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- Jul 15, 2014
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It’s time for the Grand Final rematch, and while this isn’t the blockbuster that was envisioned a few weeks ago, it is still set up to be a critical match, especially for the Magpies. Collingwood are coming off yet another deflating loss, falling to the Hawks after leading in the last quarter. Meanwhile, the Eagles are once again starting to build into some form, dismantling an inaccurate Dockers side.
The last time these two sides met was back in round three. The Magpies came into the match favorites, but the Eagles put to bed any talks of a Premiership hangover, running out 22 point winners. Grundy and De Goey were excellent for Collingwood, while Shuey and Gaff were very strong for the Eagles
Collingwood
The Magpie’s season is well and truly on the ropes right now. For the whole season, the Magpies were treading water, but now their season is starting to sink. Many thought the Magpies would bounce back after a putrid performance against North Melbourne, and while they somewhat improved, they were still disappointing, losing a close game. As a result of the loss, many are questioning whether the Magpies can not only compete for the flag, but also compete for a finals spot. Combined with a tight top eight, and a tough run home, it’s going to be a real slog from here on out. The real concern for Collingwood is their forward line. While the Magpies were not necessarily a scoring powerhouse in 2018, they still managed to consistently score. However, in 2019 any scoring power is effectively gone, and their isn’t much explanation as to why. The Magpies have relatively few injureis in their forward line, with Stephenson the only key figure missing from the 2018 forward line. However, players like Hoskin-Elliott, Josh Thomas, and Mason Cox are struggling, and this combined with poor midfield delivery has meant that Collingwood simply cannot score.
While the win over the Tigers earlier this season was seen as a positive, the Magpies desire to emulate that high possession game that was so effective against Richmond, has proven to be a curse, and as a result is preventing the Magpies from daring to move the ball forward, and take risks. If Collingwood are to get their season back on track, they need to modify this gameplan.
The man to watch for Collingwood is John Noble. The 22 year old midfielder was drafted in the newly formed mid-season draft, and gets his chance to show that the Magpies made the right call drafting him. Noble has shown that he knows how to get his hands on the football, winning more than 22 disposals in each of his past three games. Nathan Buckley hopes that Noble is able to add some speed to the Magpies, and help drive the ball inside-50, something they struggled to do against the Hawks.
West Coast Eagles
Once again, the Eagles are flying somewhat under the radar. While teams like Geelong, GWS, Collingwood and the Lions garner all the media attention, the Eagles keep plugging away, racking up those wins, and setting themselves up for a top four finish. While at times the West Coast have put some shockers out, they have managed to also quell the critics, with strong wins over some of the better teams in the competition. In the Derby last week, the Eagles flexed their muscle, restricting the Dockers to only 31, while piling on the goals themselves. Luke Shuey continued his brilliant season, while Andrew Gaff was consistent as always. An area in which the Eagles have improved is their scoring from clearances. In recent weeks, the Eagles have increased their scores from stoppages, with last week being their highest score from clearances since 2014. The key to the Eagles turnaround into strong premiership contenders in the back half of this season is their ability to retain possession. The Eagles have played a possession game, and this has resulted in higher quality entries inside-50.
The man to watch this week for the Eagles is Brad Sheppard. Sheppard will most likely get the all important assignment on Jordan De Goey. Sheppard has played very well in 2019, well and truly cemented his place as one of the best players in this brilliant West Coast side. If Sheppard is able to limit the influence of De Goey, it will stop the majority of the Magpie scoring power, and will effectively grab the win for the Eagles.
Head to Head odds
Collingwood: $3.05
Eagles: $1.38
Changes
Eagles
In: Kennedy, Cole
Out: Ah Chee, Duggan
Collingwood
In: Crocker, Noble, Greenwood
Out: Daicos, Thomas, Scharenberg
TV
Live of Channel Seven
Live on Fox Footy, Commercial Free
Radio
Triple M
3AW
ABC
SEN
IPTV
AFL Live Pass
Foxtel Now
WatchAFL
Kayo Sports
Tip
Currently, the Magpies are in all sorts, and the fact that this match is being played in W.A. makes it all the more difficult.
