Pre-match: Moving on to Anzac Day - all comments here...

[David]

yes, Essendon are our biggest bogey side, but we've got to break through some day. And this week is as good as ever, we're going up, they're going down, there is no excuse for us not to win.

[molloymagic]

i'm still a little worried, james hird is playing and i just feel like he's going to win the game again,i wish i didn't feel this way but there's something about hird and anzac day that i don't like. COME ON MAGGIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

*Besides,it wasn't that long ago when we did beat the dons on Anzac Day. It was a cold,wet and windy day in 2002(or whenever scotty cummings became a magpie). So it can happen.

[westernpie]

Im confident,but still a bit worried
Why-The Dons can never be trusted!

[Mossi]

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&s ... eid=258551

Match Preview: Collingwood v Essendon
4:06:37 PM Tue 18 April, 2006
Paul Gough
Exclusive to afl.com.au

COLLINGWOOD V ESSENDON

WHERE & WHEN: Tuesday April 25 at the MCG at 2.40pm

TV & RADIO: Channel 9 -- Melbourne (2pm, subject to sell-out), Adelaide (1.30pm), Perth (12pm), Sydney (2pm), Brisbane (2pm)

OUR COVERAGE: live scores, stats & audio, Game Day News Desk, match replay (24 hour delay)

HEAD TO HEAD: Collingwood 113, Essendon 95, Drawn 4

LAST TIME: Essendon 21.5 (131) d Collingwood 15.15 (105) at the MCG, round 16, 2005.


THE MEDICAL ROOM: Essendon suffered a huge blow ahead of what is always the most eagerly anticipated game on the home and away calendar after skipper and spearhead Matthew Lloyd tore his hamstring during the loss against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday. Lloyd is expected to miss three weeks, robbing the Bombers not only of on-field leadership but also their best avenue to goal. Lloyd kicked eight goals in a best on ground display last time these two teams met and to make matters worse his two most likely replacements in Courtney Johns (ankle) and Jason Laycock (thigh) are both not certain to be available with Laycock already ruled out. The Bombers have also lost handy utility Mark Bolton for a fortnight with a groin strain but at least number one ruckman David Hille returns from a one match suspension while Dean Rioli (knee) is also available. The Magpies are in far better shape after suffering no injuries during their Easter Monday mauling of Essendon while full-back Simon Prestigiacomo, who was a late withdrawal against the Kangaroos with a mystery injury that coach Mick Malthouse refused to divulge post-game, is also expected to return.

THE STORY SO FAR: Both these sides have started the 2006 season brightly after disappointing 2005 seasons - setting the stage for a huge Anzac Day game which also marks the return of the MCG as an AFL venue. The league's number one ground has been unavailable for the first three rounds of the season due to the removal of the athletics track following the Commonwealth Games in late March. The Magpies have recovered well from their last quarter fade-out against Adelaide in round one to thrash Hawthorn and the Kangaroos in the past fortnight and suddenly find themselves sitting fourth and with all their missing big guns from last year in skipper Nathan Buckley, key forward Anthony Rocca, number one ruckman Josh Fraser, goalsneak Alan Didak and running half-back Ben Johnson fit and firing again. The Bombers have only one win from three games but were gallant in defeat against Brisbane at the Gabba in round two and may well have beaten the high-flying Western Bulldogs last week had Lloyd not been injured late in the third quarter.

THE WHITEBOARD: Just how do the Bombers' replace Lloyd, whose goals have so often been the difference in big matches for Kevin Sheedy's team last time? One option is to play Scott Lucas, who kicked five goals the last time these two teams met, in the goal-square but then that leaves the problem of who to play at centre-half-forward. Another possibility is to perhaps play David Hille at full-forward and leave Lucas at centre-half-forward but then that means leaving the ruck division in the hands of the inexperienced Paddy Ryder. The loss of the versatile Mark Bolton doesn't help either and Kevin Sheedy faces a major challenge in just how he structures his side this week for a game the Bomber hordes will be desperate to win.

