AFL 2017 - R23 - Collingwood v Melbourne 13:45 AEST MCG

[_Mike_]

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Forecast for the rest of Saturday
Summary

Max 16
Mostly cloudy.
Possible rainfall: 0 mm
Chance of any rain: 20%

Melbourne area
Mostly cloudy. Slight (30%) chance of a shower later tonight. Winds west to northwesterly and light increasing to 15 to 25 km/h during the day.

Match Preview

There will be no easing up for the seventh-placed Demons in this final-round clash given a loss could put paid to their hopes of ending their 11-year finals drought. This looms as a danger game against the nothing-to-lose Magpies. Last week, the Demons just managed to hold off the bottom side, the Brisbane Lions, and the pesky Pies at the MCG might well prove a tougher proposition, considering they pushed flag contender Geelong to the limit last week despite missing eight players from their preferred 22. The Pies will welcome back star ruckman Brodie Grundy from suspension and his duel with Max Gawn shapes as a beauty. The Demons should stretch the Pies' depleted midfield and expose their lack of height in defence, particularly following Jesse Hogan's six-goal haul in his first game back from injury.

1. In their Queen's Birthday clash in round 12, the Magpies led by 28 points in the second term before the Demons piled on nine of the next 12 goals to triumph by four points. Jack Watts and Christian Petracca kicked three goals each.

2. Melbourne has won the past four clashes between the sides. The Demons haven't won five in a row against the Pies since 1988.

3. It will be a contest between the two highest-disposal teams in the competition. Melbourne has been first almost all season in averaging 406 a game, while the Magpies aren't far behind with 403.8.

4. The Magpies will finish the season as the No.1 uncontested possession side with an average of 260.6, while Melbourne is ranked fifth on 251.4.

5. Melbourne is one of the best contested possession teams, ranked second with an average of 154.1, well ahead of Collingwood, which is seventh with 144.5.

6. Melbourne co-captain Nathan Jones has reasserted himself in the Schick AFL Player Ratings. Since returning from injury in round 20, the midfielder has lifted his ranking from No.49 to a career-best No.31. He is second at Melbourne, behind Max Gawn (No.16).


PREDICTION: Collingwood by 2 points

 

[VanDemonxx]

Please Melbourne. Just please

 

[Bluelegs]

 

[Bokonon_]

Should be a great midfield battle. Pies seem to play well when their seasons done, but Demons to get the job done narrowly.

 

[demondavey]

Should have the drive and desire to accept nothing less than a win, and anything less is unacceptable. I've seen some really good performances from us this year and some dismal ones. I seriously hope we come in with the mindset that it's bust (potentially) if we don't win today.

Come on boys, let's put it together and get the win and play finals!

 

[puntking]

got a feeling the pies will get up here

 

[mike123]

Don't care if we win just want Kirby to kick a bag.

 

[newblueo]

will be a good test of pies youth which are just not much chop so dees bby 6 goals.

 

[Xtreme]

Draw

 

[gordo2016]

Woods by 34 points. Melbourne were lucky to beat Brisbane and the pies have been in good form and will win this easily.

 

[RUNVS]

Most important game that Melbourne has played in a decade.

 

[Americanpies]

Woods by 34 points. Melbourne were lucky to beat Brisbane and the pies have been in good form and will win this easily.

Good form? last week we had 38 inside 50s for the game. Only straight kicking kept us in it. I don't see us as standing a chance here.. Grundy, Goldsack and Kirby won't add much to that inside 50 count. Our injury list is huge with big game players on there - Pendlebury, Wells, Greenwood, Fasolo, De Goey, Reid. No way Collingwood wins without these guys...

 

[adammania9]

Kirby will kick 7 goals

 

[donkeypunchd]

It's time for the MFC to cast off the mental scars of seasons past and put this club back where it belongs. We have a decent list, decent coach and have shown resilience this season that was lacking in the past. Time to take that next step today at our home ground

 

[happy punter]

Most important game that Melbourne has played in a decade.

Agreed

 

[Dez!]

Kirby will kick 7 goals

I'm tipping he'll give away 5 free kicks, 3 50m penalties and get reported.

 

[Capt Hindsight]

Melbourne surely get a comfortable 5-6 goal win. Only missing Viney.
Pies will put plenty of effort in but way too many outs.

 

[Frank Gallagher]

I'm tipping he'll give away 5 free kicks, 3 50m penalties and get reported.

He might give the umpire a smack as well.

 

[Power Raid]

I'd back the Dees by a margin

 

[Rack Watts]

Second game this season I've wanted the pies to win. I feel ill.

 

[Smartest Brain]

How long have Collingwood been playing that unattractive, uncontested style like they did against port and Geelong? I haven't caught many of their games this season.

Hopefully melbourne can win they deserve some success.

 

[hutchy31]

Game of the weekend imo, given the ramifications for the dees. Hopefully a close one but they get up, would be good to see them in September.

 

[demondavey]

Apparently this Kirby chap is supposed to be some great white hope for Collingwood. Getting talked up a lot, hopefully he doesn't disappoint all these Collingwood fans on debut.

 

[DevilsAvocado]

It's time for the MFC to cast off the mental scars of seasons past and put this club back where it belongs. We have a decent list, decent coach and have shown resilience this season that was lacking in the past. Time to take that next step today at our home ground

If we win you should hangs your avatar and lift free the veil of negativity!!!

 

[DevilsAvocado]

Apparently this Kirby chap is supposed to be some great white hope for Collingwood. Getting talked up a lot, hopefully he doesn't disappoint all these Collingwood fans on debut.

Got smashed by melbournes reserves. Now he is going to play against Melbournes seniors...