Collingwood vs Gelong: Match Preview

[Johnson#26]

Collingwood vs Gelong: Match Preview

Team for Friday:
B: Clement, Prestigiacomo, Waklein.
HB: Johnson, J.Cloke, Cole.
C: Didak, Buckley, Woewodin.
HF: Lonie, Rocca, Lockyer.
F: Holland, Tarrant, Davis.
R: Fraser, Licuria, Burns.
INTER: Richards, McGough, Maxwell, Rowe.
EMERG: B.Shaw, R.Shaw, Mullins.

After coming off a morale boosting victory against Hawthron, Collingwood is primed to make its assault on Geelong, a team who is firmly cemented in the eight. But a victory to Collingwood would keep its finals hopes alive and that alone is enough ammunition to come home with a win. With a crucial match coming up against Brisbane, the Pies must strike now.

In defence, Ben Graham is the key to a Cats victory. With his strong hands and big kicking boots, Graham simply must be watched. Simon Prestigiacomo is the man for the big job, with his close checking expected to be too much for the former skipper. Little man Paul Chapman is another to watch. Richard Cole is the man most likely to man up on the sneeky Cat and will provide run off halfback. The experianced Peter Riccardi is always a threat and must be watched. The ever reliable James Clement will go to Riccardi, as his strong hands and run will hold him in good stead. Kent Kingsley will also be watched closely. Shane Wakelin will be the man to follow the former Roo, with his strong hands and reliable strength keys. But the biggest man to watch is Gary Ablett Junior. Ablett may only win six or seven touches a game but what he does with those possessions is something special. Ben Johnson, who has been quiet in recent weeks, will relish the challenge. Johnson provide run and drive and will force Ablett to be accountable.

In the midfield, a big battle looms between the old sparring partners - Nathan Buckley and Cameron Ling. Back in 2002, Buckley wiped his blood on Lings jumper and was suspended for one week in a controversial incident. Ling has had the better of Buckley in the past and Bucks will look to push forward to shake the tag. In other match ups, Scott Burns will be pitted against Joel Corey, Paul Licuria will go against James Bartel and Shane Woewodin will face the pacy David Wojinski. In the ruck, Josh Fraser will be helped by the return of Guy Richards - who missed last week with a groin injury. The two youngsters will go against Steven King and Cameron Mooney, who have both been in good form. The Cats lost star James Kelly with a broken leg, which damages the Cats chances.

Up forward, Chris Tarrant and Anthony Rocca will be followed by two of the best defenders in the league - Matthew Scarlett and Tom Harley. Scarlett was beaten by Tarrant last time they met - a fact he will be keen to avenge. Harley will take Rocca, in one of the best match ups for the night. Leon Davis and Alan Didak were in excillent form against the Hawks and Mark Thompson won't let them go easily. Darren Milburn will be assigned to Didak while David Johnson will take Leon Davis.

The game will be packed with highlights, with pace and strength a plenty but Collingwood will be able to stave off the Cats with Rocca and Tarrant leading the way. They will need Buckley to push forward on Ling to shake the tag. In a final prediction, with Geelong returning from a gruling match against West Coast in Perth, Collingwood should defeat them by 17 points.