Collingwood vs Sydney: Match Preview
My Team vs Sydney:
B: Cole, Wakelin, Prestigiacomo.
HB: Clement, J.Cloke, Johnson.
C: Woewodin, Buckley, Lonie.
HF: Didak, Rocca, Lockyer.
F: C.Cloke, Fraser, Holland.
R: Richards, Licuria, Burns.
INTER: McGough, Maxwell, Shaw, Lokan.
EMERG: Swan, Walker, Shackleton.
IN: Rocca.
OUT: Davis.
Since 2000:
Collingwood: 4
Sydney: 3
Last time:
Collingwood: 14.15.99
Sydney: 12.9.81
The Pies were in control all night thanks to Licuria, Didak and Scotland - who bagged three goals. Goodes and Jude Bolton were the best for the Swans.
In their most crucial match for the season to date, Collingwood visit Telstra Stadium for a date with the Swans. To keep their slim finals hopes alive the Pies must over come a Sydney outfit crippled with injury. They will never get a better chance then Saturday night to do so. After a disapointing loss to Melbourne last week, the Pies will be eager to prove themselves against quallity opposition.
In the Magpies backline, Barry Hall is the most dangerous Swan to man up on. Hall is big and strong and has the capacity to kick bags of goals. Shane Wakelin is yet again the man for the job on the fearsome Hall. Wakelin has the strength and mobillity to keep up with Hall and coach Mick Malthouse knows that 'Wakes' will never give in. Another forward to be watched is the dangerous Micheal O'Loughlin. O'Loughlin is returning from a hamstring injury but will still have to be minded. James Clement did a terrific job on the Swan last time the two teams met and will again get the gig. Another man to be kept in check is former Pie Nick Davis. As Malhouse would well knwo, Davis has a knack of scoring quick goals or taking a brilliant mark that could turn the game. With that in mind, the ever improving Richard Cole will be the man assigned to the cheeky goal sneek. Cole has the pace and upper body strength to go with Davis and will also run off him when the chance arises. The third of the Swans dangerous small forwards in Ryan O'Keefe. Whilst he may not be as big a name as O'Loughlan and Davis, O'Keefe still demarnds respect. Ben Johnson is the man for the job. Joohnson has provided great run from defecne all year but will be forced to hang back on the slightly built O'Keefe. It's lucky for Collingwood that Adam Schneider is still one more week away for the Swans. Most Pies supporters would remember the terrific goal snapped by Schneider in the pocket last time the two sides met.
In the midfield, an intreaging battle looms. Both midfields are chock full of talent with names such as Buckley and Williams, Burns and Bolton, Licuria and Maxfield, Woewodin and Crouch, McGough and Kirk. Buckley's shadow for the evening will be Brett Kirk. Last time the two players met, Kirk held 'Bucks' to only 17 possesions. Buckley will look to hit back at Kirk and return to his match winning best. Former Pie Paul Willaims will go head-to-head with former Swan Paul Licuria. Both are quick, hard running players who win lots of the ball. Expect to see Shane Woewodin tagged by Jared Crouch. Woewodin has been in excillent form for the Maggies in recent weeks and Crouch will ensure that there will be no easy kicks. Jude Bolton and Scott Burns will go head-to-head in a battle of the tough nuts while McGough will square off with Sydney skipper Stuart Maxfield. In the ruck, Adam Goodes has been struggling with a knee injury and has found himself across half back in recent weeks. When in the ruck, he will face off against Guy Richards and Josh Fraser. It will be interesting to see how Richards compeates against Goodes and Jason Ball, who are two of the best ruckmen in the business.
The Collingwood forward line looks empty without star Chris Tarrant, who has been rubbed out by the tribunal. The side failed to find multiple goal scorers in his absence with only Lokan and Holland proving more then one major. But the return of vice-captain Anthony Rocca will boost the Magpies in their quest for victory. Rocca creats a contest and causes the ball to come to ground where Alan Didak and Brodie Holland come into their own. Rocca will be marked by Craig Bolton, who has continued his improvement from 2003. Bolton adds plenty of stabillity to the Swans defence and will be the man for Rocca. Rocca will have to watch out foir Goodes dropping back in his way, with his knee injury stopping his from playing 90% of the match in the ruck. Josh Fraser has had an indifferant year, with injuries taking out large chuncks of his season. Leaping Leo Barry, although underdone with injury, will be the man assigned to Fraser. Barry provides the Swans will dash and drive from defecne and often lifts the crowd with his couragous marks. Fraser will have to be at his best to quell the in form Swan. Big Cameron Cloke has looked settled in recent weeks and has shown a good pair of hands. Heath James will be the defender to take Cloke. Tadhg Kenelly will follow Alan Didak around for most of the night while Brodie Holland be followed by Ben Matthews. Holland was controversial last time the two sides met when he was rubbed out for two weeks for striking Paul Williams behind the play. That will certainly add some spice to the contest.
In a final prediction, Collingwood will win because they know the ropes in the big matches and they won't let a game as important as this slip. Pies by 15 points.
Collingwood vs Sydney: Match Preview
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