COLLINGWOOD'S season is trending upward after an impressive 35-point win over North Melbourne, while Essendon have dropped two games in a row and need a win to get their season back on track. A capacity crowd will pack the MCG when these two proud clubs face off on Anzac Day and, as usual, the game could go either way. Doubts over Brendan Goddard's fitness tip the scales slightly in Collingwood's favour, with their midfield in red-hot form. Travis Cloke returned to somewhere near his best last week and could prove a handful for Michael Hurley, Cale Hooker and co.
WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Friday April 25, 2.40 AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for the broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R5, 2013, Essendon 18.13 (121) d Collingwood 10.15 (75) at the MCG
R5, 2012, Collingwood 11.14 (80) d Essendon 11.13 (79) at the MCG
R5, 2011, Collingwood 16.11 (107) d Essendon 11.11 (77) at the MCG
R5, 2010, Collingwood 18.12 (120) d Essendon 8.7 (55) at the MCG
R5, 2009, Essendon 13.15 (93) d Collingwood 12.16 (88) at the MCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. This will be the 20th Anzac Day clash between the Magpies and Bombers, with Collingwood holding the advantage 10 wins to eight, with one draw.
2. Essendon remains the number one ranked team in 2014 for disposals, averaging 421.4 per game. Collingwood is ninth with 359.6 touches a game.
3. The Magpies are ranked third in the competition for marks inside 50, with an average of 14 per game. The Bombers average 12 per game to rank sixth.
4. Essendon's Dustin Fletcher has played in 16 of the 19 Anzac Day matches since the tradition started back in 1995.
5. Both sides have struggled in the inside 50s category in 2014. Collingwood is ranked 10th in the competition and Essendon is 11th, averaging 50 and 48 per game respectively.
6. Collingwood's Steele Sidebottom is on the move in the Official AFL Player Ratings, sitting at No. 36 in the competition. Essendon captain Jobe Watson is ranked fifth.
Prediction: Collingwood by 16 points
