Pre-Match: Magpies v Bears - All comments here.....

[jackcass]

At a loss to cover J. Brown if he is in the centre ... would have to be gang-tackled !!

While there are no garantees that Brown will play in the midfield, Buck's is probably the only genuine midfielder in our team (at the moment) who could match up on Brown.

MM might pull a swifty and give a Clement or a Maxwell a run with role. Neither would be strong enough in the 1-1 battles in defence but both could certainly limit his impact in the midfield and could hurt Brisbane with their disposal forward.

[johncitizen]

Pies by 17points. Provided they can kick the ball straight for a change.

[GoWoodsmen]

So many other are like me... just cringing when I think of this game and yet I am inexplicably drawn to watch it on TV.

Brisbane have so much over us it's not funny. Yep they're a different side but Aker, Brown, Black and Voss are all still there. If we don't take a single backward step ( and I mean even once ) we've got to be a chance. Our backline has always held up.... big problem is that Brisbane kick a truck load of goals by kicking over the back lines head... especially Aker from outside or just on 50.

It seems so hopeless and the worst bit as shown on Saturday night, we could be within a goal or even up by a few at half time and they could still destroy us in the second half as they have done before.

I'll be happy if we have four blokes at the tribunal on Monday night, up for finally getting some back on the thugs from up North.

Go Pies.

[Jamie loves Collingwood]

I change my mind about Brisbane winning.
Go Pies!
Pies by 16 pts in a blinder.

[uuuuu..... The LoneSTAR]

Their primary forward targets are Brown & Bradshaw - I think our defence can hold them up (we have good options there!) as long as the midfielders apply enough pressure to their runners going forward!

They have plenty of guys who can run & goal - we have plenty who can run & smother/tackle! The likes of Holland, Lica, O'Bree, Burns & Johnno (Davis/Woey?) will have their work cut out for them running their proverbials off!!!.. although ALL must contribute including our forward line who i think have been pretty good at that - Many of the Lions attacks start from Leppa & Johnson!

I think we can do it!... i would feel better if Didak plays! Fingers crossed for tonights verdict!

EDIT -
OUT: Rowe / IN: Davis
Think Rowe could do with a rest & Davis might be of more value. His pace & X factor through the middle & forwardline are more damaging than Rowe's,.. ahhh turnovers?

OUT:Didak / IN: Woey
I'd start him in a forward pocket with the odd burst through the middle - Say what you will, but if he carries his Willy form we'll be happy campers!

[euanconway]

This will be a real test yet I still feel we can win it. My younger brother has never been to a Footy match in his life but is going to his first ever footy match against Brisbane. My brother has the fortunate middle name of Collingwood something my Dad is rather proud of. So hears hoping he gets to hear the Collingwood theme song at the end of the game.
Its a shame Didak is out but heres hoping that Taz finds the big sticks and Ruz and Trav kick a bag between themselves.

Pies by 16

[Streak]

There's a lot of talk of Ins/Outs but no-one has mentioned one of our kids who, on debut, really stood up for us in an interstate match. How about we play Ben Davies? The travel seemed to do his good last time :>

This game worries me because we'll have to take our best lineup to Brisbane. It's going to be a hard, pressurised, draining game - which means our best lineup might be drained and travel-weary next week...

ARGH I just wish it was about to start... 2 days and counting!

Pies by 33.

[HAL]

OK You go first.

[BBHS]

I can't see Neon in this week. He has always struggled against the Lions.

Can't agree more with this. Leon has played some absolute stinkers agaist the lions. Maybe he can slow us what he's made of and come play a blinder but I doubt it. Lokan has kicked a few agaist the lions in the past and was ok up there last year. Never thought I would actual write that but hey.

We have a better forward/backline than them. Only concern is the midfield where I can see us getting flogged. Aka has been in great form the little prick and could be heading for another brownlow.

Cam Cloke is very important to the outcome of this game. If he can stand up in the middle and make a few things happen at the centre bounce we might have a crack. An unknown is going to have to have a blinder for us to win this game. Maybe Rusling can kick a bag and we get over the line.

[hoggy]

Brisbane by 79 points

Well you were right with your prediction last week...

[Streak]

We have a better forward/backline than them. Only concern is the midfield where I can see us getting flogged. Aka has been in great form the little prick and could be heading for another brownlow.

Sure, a great midfield. I have to admit it, it does seem we will be smashed in the middle - but I thought that (along with many, many others) about West Coast. And Geelong. And, somewhat, Port.

Could it be our current midfield setup is vastly underrated? I think so - the media have shut up in the last two months about our midfield being slower than mud - that's high praise for Collingwood :>

As good as Brisbane are, we have the right to be confident going in - we have beaten better this year. We have the best backline in the league (possibly even for the last four years), a tough, underrated midfield, and a reasonably competent forward line bursting with wild cards.

Did anyone see that Bradshaw kicked 9 last week? 9 goals in a match equals the club record. I had to chuckle at that. Well, now that he's peaked, Presti/Maxwell/Swan/Clement/whoever will chop him up.

GO PIES!

[DaVe86]

[Clokey]

I reckon I'll play.

[spoljar]

I think we have one other chance of winning this game. Like all sides, their youngsters are bound to have a downer now and again. Our boys had it against Melbourne and their youngsters have now been up for 3-4 games. That is why their team struggled so much early on mainly because it took a while for their younger players to come good!

If you look at their side along with ours, it may all depend on how each of the respective rookie players perform.

My belief is that we have the defence to nullify Brown and Bradshaw. I also think that our experienced Midfield is atleast good enough to neautralise theirs! How the Clokes and Ruslings perform, may determine how we go!

[eddiesmith]

Leppitsch is apparently unlikely which is great news for us but wont be enough