Head to head: Carlton 123 wins, Collingwood 112 wins, four draws
Last time: Collingwood 14.10 (94) d Carlton 4.16 (40), round 17, 2009 at the MCG
MISSING IN ACTION
Carlton
Mark Austin (groin) - test
Paul Bower (leg) - test
Brad Fisher (knee) - 6-7 weeks
Shaun Hampson (hamstring) - test
Rhys O’Keeffe (hip) - test
Bret Thornton (ankle) - test
Andrew Walker (collarbone) - TBC
Collingwood
Josh Thomas (calf) - test
Ben Sinclair (shins) - test
Simon Prestigiacomo (groin) - 1 week
Anthony Corrie (knee) - 1 week
Brad Dick (shoulder) - 1-2 weeks
FORM
Carlton: WLLWW
Collingwood: WWLWW
SUMMARY
Carlton is defying pre-season expectations to sit inside the top eight after five rounds. The Blues, despite trading away Brendan Fevola, have still been finding a regular avenue to goal. Their midfield continues to win plenty of the ball while small forwards Eddie Betts, Chris Yarran and Jeff Garlett have added a new dimension in attack. Coach Brett Ratten made some tough calls after the round three loss to Essendon - dropping seasoned defenders Bret Thornton and Jarrad Waite - but it paid off.
Collingwood has responded superbly from its round three loss to St Kilda, crushing Hawthorn and then bulldozing the Bombers. While Mick Malthouse is again receiving strong input from regular stars such as Scott Pendlebury, Dane Swan and Heath Shaw, it has been the improvement of the youngsters that may see the Pies go an extra step in 2010. Sharrod Wellingham is a more complete player this season while fellow ballwinners Steele Sidebottom and Dayne Beams have also improved.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Age isn’t slowing down one-time Magpie Heath Scotland, who is playing some of his best football. Scotland will turn 30 this season and has collected more than 30 possessions on two occasions and provided plenty of run for Carlton off half back.
Collingwood’s Dale Thomas was a regular contributor last season but, early on, looks to have taken his game to a new level in 2010. He’s averaging 22 possessions, three tackles and a goal a game through five rounds and would be right up there in the Pies’ Copeland Trophy voting.
QUESTION MARKS
Collingwood’s backline is ranked third for ‘points against’ but faces a challenge with Carlton’s smaller, fleet-footed brigade. Can Shaw and Harry O’Brien provide the same drive while negating the Blues’ dangerous goalkickers?
Setanta O’hAilpin is the Blues leading goalkicker with 11 majors but has had little support from fellow tall forward Lachie Henderson. Can the former Lion hit the scoreboard on Sunday?
How will Mick Malthouse approach Chris Judd? He has been close to best afield in the two matches he has played this year. Can anyone from the Collingwood camp stop him?
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY?
Carlton overcame some big odds last week to topple the reigning premiers, but can it do so for the second straight week? Collingwood looks as even as any side in the competition and, apart from some yips in front of goal, hasn’t shown too many chinks in its armour. Malthouse’s side has depth, class and plenty of run - something the Cats seemed to lack last week.
PREDICTION:
Collingwood by 28 points.
Follow Murray Belkin’s inside view of Collingwood v Carlton at #aflbluespies on Twitter.com from 2.10pm (EST) Sunday or @AFL_MuzzBelkin#aflbluespies
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
