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- Jul 15, 2014
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- Collingwood
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Credit where credit is due, the AFL have seemingly managed to create what fans view as a perfect competition. The 2017 season has brought levels of parity not seen for 20 years in the AFL. Upset after upset, nail biter after nail biter has really created an all-time classic season. And with this parity, a Hawthorn side that was seemingly down and out is right back in contention. Collingwood has not taken advantage of this parity and has not won crucial matches in which the side could have cemented their place in the top eight. Now Collingwood’s season is becoming a week to week affair.
Last time these two teams met, the Hawks jumped out the gates and bolted to a lead of more than forty points. Collingwood fans expressed their disapproval of their team’s performance, raining boos down on the team as the quarter time siren rang. It must have fired the Magpies up, as they rallied a magnificent comeback and hand them a historic win, ending a losing streak to the Hawks stretching back to 2012.
Hawthorn
It’s been a weird season for the Hawks. Starting the season, most knew they would not compete for the flag like they have done during their dynasty, but to be frank, the start they had to the season was nothing short of horrendous. Blowouts like nothing fans have seen for a long time were dealt to Hawthorn, left football fans questioning whether players like Gunston, Puopolo, and Breust were just good players when their team was playing well. Even some fans began to question whether the coach Alistair Clarkson was the right man to lead the Hawks through what will most likely be a tough rebuild. But, thanks to a change up in form, and this quite strange season the Hawks find themselves only two games outside the top eight! Now, even the most optimistic of Hawks fans will feel as though the Hawks are unlikely to compete for a finals spot, but it is a true testament to Clarkson to at least make the Hawks competitive.
One main problem that the Hawks have experienced this season is the fact that they have not played well in the second halves, particularly the third quarters. This was quite evident in the previous time these two sides met. Hawthorn were playing brilliantly in the first half, and then came to a screeching halt. This problem was seemingly addressed last week when the Hawks managed to rally in the second half to record a brilliant win against the highly fancied Crows over in Adelaide.
In a bleak season (by Hawthorn standards), one player has really stood up for the Hawks in Tom Mitchell. Mitchell has only recorded less than 30 disposals in one match and 2017, and recording a huge 50 disposals against the Magpies. While some people in the football world, such as Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley, do not believe that Mitchell is damaging in his role, it’s no doubt that he is fulfilling his role to a supreme degree, and has been a true standout for the Hawks.
Collingwood
It’s been a rather confusing season for Collingwood. While there have been extraordinary highs, such as the performance against Geelong, and the third quarter against the Hawks, these have been matched with terrible lows, such as ANZAC Day, the match against Carlton, and their performance against Port Adelaide on the weekend. Collingwood was pitiful all over the ground, unable to score and unable to defend. With their season on the line, the Magpies were just not able to stand up when it counted, and were comprehensively beaten by a much more determined Port Adelaide side.
Like Hawthorn, Collingwood’s third quarters are still an issue for the team. Collingwood fares well in most of the other quarters, but have only won two third quarters for the year. This was evident in the Queen’s birthday game, where Collingwood’s momentum came to a screeching halt, costing them the game. As mentioned, Hawthorn have also struggled in third quarters, so it will be interesting to see who comes out on top after the third quarter.
The man to watch for Collingwood this week is Josh Thomas. Josh Thomas tested positive to a banned substance in 2015, and has not played a game since 2014. Thomas has showed flashes of brilliance throughout his career, but has not been able to string more than a few quality games together. Thomas is surely on his last chance, and will need to use this opportunity to try and demand another contract for 2018 season.
Head to Head Odds
Hawthorn: $2.10
Collingwood: $1.75
TV
Live on Channel 7, excluding Qld, and WA.
Live on Fox Footy, Commercial Free
Radio
ABC
3AW
MMM
IPTV
AFL Live Pass
Foxtel Now
WatchAFL
Scott Pendlebury 250 games
Drafted as a skinny 18 year old, Scott Pendlebury has evolved into an all-time Collingwood legend. Respected by all fans and players, Pendlebury is a player known for his consistency and the ability to slow every one down around him, it has been a pleasure to watch him play. Here’s to a whole lot more games Pendles.
