Round 8 Preview: Collingwood v Eagles

Mr Q

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http://eagles.newman-knights.com/index.php?newsid=38

An ugly, ugly game last week at Subiaco (albeit with the right result!) sees the Eagles consolidate a top four spot for another week. This week the Eagles are back on the road, travelling back to Melbourne for the second time this year to face the Pies at Docklands on Saturday.

The positions of the two clubs are almost the reverse of what many would have predicted for this year with the Pies one of the pre-season favourites, and the Eagles expected to be around mid-table again in 2003. This is the first round that doesn't get repeated, and not surprisingly Collingwood play the Eagles at home in the only meeting for the H&A season.

This game will say a lot about both teams - should the Eagles win they must be aiming for a top four side, and will prove that being second on the ladder so far isn't a fluke. Collingwood have even more to prove, as they struggle to get a season back on track and show that last year's Grand Final appearance wasn't an overachievement.

Changes
A couple of changes have been made to the squad that squeezed past Geelong last weekend. Phil Read is out with an ankle injury, while Damien Adkins has been dropped again after his repreive last week. Adam Hunter and Kane Munro have also been dropped.

The big additions to the squad are the inclusion of David Wirrpunda and Daniel Kerr (obvious selections), while Jeremy Humm and Darren Glass have fought their way back into the side.

Click here for the squad

Lead up
Both teams are coming off victories last week that at times looked unlikely. The Eagles scrapped for three quarters against a better Geelong outfit before cruising off in the last quarter to register a 16 point win.

The Pies came back from the dead against the Crows at Crow Park, finally overhauling them with a goal after the siren to win by five.

In recent weeks the Eagles have won a real away game (over the Demons two weeks ago), and would be feeling a bit more confident on the road for it. In addition the Eagles have won three games in a row (Dockers-Demons-Cats) and are looking mostly in form.

The Pies form leading in to this match has been much shakier, with last weekend's win their first in four weeks, with losses to Brisbane at the Gabba, Essendon on Anzac Day and Sydney at Docklands in the three preceding weeks.

Injuries and Suspensions
West Coast's injury rooms are looking a little the worse for wear this week, with quite a few players looking in trouble for this match. Travis Gaspar (hamstring) will not be available (again!), and forgotten man David Sierakowski is also not available for another two weeks at least.

Phil Read has an ankle injury that will see him miss this week, while Dean Cox (corked thigh), David Wirrpunda (hamstring) and Daniel Kerr (ankle) are all going to have to face tests. Ben Cousins (cork, ankle, whatever), while not on the official injury list is certainly looking injured. Damien Adkins (concussion) may also not be available to play his old side. Of players in the WAFL who could be considered, Troy Wilson suffered a cork playing for the Royals last weekend and also may not be available. As East Perth kicked 12 goals in the last term Willo may be kicking himself for not being able to be out there.

Collingwood on the other hand have no real injuries other than long term knee victim Tarkyn Lockyer.

Match Ups
Michael Gardiner had an ordinary week last week against Geelong's Steven King, but his probable opponents this week, Josh Fraser and Steve McKee are not in his class, and their ability to negate Gardiner will be an integral part of the match.

The rest of the midfield could be interesting. Depending on which Eagles show up a combination of some of Daniel Kerr, Ben Cousins, Chris Judd and Chad Fletcher should be better than the Pies even with Nathan Buckley out there. However, it really depends on who gets out on the field to play.

On the negative side, the Eagles will have to find someone to play on Chris Tarrant, who is certainly in form up forward for the Pies so far in 2003 with 19 goals so far. The job is likely to go to Ashley McIntosh, and how he goes will determine whether the Pies can kick a big enough score.

At the other end of the ground, the Pies will have to find someone to match up on Eagles leading goalkicker Phil Matera who with 27 goals is leading the AFL. In addition they will have to find someone else to match up on the dangerous Ashley Sampi. The Eagles are the competitions highest scoring side so far this year, and the indoor venue at Docklands won't be conducive to low scoring.

