Collingwood vs Port Adelaide: Match Preview

[Johnson#26]

Collingwood vs Port Adelaide: Match Preview

My Team for Round 21:
B: Johnson, Clement, Cole.
HB: Lonie, J.Cloke, Walker.
C: Didak, Buckley, Woewodin.
HF: Davis, Tarrant, Holland.
F: King, Fraser, Lockyer.
R: McKee, Licuria, Burns.
INTER: McGough, O’Bree, Shaw, Shackleton.
EMERG: Crow, Swan, Mullins.

IN: J.Cloke, Shackleton.
OUT: Lokan, Maxwell.

The two newest rivals of the AFL competition, Collingwood and Port Adelaide, meet in what will be one of the most exciting and hard fought battles of the season on Friday night at the MCG. Although Collingwood are out of the finals race, they will still be hell-bent on throwing a spanner in the Powers finals aspirations. Port, on the other hand, has much to play for – top spot on the AFL ladder. Another interesting aspect of the match will be the way Power coach Mark Williams responds to Mick Malthouse’s mind games, which have become the norm in Magpies vs Power clashes.

In defence, the weakened Magpies will be bolstered to learn that Ports star centre-half-forward Warren Treadra will not be lining up in a Power Guernsey on Friday night. Treadra injured his shoulder in a collision with Western Bulldog Brian Harris in the Power’s clash with the Dogs in Darwin last week. Treadra is expected to miss the next one to two weeks with the injury. Despite the loss of Treadra, the Power will still be able to kick a winning score. Toby Thurstans has been a handy forward for the Power all season, and will need to be kept in close check. Jason Cloke will get the job on Thurstans as he return from injury. Damon White has been another cause for Power excitement this season. White has impressed in his few games playing the role of the dangerous third tall forward. White will have to accept more responsibility this week, and will be followed by James Clement, who played last week despite a broken jaw. If Power ruckman Brendan Lade floats down forward, he will be taken by Tristan Walker – who has shown signs of improvement late in the season. While they may be lacking in tall forwards, the Power have many smalls that can wreak havoc at any given time. 2001 Michael Tuck Medallist Stewart Dew has been down on form lately, but is a real danger with his thumping left boot. In or out of form, he is still to be followed closely. Richard Cole has taken to defence like a duck to water this season and will again get a tagging job. Expect him to take Dew in what will be a hard fought battle. Shaun Burgoyne, younger brother or Peter, has also been in solid form for Port. He is always a threat, and will be watched closely by the coaching staff. Rhyce Shaw has stood up to the challenge as a tagger in the latter stages of the season and will again be asked to do the job. Byron Pickett is still yet to hit top gear at the Power, but his reputation alone means he must we watched. Gritty defender Ben Johnson has had a terrific season and will no doubt be asked by Malthouse to get the job as Pickett’s shadow. Johnson has an interesting history against the Power, including the infamous tackle on Peter Burgoyne in the Qualifying Final of 2002, when he dragged Burgoyne down after he had played of in the goal square – saving a certain goal. Josh Mahoney, the former Magpie, has had an excellent season to date as a forward pocket/rover. Mahoney was a Magpie in seasons 1997-1998, where he played 19 games and scored eight goals. He has been one of the revelations of the year, and was one of the best on the ground last week. Expect to see Ryan Lonie get the opportunity to tag him. Lonie has been in good form in recent weeks as a forward, but may be required to play as a defender once again. Lonie is another Magpie with an excellent track record against the Power, scoring two goals in the Pies boilover victory in round eight of the 2001 season.

The midfield is where Port’s strong point is. They have a talented group of midfielders, with pace, skill and strength. They play a short chipping style of football which has worked for them in recent seasons but has been found out in finals. They run forward to assist each other, and make sure they each score a goal or two a game. It boasts names such as Adam Kingsley, Josh Mahoney, Peter Burgoyne, Roger James, Dominic Cassisi, Josh Carr and Kane Cornes. Luckily for Collingwood, Carr is injured with a broken jaw. Collingwood have a strong midfield, but it lacks the class of the Powers. Nathan Buckley is the obvious target for Port, who will place Kane Cornes on him. Scott Burns will go head-to-head with James while Brodie Holland will have a tagging role on Burgoyne. Paul Licuria will go with Kingsley while Cassisi will follow Shane Woewodin. These were interesting battles last time they met and will again be crucial in the resalt of the match. Steven McKee will again go up in the ruck against Dean Brogan and Lade, who have both had excellent seasons. He will get support from Josh Fraser, although Fraser will need to be used as a forward.

In the attacking fifty, Collingwood will look to use shock tactics once again against the Power. Chris Tarrant will be taken by Power defender Matthew Bishop but the other match ups could be a mystery. Josh Fraser will most likely be taken by Darrell Wakelin, who has been in good form for the Power. But who Chad Cornes takes will be a mystery. Don’t be surprised if David King gets a ‘tagging’ role inside forward fifty. King’s role will be to follow Cornes up the field, but take off offensively into attack when we have the ball. Leon Davis and Tarkyn Lockyer will also lurk deep inside the fifty, again using shock tactics to buy a goal or two. Davis in particular has been in good recent form and has a good history against the Power. Jared Poulton has had a solid season at Port and should line up on Davis. Alan Didak also has good form against Port, and is always a slippery customer. Michael Wilson should get the job on Didak, who will look to return to some form after missing the past four weeks with a broken jaw. Lockyer will be followed by Stuart Cochrane while Shane O’Bree will match up on former Bomber best and fairest winner Damian Hardwick.

In a final summation, Collingwood will continue its recent form against Port and come out victors by 20 points.

FINAL PREDITCTION: COLLINGWOOD BY 20 POINTS.