Head to head: Collingwood 149 wins, St Kilda 55 wins, one draw
In finals: Collingwood 3 wins, St Kilda 5 wins
Last time: St Kilda 20.8 (128) d Collingwood 5.10 (40), round 7, 2009, at Etihad Stadium
MISSING IN ACTION
Collingwood
Scott Pendlebury (back) – test
Tristan Francis (groin) – indefinite
St Kilda
Michael Gardiner (hamstring) – assess
Matt Maguire (hamstring) – assess
Paul Cahill (ankle) – indefinite
Xavier Clarke (knee) – indefinite
FORM
Collingwood: WWWWL
St Kilda: WWLLW
SUMMARY
There’s no doubt last week’s loss to the Western Bulldogs was a hiccup for Collingwood. Coach Mick Malthouse has said it doesn’t matter who his team plays, but a crack at the wounded Geelong might have looked more enticing than playing the top team.
The Pies will move on, but not before looking deeper and more thoroughly than ever at what went wrong against the Dogs. Not a lot has been going wrong over the past three months for the Pies, who have lost just twice since late May.
The clash with St Kilda is a bit of unknown, despite the earlier result this season. The Saints belted Collingwood but Malthouse’s side was without Alan Didak, Leon Davis and Paul Medhurst. Josh Fraser and Dane Swan also copped injuries in that match, along with Dale Thomas.
How much can be taken from that result? One thing is certain; the Magpies are now playing with more confidence and on the familiar MCG they are certain to be more competitive this time around.
St Kilda might have lost its air of invincibility in recent weeks, but one wonders how much motivation Ross Lyon’s team has had over the final rounds. Top position was sewn up long ago, so perhaps the ladder leader was preserving its energy for the finals, where high-pressure, high-impact footy will really be put to the test.
The Saints, like Collingwood, have a healthy list and the fact remains they lost just two matches for the year – both by under a kick. As a result, they will rightfully start September favourites to win the club’s second flag.
In round 22, following two straight losses, St Kilda warmed up for its qualifying final with its first look at the MCG for the season. The eight-goal win over Melbourne might not have flattered but several stars found form.
The Saints also have fond memories against the Pies. Not only did they eliminate them from last year’s finals, but Nick Riewoldt (five goals), Nick Dal Santo and Leigh Montagna (both 38 possessions) were standouts in the round seven win.
QUESTION MARKS
- It’s been a talking point for weeks, but is this the game when Mick Malthouse rolls the dice? Anthony Rocca has spent a couple of months in the VFL. Will the big man be unleashed in September?
- Nick Riewoldt has taken 26 marks and kicked 10 goals in his past two matches against Collingwood. Can Malthouse find the right match-up to stop the Saints skipper’s domination of the Pies?
- Collingwood appears far more potent than when the two teams met in round seven. On that night, they lost the inside 50 count by just one – 47-46. Can they again penetrate the Saints’ defence and, if so, what damage might they be able to inflict?
VFL
Casey Scorpions v Collingwood
Where and when: Saturday, September 5, TEAC Oval at 1.10pm
Last time: Casey Scorpions 16.19 (115) d Collingwood 7.11 (53), round 14, 2009, at Trevor Barker Beach Oval
Collingwood’s VFL team wrapped up preparations for the finals with a convincing win over Geelong in heavy conditions last week.
This weekend the Magpies meet the Casey Scorpions (Melbourne’s VFL affiliate) in the second elimination final.
Collingwood VFL line-up:
B: Clarke, N Brown, Goldsack
HB: Cook, Reid, Corrie
C: Wellingham, McCarthy, Barham
HF: Macaffer, Dawes, Stanley
F: Bryan, Rocca, Dick
Foll: Wood, Sidebottom, Beams
Int: (from) Thoolen, Colbert, Blight, Peverill, Bennell, Keeffe, Rusling, Dyas, Reed, Blair, K Pendlebury, Rounds
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
