The story so far
Collingwood (LWLWWWWWWWLWWLLWL)
Collingwood have shown at various times throughout the season that they may be contenders yet again, the win against West Coast in Perth a prime example of this. It has been their inconsistency that has let them down on multiple occasions as Nathan Buckley eluded to in the presser after the defeat to GWS. That said the elite level they have played at certain times throughout the year and the position they sit in on the ladder they are definitely capable of anything weather that be in Round 19 against us or come September like last year.Collingwood (LWLWWWWWWWLWWLLWL)
Richmond (WLLWWWWLWWWLLLWWWW)
We’ve had a strange year, a year of great development for many of our players through the opportunity’s created by injury and a year where we’ve held strong throughout the whole season to keep ourselves with a stiff come finals. Finally, after waiting and waiting we’ve retained most of our star players back from injury and things look like they’re begging to click. I smell a bit of sniff sniff 2017 beware…How important is this game?
This game is the most important game of our season to date, our biggest test. We’ve looked great since the bye with 4 consecutive wins and are really beginning to look threating. We’ve regained Cotchin, Short, Lambert and Riewoldt and possibly Nankervis from injury with Martin building his form nicely. Added onto the importance of the test of our true ability it is also extremely important in the race for top 4. Win and we are into the top 4 and not ruling out the possibility of a Home final and double chance considering we have games against both West coast and Brisbane. For the pies it is the same equation with the importance on staying in the top 4 and not letting us leap frog them. They need to steady themselves and with many players out, backs against the wall, this would be a huge win. Dubbed the biggest game of the season on the AFL website, this one is massive.Last time we met
R2,2019 Collingwood 17.8 (110) d Richmond 10.6 (66)Possible changes
Collingwood
Collingwood
In: Brown, Elliot, Goldsack
Out: Appleby, Crocker, Sier
It’s hard to call what changes Nathan Buckley will choose to make but after Collingwood’s lacklustre effort against the Giants one would suspect some changes will be made in an effort to re energise his side and bring heat to the contest.
Richmond
In: Nankervis, CaddyOut: Soldo, Baker
Nank is finally back from his groin injury after his comeback in the VFL at the weekend and would come straight back into the side if ready. The obvious omition would unfortunately be Ivan Soldo who has enjoyed a period of time in the team. Caddy’s new role has been revealed as a move down back so if he is deemed ready to come back in after trialling his new role in the VFL I would think that Baker would be omitted as stiff as it is.
Six points
2. Injury factor, in round 2 when we faced the Pies we had suffered the loss of Alex Rance the week before and obviously hadn’t developed our new defensive well enough to challenge a team like Collingwood. This time, the tables have turned. We have regained most of our injured squad and developed a functional and effective defensive structure. Collingwood are now the ones with the outs and only in the last week have they started getting players back.
3.Mason Cox embarrassed us in last year’s prelim, we all remember it… A giant American taking mark after mark after mark kicking 3 goals and looking unstoppable in the process. Despite his performances in the 2018 finals series it hasn’t been smooth sailing for him this year with his recent struggle for form. We must not take him lightly though because after last year’s performance against us, you never know what he is capable of bringing to the table.
4. The Jack Riewoldt and Tom Lynch partnership that looked absolutely mouth-watering before the seasons start is finally beginning to click. Our twin towers have been able to link up nicely after Jack’s return from injury last fortnight. Against Port Adelaide in our last game they combined for 6 goals, 18 score involvements and one goal assist. The prospect of having 2 of the best tall forwards in the competition in the one forward line is scary for opposition defenders and if they can fire against the pies, the damage caused could be scary.
5.Dylan Grimes: With the injury of Rance in the first game of the season Grimes has been forced to adapt a new role in our defence. He has been forced to match up with some of the best in the competition that would normally go to Rance. He has taken this new role by storm and shown time and time again why he is one of the best defenders in the AFL, his reading of the play and ability to spoil in the marking contests has meant that the loss of Rance hasn’t been as catastrophic as it could have been. He will possibly match up on Mason Cox or Jordan De Goey and look to keep their impact on the game to as small as possible. He is huge for us and often criminally under rated, he has the potential to guide us to victory in the defensive aspect of things.
6. Revenge; Emotions will be on a high after the recent pain Collingwood has inflicted on us, the contest will be explosive from all players involved. We will come out with a point to prove and fire in our bellies. The spectacle is breathtaking in front of 80,000 + at the MCG on a Friday night. Bring it on!
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