AFL 2018 - Semi Final - Collingwood v G.Western Sydney, MCG, Saturday, 7.25pm

Who will win in Pies v Giants Semi Final?

  • Collingwood

    Votes: 28 45.9%
  • GWS Giants

    Votes: 33 54.1%

  • Total voters
    61
  • Poll closed .

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Jul 2, 2010
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Adelaide
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Carlton
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Summary

The Magpies had their opportunities to upset West Coast in their qualifying final clash, but now have to turn their attention to a semi-final contest – to keep their season alive – against Greater Western Sydney. The Giants were impressive in a 49-point hiding of Sydney, dismantling their crosstown rivals and keeping the Swans to their lowest score – since moving to Sydney – in a final. The battle around clearances will be a fascinating element in Friday night's game, with both teams boasting strong midfield units.

What happened this year?

Round two: Greater Western Sydney 15.5 (95) def Collingwood 12.7 (79) at the MCG

Greater Western Sydney notched its second ever win at the MCG, withstanding a brave Collingwood fightback to win by 16 points in a fierce Easter Saturday contest.

Last 5 times

R2, 2018, GWS Giants 15.5 (95) d Collingwood 12.7 (79) at the MCG
R8, 2017, GWS Giants 15.12 (102) d Collingwood 15.9 (99) at Spotless Stadium
R16, 2016, Collingwood 19.11 (125) d GWS Giants 14.9 (93) at Spotless Stadium
R11, 2015, Collingwood 18.11 (119) d GWS Giants 11.11 (77) at the MCG
R22, 2014, Collingwood 11.9 (75) d GWS Giants 9.13 (67) at Spotless Stadium

What to watch for

Collingwood

1. The Magpies' tackling pressure to ramp up. Collingwood laid 64 tackles against the Eagles. Look for them to key in on this area against the Giants.

2. Pour time and effort into Toby Greene. Greene is the Giants' matchwinner, so expect Brayden Maynard or Levi Greenwood to try to shut him down.

3. Keep Lachie Whitfield accountable. The All Australian pushed more onto the wing with Zac Williams back in the Giants' team. Whitfield is dangerous.

Greater Western Sydney

1. Stephen Coniglio to go to Steele Sidebottom and try to keep him in check. Sidebottom is often the talisman for the Pies, so the Giants will put a lot of work into him.

2. Phil Davis to play another critical role after outpointing Lance Franklin. Stopping Mason Cox, and preventing him from getting to marking contests, will be a priority.

3. Harry Himmelberg to play another key role. The mobile forward's impact will be important to assist the likes of Toby Greene and Jeremy Cameron.

THE SIX POINTS

1. The Giants led by just a single point at three-quarter-time in round two before kicking five goals to three in the final quarter. Giants onballer Stephen Coniglio starred with 27 disposals, three goals, five inside 50s and seven clearances.

2. Collingwood has been the highest-ranked disposal team all season, the only team to average more than 400 touches per game all year. The Giants are mid-table for disposals with an average of 380.8.

3. The Giants have now won the past two clashes between the sides ending Collingwood's dominance. The Magpies won the first five matches in 2012-16 including a 120-point thrashing in 2012.

4. GWS continues to be the No.1 clearance team in 2018, averaging 39.6. But Collingwood has also been strong in this area, ranked fourth with an average of 37.7.

5. If Collingwood loses, it will be the first time since 1992 it has finished top four and failed to win a final. The Giants will be aiming for consecutive finals wins for the first time in club history.

6. Taylor Adams was the top-ranked Magpie in the Schick AFL Player Ratings and the third-best player on the ground in the Collingwood-West Coast qualifying final.

WHAT THE COACHES SAY

Nathan Buckley: "We're still in the fight … we won't dwell or cry over spilt milk. We have an opportunity now to make sure we in some ways take the lessons from this experience and dust ourselves off and go again." – after Saturday night's loss to West Coast

Leon Cameron: "From Toby (Greene) and Brett (Deledio) and Matty (De Boer) in the front half, to Zac (Williams) in the back half, they all contributed in a manner that made them look like they'd been playing for a month. There's no doubt they're hungry for more, so we have to get them ready for next week." – Cameron on returning players from injury.

IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
Toby Greene. After much discussion about his controversial technique in marking contests this week, Greene could be the difference between the Giants winning and losing. GWS is a much better side with its star playmaker in the line-up. Look for him to have another big game.
 

Isaac Cumming No 1

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Game day and the nerves are starting to kick in. I will be at the G, partly because if I watch big games on TV I keep wanting to smash things. Also the experience if a final at the G in front of a big crowd of course, :( even if they are mostly Magpie supporters.

I give us a chance today, but it 's no certainty. A couple of points:-

1. Much is made of our record at the G, but bear in mind we rarely play there. One game in 2016 and 2017 and two this year. One final last year which we lost to the Tigers.
Oddly we've played 4 of 6 finals in NSW and won 3, including two away games against the Swans. Our record is two from two losses interstate. We're definitely due to change that.
I cant see the MCG winning the game for the Magpies though, but their team could.

2. Keefe will play on Cox, there's no other reason I can imagine for bringing him in to replace Perryman, who us unlucky and had a good game last week.

3. With William's back and Whitfield back to the wing we can cover Kelly's loss better than we could earlier in the season. He's been playing wing this year as we've needed outside run.

Tomlinson can provide the run on the other wing but we might choose to use him to try and cover Grundy around the ground. Lobb will ruck but it makes sense to me for us to use him as an attacking weapon around the ground.

In that case maybe Deledio on the wing instead of the high half forward role he's played mostly this year.

4. The game will be won or lost in the fight for the ball, as most games are. The Magpies mids in particular seek the contest and relish it. We'll need to be at our best around the clearances and in general play. Our mids are good enough, but have to bring it today.

5. Toby will again be controversial, and will enjoy it. I get he'll need to be careful, if he uses his feet it has to be in a single movement with the marking attempt. We will not be sending him out there in a final with his hands tied behind his back though. We will try and isolate him one out in the forward 50 as much as possible, and let him do his thing.

With hope and prejudice I believe we will win by 4 goals.
 
Feb 21, 2016
2,195
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Collingwood
Game day and the nerves are starting to kick in. I will be at the G, partly because if I watch big games on TV I keep wanting to smash things. Also the experience if a final at the G in front of a big crowd of course, :( even if they are mostly Magpie supporters.

I give us a chance today, but it 's no certainty. A couple of points:-

1. Much is made of our record at the G, but bear in mind we rarely play there. One game in 2016 and 2017 and two this year. One final last year which we lost to the Tigers.
Oddly we've played 4 of 6 finals in NSW and won 3, including two away games against the Swans. Our record is two from two losses interstate. We're definitely due to change that.
I cant see the MCG winning the game for the Magpies though, but their team could.

2. Keefe will play on Cox, there's no other reason I can imagine for bringing him in to replace Perryman, who us unlucky and had a good game last week.

3. With William's back and Whitfield back to the wing we can cover Kelly's loss better than we could earlier in the season. He's been playing wing this year as we've needed outside run.

Tomlinson can provide the run on the other wing but we might choose to use him to try and cover Grundy around the ground. Lobb will ruck but it makes sense to me for us to use him as an attacking weapon around the ground.

In that case maybe Deledio on the wing instead of the high half forward role he's played mostly this year.

4. The game will be won or lost in the fight for the ball, as most games are. The Magpies mids in particular seek the contest and relish it. We'll need to be at our best around the clearances and in general play. Our mids are good enough, but have to bring it today.

5. Toby will again be controversial, and will enjoy it. I get he'll need to be careful, if he uses his feet it has to be in a single movement with the marking attempt. We will not be sending him out there in a final with his hands tied behind his back though. We will try and isolate him one out in the forward 50 as much as possible, and let him do his thing.

With hope and prejudice I believe we will win by 4 goals.
50/50 game for sure.
 

