Collingwood went a combined 0-6 against North Melbourne, Carlton and Hawthorn in 2012, so coach Nathan Buckley sensed a major opportunity when the 2013 schedule handed the Magpies those three clubs to open the season. So far, they have beaten the Kangas and the Blues, so here is the chance for the hat-trick.
The key here will be the midfield. Sam Mitchell has dominated against Collingwood in recent times, with the Pies not having an obvious or effective match-up for the Hawk ball magnet. Lance Franklin is usually good for four or five goals against the Pies, so Ben Reid faces a busy afternoon. Hawthorn's forward line clicked into gear against West Coast last Sunday, racking up 23 goals. At times they went tall, while at other times they had Cyril Rioli playing one-out in the goal square, meaning Buckley will need to put plenty of time into his defensive match-ups.
At the other end, the Hawks need to decide whether this is the week Brian Lake – recruited to play on the likes of Travis Cloke – makes his Hawthorn debut. It's a big call, because the backline has fared well so far without him. The other big issue for the Hawks will be how they recuperate from the 32-degree heat in Perth last Sunday. Will they have the fresh legs?
WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Sunday April 14, 3.15pm
TV, RADIO AND BETTING: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
1QF, 2012: Hawthorn 20.15 (135) d Collingwood 15.7 (97) at the MCG
R17, 2012: Hawthorn 21.12 (138) d Collingwood 13.13 (91) at the MCG
R1, 2012: Hawthorn 20.17 (137) d Collingwood 16.19 (115) at the MCG
2PF, 2011: Collingwood 10.8 (68) d Hawthorn 9.11 (65) at the MCG
R15, 2011: Collingwood 15.16 (106) d Hawthorn 9.11 (65) at the MCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. Collingwood and Hawthorn met three times in 2012 and the Hawks won all three, including a 38-point win in their qualifying final meeting.
2. Hawthorn won the total possession count in two of the three 2012 clashes, but that didn’t stop Dane Swan collecting a career-high 49 possessions in round 17 at the MCG.
3. The Hawks have had the better of the Magpies recently, winning seven of the last 10 clashes including two victories by more than 50 points.
4. Lance Franklin clearly enjoys playing Collingwood. The star Hawk has kicked 46 goals in 11 games at 4.18 per game, including five or more five times.
5. Hawthorn holds a 14-11 record against the Magpies in their clashes at the MCG.
6. Since 2010, an average attendance of 80,400 has watched these teams at the MCG, with four crowds of over 80,000.
