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- Jul 15, 2014
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- AFL Club
- Collingwood
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Round three is upon us, and it still almost impossible to make an accurate gauge of where the season is heading. The season has handed us some unpredictable results, and no one really knows where each team is at. What we do know is that we’re in for what should be a beauty today.
These two sides last met in round nine of 2019. In a match that is infamous for the Stephenson betting scandal, the Magpies ran out 41 point winners. Despite starting slow, the Magpies came home like a train, kicking six goals to one in the last quarter. Grundy was simply outstanding for the Magpies, while Billings was best on for the Saints.
Collingwood
In what was perhaps the worst close game of all time, the Magpies managed to escape with a draw against the Tigers. The two sides combined for the lowest scored this century, with both sides being able to muster only five goals each. Both teams also went goaless for two quarters each. While Collingwood showed that their defense was as strong as ever, it also showed that their forward line was still lacking. The lack of prominent key tall forward really stopped the Magpies from scoring, and the small forwards didn’t offer much either. The game showed that Collingwood really hasn’t worked on their scoring firepower in the offseason, which could lead to their undoing at the business end of the season.
Jeremy Howe was absolutely elite for the Magpies, leading the backline, while Taylor Adams and Pendlebury were strong contributors.
Where the Magpies can win the game
In the first quarter, the Magpies looked unstoppable, and it started from the backline. The Magpies were able to generate scoring opportunities from the centerline and half back. However, their fitness seemed to wane in the second half, meaning that running game wasn’t effective, and the backline resorted to long kicks. If the Magpies are to win, they will have to opt to run the ball off half back, instead of trying to kick it long to tall targets who have proven ineffective in being able to mark the ball
Player to watch
Jaidyn Stephenson is the man to watch for Collingwood. The former rising star has struggled over the past 12 months, serving a lengthy suspension for betting on AFL games, and generally struggling to have an impact on the game with opposition teams putting a larger focus on him. To add to his woes, Stephenson suffered from glandular fever in the summer, restricting his offseason. Despite being left out for the first two games, Stephenson has been given the opportunity, and will need to show what he is capable of if he is to remain in the side for the long term.
St Kilda
Last week the Saints were a completely different team that we’ve grown to know and love over the past few seasons. Despite historically being a horribly inaccurate team, the Saints kicked a scintillating 14.4 against a woeful Western Bulldogs side. The Saints moved with smooth precision across the field, and put in a strong defensive effort. Jack Billings was simply outstanding kicking three goals and racking up 24 disposals, while Zak Jones was solid in just his second game in a Saints jersey.
The Saints will be without Geary, but will welcome back former Magpie Johnathan Marsh into the team.
Where the Saints can win the game
First and foremost, the Saints need to continue that accurate scoring that they brought to the table last week. The Saints have blown games far too often by being inaccurate in front of goals. They’ve shown at times they can be a very capable football side, but their inaccuracy has prevented them from winning a number of games. To add to this, the Saints need to keep finding targets inside 50. Currently, the Saints are able to hit a target inside 50 on 30% of their entries, the best in the AFL. The Saints are coming up against one of the best defenses in the league, and hitting these targets will be paramount to them winning.
Player to watch
Jade Gresham is the man to watch for the Saints. The young gun made a move into the midfield last season, and it paid dividends immediately. Gresham has a reputation for getting his hands on the footy, generating contested possessions, and has a habit of popping up in the big moments.
Head to Head odds
Collingwood: $1.45
Saints: $2.75
Changes
Saints
IN
Johnathan Marsh
OUT
Jarryn Geary (Injured)
Collingwood
IN
Jaidyn Stephenson
Rupert Wills
OUT
Jack Madgen (Omitted)
Josh Thomas (Omitted)
TV
Live on Fox Footy, Commercial Free
Radio
Triple M
3AW
ABC
SEN
IPTV
AFL Live Pass
Foxtel Now
WatchAFL
Kayo Sports
Congratulations Brayden Maynard – 100 games
Drafted back in 2014, Maynard has grown to become a critical staple in the quality Collingwood defense. He shown that not only can he shutdown dangerous forwards, but also create scoring chances out of the backline.