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Apr 28, 2008
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Oddly, this is the final I'm most looking forward to thus far (probably helped by the 2 game weekend). Like the match-up and wilful youth, and I think Collingwood like the Bulldogs could make a good finals rivalry with GWS (especially long-term given their franchising into AFLW and Netball).

Both sides scoring 60 something points please, lots of behinds! Dead legs!
 

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dmoore30

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Dec 3, 2014
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Weather is meant to hold off tonight thankfully. Going to be roughly 9 degrees with only a 7% chance of rain and the wind will drop dramatically. Looks like the footy gods have come just in time to save this one from some disarstourous conditions that were predicted earlier this week.
 

Americanpies

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May 16, 2016
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Bit worried about this one. GWS are a different side when Toby Greene is playing. He just gives them that X Factor that they otherwise lack.
 

dean33

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Oct 10, 2007
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Interesting with keefe brought in presumably for Cox, with the weather expected is it necessary? Cox might be a non entity tonight regardless if the weather turns Armageddon.
 

mick500

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Feb 17, 2012
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Let's watch Toby Greene be crucified for something which On a regular weekend of footy with 9 games being played, putting your foot up like Toby Greene would happen 5 times a week. He just did it 5 times in 1 game and now he's being targeted for something no one else has EVER been targeted before.

The afl is a joke . Like when they decided they were going to "keep an eye on Crowley" before the match had started. That's called bias. Or cheating if you will.

If he gets a free paid against him for putting his foot up to protect the area around him which has been called "smart play" for years I will not be impressed and expect any contact from the legs when going for the mark to be a free kick.
 
Sep 14, 2005
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You know what?

Win or lose, I don’t give a *.

I’m going tonight, I’m going to freeze my arse off but I’m going to watch Collingwood play a home final at the MCG and I’m just going to enjoy it for the first time in a few years, regardless of the result.

It’s good to be back in September and regardless of tonight’s result, the future is bright for the Magpies.

10 other club’s supporters would love to be in the position so I’m not going to allow emotion to get in the way.
 

Isaac Cumming No 1

Cancelled
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You know what?

Win or lose, I don’t give a ****.

I’m going tonight, I’m going to freeze my arse off but I’m going to watch Collingwood play a home final at the MCG and I’m just going to enjoy it for the first time in a few years, regardless of the result.

It’s good to be back in September and regardless of tonight’s result, the future is bright for the Magpies.

10 other club’s supporters would love to be in the position so I’m not going to allow emotion to get in the way.
:D15 clubs supporters actually
 

Isaac Cumming No 1

Cancelled
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Let's watch Toby Greene be crucified for something which On a regular weekend of footy with 9 games being played, putting your foot up like Toby Greene would happen 5 times a week. He just did it 5 times in 1 game and now he's being targeted for something no one else has EVER been targeted before.

The afl is a joke . Like when they decided they were going to "keep an eye on Crowley" before the match had started. That's called bias. Or cheating if you will.

If he gets a free paid against him for putting his foot up to protect the area around him which has been called "smart play" for years I will not be impressed and expect any contact from the legs when going for the mark to be a free kick.
It's the nuffies targeting him not the AFL. Meh.....
 

mick500

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Feb 17, 2012
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It's the nuffies targeting him not the AFL. Meh.....
It will translate to on field free kicks and/or him not being able to do what he's done all year in the most important match of the year for him so far.. And it just happens to be against Collingwood. Or be penalised for something he hasn't been ever penalised for before in his career.
 

Isaac Cumming No 1

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It will translate to on field free kicks and/or him not being able to do what he's done all year in the most important match of the year for him so far.. And it just happens to be against Collingwood. Or be penalised for something he hasn't been ever penalised for before in his career.
I dont think it will. I do beleive there are a lot of Victorians that would like it to, or failing that the club to lose it's nerve and require him to make changes.
I dont beleive either will happen though
 

mick500

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Feb 17, 2012
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I dont think it will. I do beleive there are a lot of Victorians that would like it to, or failing that the club to lose it's nerve and require him to make changes.
I dont beleive either will happen though
He will get called for "dangerous conduct" if he does what he did last week. I would bet my house on it.
 
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