Tip
This is a tough match to judge. Hawthorn are coming off an amazing win against the Crows, while Collingwood have just played their worst match for the year. The Hawks are still suffering from some injuries to key players, and Collingwood just have a bit more polish to finish off the Hawks.
Collingwood by 6 points
Last time these two teams met, the Hawks jumped out the gates and bolted to a lead of more than forty points. Collingwood fans expressed their disapproval of their team’s performance, raining boos down on the team as the quarter time siren rang. It must have fired the Magpies up, as they rallied a magnificent comeback and hand them a historic win, ending a losing streak to the Hawks stretching back to 2012.
Hawthorn
It’s been a weird season for the Hawks. Starting the season, most knew they would not compete for the flag like they have done during their dynasty, but to be frank, the start they had to the season was nothing short of horrendous. Blowouts like nothing fans have seen for a long time were dealt to Hawthorn, left football fans questioning whether players like Gunston, Puopolo, and Breust were just good players when their team was playing well. Even some fans began to question whether the coach Alistair Clarkson was the right man to lead the Hawks through what will most likely be a tough rebuild. But, thanks to a change up in form, and this quite strange season the Hawks find themselves only two games outside the top eight! Now, even the most optimistic of Hawks fans will feel as though the Hawks are unlikely to compete for a finals spot, but it is a true testament to Clarkson to at least make the Hawks competitive.
One main problem that the Hawks have experienced this season is the fact that they have not played well in the second halves, particularly the third quarters. This was quite evident in the previous time these two sides met. Hawthorn were playing brilliantly in the first half, and then came to a screeching halt. This problem was seemingly addressed last week when the Hawks managed to rally in the second half to record a brilliant win against the highly fancied Crows over in Adelaide.
In a bleak season (by Hawthorn standards), one player has really stood up for the Hawks in Tom Mitchell. Mitchell has only recorded less than 30 disposals in one match and 2017, and recording a huge 50 disposals against the Magpies. While some people in the football world, such as Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley, do not believe that Mitchell is damaging in his role, it’s no doubt that he is fulfilling his role to a supreme degree, and has been a true standout for the Hawks.
Collingwood
It’s been a rather confusing season for Collingwood. While there have been extraordinary highs, such as the performance against Geelong, and the third quarter against the Hawks, these have been matched with terrible lows, such as ANZAC Day, the match against Carlton, and their performance against Port Adelaide on the weekend. Collingwood was pitiful all over the ground, unable to score and unable to defend. With their season on the line, the Magpies were just not able to stand up when it counted, and were comprehensively beaten by a much more determined Port Adelaide side.
Like Hawthorn, Collingwood’s third quarters are still an issue for the team. Collingwood fares well in most of the other quarters, but have only won two third quarters for the year. This was evident in the Queen’s birthday game, where Collingwood’s momentum came to a screeching halt, costing them the game. As mentioned, Hawthorn have also struggled in third quarters, so it will be interesting to see who comes out on top after the third quarter.
The man to watch for Collingwood this week is Josh Thomas. Josh Thomas tested positive to a banned substance in 2015, and has not played a game since 2014. Thomas has showed flashes of brilliance throughout his career, but has not been able to string more than a few quality games together. Thomas is surely on his last chance, and will need to use this opportunity to try and demand another contract for 2018 season.
Head to Head Odds
Hawthorn: $2.10
Collingwood: $1.75
TV
Live on Channel 7, excluding Qld, and WA.
Live on Fox Footy, Commercial Free
Radio
ABC
3AW
MMM
IPTV
AFL Live Pass
Foxtel Now
WatchAFL
Scott Pendlebury 250 games
Drafted as a skinny 18 year old, Scott Pendlebury has evolved into an all-time Collingwood legend. Respected by all fans and players, Pendlebury is a player known for his consistency and the ability to slow every one down around him, it has been a pleasure to watch him play. Here’s to a whole lot more games Pendles.
Tip
This is a tough match to judge. Hawthorn are coming off an amazing win against the Crows, while Collingwood have just played their worst match for the year. The Hawks are still suffering from some injuries to key players, and Collingwood just have a bit more polish to finish off the Hawks.
Collingwood by 6 points