Tip
Another tough game to tip. This season has proven wildly unpredictable. The Saints have also proven to be more than capable, and have the talent to give the Magpies a shake. However, Collingwood’s tough defense will be enough to get the Magpies over the line.
Magpies by 20.
These two sides last met in round nine of 2019. In a match that is infamous for the Stephenson betting scandal, the Magpies ran out 41 point winners. Despite starting slow, the Magpies came home like a train, kicking six goals to one in the last quarter. Grundy was simply outstanding for the Magpies, while Billings was best on for the Saints.
Collingwood
In what was perhaps the worst close game of all time, the Magpies managed to escape with a draw against the Tigers. The two sides combined for the lowest scored this century, with both sides being able to muster only five goals each. Both teams also went goaless for two quarters each. While Collingwood showed that their defense was as strong as ever, it also showed that their forward line was still lacking. The lack of prominent key tall forward really stopped the Magpies from scoring, and the small forwards didn’t offer much either. The game showed that Collingwood really hasn’t worked on their scoring firepower in the offseason, which could lead to their undoing at the business end of the season.
Jeremy Howe was absolutely elite for the Magpies, leading the backline, while Taylor Adams and Pendlebury were strong contributors.
Where the Magpies can win the game
In the first quarter, the Magpies looked unstoppable, and it started from the backline. The Magpies were able to generate scoring opportunities from the centerline and half back. However, their fitness seemed to wane in the second half, meaning that running game wasn’t effective, and the backline resorted to long kicks. If the Magpies are to win, they will have to opt to run the ball off half back, instead of trying to kick it long to tall targets who have proven ineffective in being able to mark the ball
Player to watch
Jaidyn Stephenson is the man to watch for Collingwood. The former rising star has struggled over the past 12 months, serving a lengthy suspension for betting on AFL games, and generally struggling to have an impact on the game with opposition teams putting a larger focus on him. To add to his woes, Stephenson suffered from glandular fever in the summer, restricting his offseason. Despite being left out for the first two games, Stephenson has been given the opportunity, and will need to show what he is capable of if he is to remain in the side for the long term.
St Kilda
Last week the Saints were a completely different team that we’ve grown to know and love over the past few seasons. Despite historically being a horribly inaccurate team, the Saints kicked a scintillating 14.4 against a woeful Western Bulldogs side. The Saints moved with smooth precision across the field, and put in a strong defensive effort. Jack Billings was simply outstanding kicking three goals and racking up 24 disposals, while Zak Jones was solid in just his second game in a Saints jersey.
The Saints will be without Geary, but will welcome back former Magpie Johnathan Marsh into the team.
Where the Saints can win the game
First and foremost, the Saints need to continue that accurate scoring that they brought to the table last week. The Saints have blown games far too often by being inaccurate in front of goals. They’ve shown at times they can be a very capable football side, but their inaccuracy has prevented them from winning a number of games. To add to this, the Saints need to keep finding targets inside 50. Currently, the Saints are able to hit a target inside 50 on 30% of their entries, the best in the AFL. The Saints are coming up against one of the best defenses in the league, and hitting these targets will be paramount to them winning.
Player to watch
Jade Gresham is the man to watch for the Saints. The young gun made a move into the midfield last season, and it paid dividends immediately. Gresham has a reputation for getting his hands on the footy, generating contested possessions, and has a habit of popping up in the big moments.
Head to Head odds
Collingwood: $1.45
Saints: $2.75
Changes
Saints
IN
Johnathan Marsh
OUT
Jarryn Geary (Injured)
Collingwood
IN
Jaidyn Stephenson
Rupert Wills
OUT
Jack Madgen (Omitted)
Josh Thomas (Omitted)
TV
Live on Fox Footy, Commercial Free
Radio
Triple M
3AW
ABC
SEN
IPTV
AFL Live Pass
Foxtel Now
WatchAFL
Kayo Sports
Congratulations Brayden Maynard – 100 games
Drafted back in 2014, Maynard has grown to become a critical staple in the quality Collingwood defense. He shown that not only can he shutdown dangerous forwards, but also create scoring chances out of the backline.
Tip
Another tough game to tip. This season has proven wildly unpredictable. The Saints have also proven to be more than capable, and have the talent to give the Magpies a shake. However, Collingwood’s tough defense will be enough to get the Magpies over the line.
Magpies by 20.