THE VERDICT: Collingwood has not beaten Essendon on Anzac Day since 2002 but gets its opportunity here. The loss of Lloyd looms as a major blow for the Bombers, leaving them light on for goalkicking power while equally at the other end their defence faces a major challenge in combating the Pies' powerful forward line of Chris Tarrant, Anthony Rocca, Josh Fraser and Alan Didak. Collingwood has been in devastating form in the past fortnight and while Eseendon represents a step up in class from their previous opponents in Hawthorn and the Kangaroos, the Pies look stronger at both ends of the ground and look set to finally give the "Black and White Army" something to smile about on the biggest day of the home and away calendar. Collingwood by 28 points>

great to maul them twice in two weeks!!!
well lets hope so this week, should be a great game anyway

[Magpiefan3]

We should win.

[dalyc]

[quote="MK"]My surprise selection would be to select Tex Walker with one mission & an up front payment. /quote]

Can I have a toke?

[stoid]

We'll win by about 8 - 10 goals.
By the way does anyone know if Cole will be playing (or is he playing for Bendigo)??

[drfranger]

I think (after only tipping the pies once this year - shame) that we'll come through this week.

Swan for the medal!!!!!1

[Warbler]

It's well & truly time we bitch slapped the bummers .

I'm heartily sick of losing to them & having to listen to their f***ing arrogant supporters .

To quote Gough Witlam " IT'S TIME "

I don't want to just win -- I want us to shit it in .

Collingwood by 80 points , our biggest margin so far this season

[Johnson#26]

By the way does anyone know if Cole will be playing (or is he playing for Bendigo)??

Injured an ankle/calf last week and will miss a few weeks - there is a thread on it on BomberBlitz.

Molloymagic, yep, that was 2002 - Mark McGough.

[burnsy17]

I really cant see Presti coming in, especially without Lloyd.... the only way i think he'll play is if Wakelin is dropped for him.

I can probably see 1 change. Burns in for someone. It'll probably be O'Brien.... but i'd much rather keep O'Brien in the side as i think he straightens us up a little.

You all know who i'd replace for Burnsy.....

[loki04]

My surprise selection would be to select Tex Walker with one mission & an up front payment. Knock out Hird a the opening bounce.

Hird is an absolute genius & is the best footballer in the comp above his shoulders.

HE may line up at full forward, and apart from Lucas is the man to watch!

I disagree , even if I didn't barrack for collingwood I would still rate bux the best in the AFL in nearly every asset ever!

[uuuuu..... The LoneSTAR]

Collingwood by 39.5

[MagpieDynasty]

This game shapes as being pivotal to the Pies prospects of achieving a solid start to the season and a nice spring board toward playing in the 06 finals.

A glance at the games ahead to the end of May;

Pt Adel at the Dome
Carlton at the G
West Coast at Subi
Geelong at the G, and
Bulldogs at the G.

If we knock off Essendon and then dispose of the Power and Carlscum we have a win/loss of 5/1. Tough 3 weeks follow against some pretty strong opposition...Manage to snare one of those 3 games and we will be sitting relatively well at 6 and 3. Drop the Anzac game and we could be in the wrong half of the ladder.

The game itself: I think the AFL would be praying for Collingwood to win this one and furthermore, I would imagine they are keen for the result to be decided by a goal or less. This would shut up the wannabe's who have coveted and lobbyed for this day. Personally I hope we wipe the turf with the pompous crankers. This game will say an awful lot about the make up of the side and perhaps portray just where we are at in 06. Lose to Essenscum on this big occasion and we will all be forced to reassess our aspirations for the Pies in 06.

I think Mick Malthouse ought to consider not tagging too many players (exception Hird) and allow our boys lisence to win the game. We should win the ruck on the day and give the lads first use. The loss of Lloyd(sniffle sniffle) does not render their forward line impotent, but it does weaken it significantly...In a nutshell, have a shootout...Coz I believe our current forward structure will outgun theirs comfortably and we have proven thus far that there is sufficient inside 50 delivery to achieve just that.

All of course IMHO.

To those that are going to the game...Enjoy the day, scream your hearts out and savour the victory bevvies afterward.

[Jamie loves Collingwood]

Collingwood by 30 points.
Travis Cloke to kick 5 goals. Dane Swan for the ANZAC Day medal for 30 possies and 4 goals.