Collingwood's loss to Hawthorn on Friday night dashed its flickering hopes of a top four finish at the end of the home and away season, so the task facing the Pies is to win at least one more match to ensure they play their opening final in Melbourne. They should get the points here, with a week to prepare and playing at home, against a side on a short week having to travel across the country. West Coast was terribly disappointing in losing by 66 points to Geelong, ruling itself out of finals contention once and for all. This shaped as a Grand Final preview at the start of the season and it is hard to believe that after 22 weeks, it will count for virtually nought.
WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Friday August 23 7.50pm
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide and odds
LAST FIVE TIMES
1SF, 2012, Collingwood 10.13 (73) d West Coast 9.6 (60) at the MCG
R22, 2012, West Coast 15.17 (107) d Collingwood 8.10 (58) at Patersons Stadium
R13, 2012, Collingwood 12.13 (85) d West Coast 12.10 (82) at the MCG
1QF, 2011, Collingwood 12.10 (82) d West Coast 9.8 (62) at the MCG
R10, 2011, Collingwood 16.9 (105) d West Coast 7.11 (53) at the MCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. Collingwood and West Coast haven't played since last year's first semi-final, which the Magpies won by 13 points.
2. The Magpies have dominated the Eagles recently winning eight of the last nine contests including a club record seven straight wins from 2007-12.
3. This will be the 43rd clash between the sides, with the Eagles holding a 21-20 edge. There has been one draw.
4. This will be only the second time in history Collingwood and West Coast have played a Friday night blockbuster at the MCG.
5. The game could be won and lost in the ruck - West Coast is ranked second for hit-outs this season compared to Collingwood, which is ranked last.
6. Magpie pair Scott Pendlebury and Dane Swan remain comfortably ensconced in the top 10 of the Official AFL Player Ratings. If Nic Naitanui (ranked 12) doesn't play, the next best-ranked West Coast player will be Shannon Hurn at No.30.