Eagles by 25.
The last time these two sides met was back in round three. The Magpies came into the match favorites, but the Eagles put to bed any talks of a Premiership hangover, running out 22 point winners. Grundy and De Goey were excellent for Collingwood, while Shuey and Gaff were very strong for the Eagles
Collingwood
The Magpie’s season is well and truly on the ropes right now. For the whole season, the Magpies were treading water, but now their season is starting to sink. Many thought the Magpies would bounce back after a putrid performance against North Melbourne, and while they somewhat improved, they were still disappointing, losing a close game. As a result of the loss, many are questioning whether the Magpies can not only compete for the flag, but also compete for a finals spot. Combined with a tight top eight, and a tough run home, it’s going to be a real slog from here on out. The real concern for Collingwood is their forward line. While the Magpies were not necessarily a scoring powerhouse in 2018, they still managed to consistently score. However, in 2019 any scoring power is effectively gone, and their isn’t much explanation as to why. The Magpies have relatively few injureis in their forward line, with Stephenson the only key figure missing from the 2018 forward line. However, players like Hoskin-Elliott, Josh Thomas, and Mason Cox are struggling, and this combined with poor midfield delivery has meant that Collingwood simply cannot score.
While the win over the Tigers earlier this season was seen as a positive, the Magpies desire to emulate that high possession game that was so effective against Richmond, has proven to be a curse, and as a result is preventing the Magpies from daring to move the ball forward, and take risks. If Collingwood are to get their season back on track, they need to modify this gameplan.
The man to watch for Collingwood is John Noble. The 22 year old midfielder was drafted in the newly formed mid-season draft, and gets his chance to show that the Magpies made the right call drafting him. Noble has shown that he knows how to get his hands on the football, winning more than 22 disposals in each of his past three games. Nathan Buckley hopes that Noble is able to add some speed to the Magpies, and help drive the ball inside-50, something they struggled to do against the Hawks.
West Coast Eagles
Once again, the Eagles are flying somewhat under the radar. While teams like Geelong, GWS, Collingwood and the Lions garner all the media attention, the Eagles keep plugging away, racking up those wins, and setting themselves up for a top four finish. While at times the West Coast have put some shockers out, they have managed to also quell the critics, with strong wins over some of the better teams in the competition. In the Derby last week, the Eagles flexed their muscle, restricting the Dockers to only 31, while piling on the goals themselves. Luke Shuey continued his brilliant season, while Andrew Gaff was consistent as always. An area in which the Eagles have improved is their scoring from clearances. In recent weeks, the Eagles have increased their scores from stoppages, with last week being their highest score from clearances since 2014. The key to the Eagles turnaround into strong premiership contenders in the back half of this season is their ability to retain possession. The Eagles have played a possession game, and this has resulted in higher quality entries inside-50.
The man to watch this week for the Eagles is Brad Sheppard. Sheppard will most likely get the all important assignment on Jordan De Goey. Sheppard has played very well in 2019, well and truly cemented his place as one of the best players in this brilliant West Coast side. If Sheppard is able to limit the influence of De Goey, it will stop the majority of the Magpie scoring power, and will effectively grab the win for the Eagles.
Head to Head odds
Collingwood: $3.05
Eagles: $1.38
Changes
Eagles
In: Kennedy, Cole
Out: Ah Chee, Duggan
Collingwood
In: Crocker, Noble, Greenwood
Out: Daicos, Thomas, Scharenberg
TV
Live of Channel Seven
Live on Fox Footy, Commercial Free
Radio
Triple M
3AW
ABC
SEN
IPTV
AFL Live Pass
Foxtel Now
WatchAFL
Kayo Sports
Tip
Currently, the Magpies are in all sorts, and the fact that this match is being played in W.A. makes it all the more difficult.
Eagles by 25.