two of the most talented midfields in the competition. Magpies Paul Licuria, Scott Burns, Shane Woewodin, Tarkyn Lockyer, Ben Johnson and Mark McGough will all play vital roles as they are pitted against the dynamic Roos Shannon Grant, Anthony Stevens, Brent Harvey, Daniel Wells and captain Adam Simpson. Expect Shane Woewodin to be tagged by Brady Rawlings while Brent Harvey will be closely followed by Ben Johnson, who may be looking to run off Harvey and damage him on the offensive side. The rest will go head to head in an exciting battle, which could we the key to both side in the fight for the four points. In the ruck, McKernan will face round 9 Rising Star Guy Richards. McKernan may not have the leap and spring of the Corey of old in the late nineties but still has the capacity to hurt the opposition. Richards played his best game so far last week and will look to get help from Josh Fraser who returns from a hamstring injury.

Up forward, Chris Tarrant was dynamic last week, almost single-handedly winning the game. He will have to be closely followed, with the ever courageous Leigh Colbert being his follower for the night. Acting captain Anthony Rocca has not played at his best yet this season but is still a threat and can be hot and cold in the one minute. Glenn Archer will be the Roo who gets first crack at big ‘Pebbles’. Little Alan Didak has been sadly out of form this season and has rarely fired as shot, except for ANZAC Day when he dominated with three goals. It is time for Dids to stand up and show why he was drafted at pick number three in the 2000 draft.

In the wash up, Collingwood should win comfortably with the return of its stars but it won’t be as easy as first though. But with the return of Lockyer inspiring the Pies, Collingwood should win comfortably. Pies by 20 points.