And so we arrive at an interesting point on our journey, our first meeting with nine-year Magpie Chris Tarrant. It appears as if Taz has made a handy, if not spectacular start in life as a Docker. However, the true test of his mettle will be this week, when he appears against former comrades in Simon Prestigiacomo and Harry O'Brien.
It must not be lost amongst all this is that another important stepping stone in Collingwood’s development. A win is paramount, we have not beaten Fremantle since 2004, and Chris Connolly’s mob is just the sort we need to defeat if we are to label ourselves genuine contenders.
The Match Ups:
The two big asks for the week are Matthew Pavlich and Tarrant. Any side with two All-Australian powerhouses in attack are going to prove a handful, but thankfully, not only do we have the men with the capacity to shut them down, but we also have our own twin attacking talls in Anthony Rocca and Travis Cloke.
The meteoric rise of Harry O'Brien to footballing stardom continued last week, spending a quarter keeping Jonathon Brown under control. Expect to see the Big H tackle the hard-running, long leading Tarrant, he himself one who can claim to have the tank to run with the best in the business. Of course, our old miser, Simon Prestigiacomo is purring along nicely, and will surely be Mick Malthouse’s first choice to take on Pavlich.
In our attacking fifty, Rocca is likely to be met by Luke McPharlin, while Cloke should face off with the similarly athletic Michael Johnson.
On ball, the Dockers have a litany of rovers in the mould of Peter Bell, Shaun McManus, Heath Black and Paul Hasleby, who are hard working and scrap for each and every possession. The likes of Scott Burns, Tarkyn Lockyer and Shane O'Bree, all terrific so far for the Black and White, will need to continue to produce their career best form to keep us in the hunt, while the speed of Alan Toovey and Scott Pendlebury will be vital assets in acquiring the four points.
The form guide:
Collingwood fought off a persistent, workmanlike Brisbane to return from the Gabba 33 point victors, tearing the paint off the changeroom walls for the first time since 1995. Midfielders Pendlebury, Burns and Johnson were the instigators, while Lockyer equalled his career best statistical record in gathering 32 possessions.
Meanwhile, on Friday night, the Dockers outclassed an injury depleted St Kilda by 40 points, Peter Bell again outstanding in the midfield.
Head to Head since 2000:
Collingwood: 4
Fremantle: 7
As unbelievable as it may seem, we trail Fremantle head to head since 2000, four to seven, and have not beaten them since round 19 2004. It is a record which simply must change, and will, no doubt, this Friday night.
I’m sure all readers recall the magic of Nathan Buckley against Fremantle over the years. Who can forget his 43 possession effort in game 100 against the Dockers in round 15 of 1997 at Victoria Park? Did I mention we won by 100 points, with Sav Rocca (who often saved his best for Freo) scoring nine goals, snapping his form struggles?
Fast forward time to 2001 at Colonial Stadium in round two, with Bucks again at the coalface, accumulating an unheard of 46 possessions and two goals en route to a comfortable victory.
There was also the touching tribute to club legend Bob Rose in round 15, 2003. At the end of the week which marked a hero’s passing, the Pies put on a show Bob would have been proud of, Buckley guiding the side to their third win in succession.
The X-Factors:
Collingwood: Paul Medhurst – It ain’t only Taz who’s facing the former team this week. Medhurst is the latest in a string of Dockers to join the Magpies, following in the footsteps of James Clement and Brodie Holland.
Fremantle: – Roger Hayden – Though often unnoticed, Roger Hayden is a vital cog in the Fremantle machine, his run and carry off halfback a key element in the Dockers handsome form over the past 12 months.
Broadcast guide:
TV: Channel 7, 8:30pm
Radio: 3AW, 3MMM, ABC, SEN 1116
The tip: In one of the most highly anticipated matches of recent times, I expect Collingwood to continue their winning form, overcoming Fremantle in a fierce encounter. Collingwood by 18 points.