2002
The Eagles and Magpies split the games last year, with both winning at home, Collingwood by one stinking point at the MCG and the Eagles crushing the Magpies by 58 at Subiaco

Round 2, M.C.G.
Collingwood 6.5 8.9 15.14 17.18 (120)
West Coast 3.2 8.5 12.9 18.11 (119)

Round 17, Subiaco Oval
West Coast 7.2 9.7 13.9 17.12 (114)
Collingwood 5.2 5.4 6.6 8.8 ( 56)

Head to Head
Played 27; Collingwood 9, West Coast 17, Draws 1.
Biggest Margin - Collingwood : Collingwood 26.17(173) d West Coast 14.8 (92) - 81 points, Docklands, R12 2001
Biggest Margin - West Coast : West Coast 20.15 (135) d Collingwood 8.6 (54) - 81 points, W.A.C.A Ground, R17 1991

Milestones
None (for us - who cares about the Pies anyway?)

Summary
This is quite a tough game to summarise. The Pies have not been in form in recent weeks, but its an away game for the Eagles; to mangle a saying: one away win does not make a season. Collingwood should be stronger opposition than Melbourne were a fortnight ago, and the travel hoodoo isn't quite gone yet. If this game were at Subiaco, I'd have no hesitation in tipping the Eagles, but its not, so I'll have to overrule my heart and tip Collingwood - narrowly

My prediction: Collingwood by three points
 

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Thrawn666

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#3
Originally posted by carlyp
I think if we can hold Tarrant we'll be alright. If we can't, look out!
tarrant wont be as much of a factor if we win the ball out of the midfield.

McKee is an average ruckman at best, but Collingwood's on ball brigade make the best of a bad situation. We have to be on top in the midfield, so it's good to see Kerr back to win the hardball. Hope he is fit because we dont need Collingwood rebounding through his opponent, theyve already got that option with Cousins.
 

noodle

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#4
i think that cox may be OK to play. no back up for him has been named in the emergencies and with gardi having the flu earlier in the week i just can't see him rucking a whole game. are there any other players in our 22 that could ruck in the centre?
 

carlyp

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#5
Originally posted by Thrawn666
tarrant wont be as much of a factor if we win the ball out of the midfield.

McKee is an average ruckman at best, but Collingwood's on ball brigade make the best of a bad situation. We have to be on top in the midfield, so it's good to see Kerr back to win the hardball. Hope he is fit because we dont need Collingwood rebounding through his opponent, theyve already got that option with Cousins.
uhuh fair point. The midfield is crucial. Im glad Kerr is back because as you say, the defensive side to cuss's game aint brilliant!
 

carlyp

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#6
Originally posted by noodle
i think that cox may be OK to play. no back up for him has been named in the emergencies and with gardi having the flu earlier in the week i just can't see him rucking a whole game. are there any other players in our 22 that could ruck in the centre?
Is Glass a ruck???
 

bunsen burner

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#9
Originally posted by carlyp
Is Glass a ruck???
Glass is a scrawny yout. If Cox can't play they might try Jako down back and have him take most of the boundary throw ins and maybe a few ball ups. Gardiner just the centre bounces and anywhere forward of centre.

I think they should bring Wilson in to help Gardiner. Forget the ball (well sort of pretend to go for it) and just charge in clean up McKee and Fraser. I reckon Fraser would be cowering behind his toupee.
 

carlyp

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#10
Originally posted by bunsen burner
Glass is a scrawny yout. If Cox can't play they might try Jako down back and have him take most of the boundary throw ins and maybe a few ball ups. Gardiner just the centre bounces and anywhere forward of centre.

I like that idea. It seems preety safe.

I think they should bring Wilson in to help Gardiner. Forget the ball (well sort of pretend to go for it) and just charge in clean up McKee and Fraser. I reckon Fraser would be cowering behind his toupee.
:D:D I like that idea too! LOL I know I would be scared ****less. The man is huge! You have to have seen him face to face just to see how big he is!
 

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