Season to date:
TWO LOSSES in their previous two matches have cast a shadow over the Magpies' season, but Collingwood is the only side to have beaten the premiers Geelong this year – and convincingly too.
What's more, a barnstorming 100-point demolition of West Coast further emphasised their finals credentials in the post Nathan Buckley era.
Mick Malthouse's seventh-placed team goes into this clash 7-6 with 28 points.
Recent form:
Round nine – Collingwood 20.14 (134) def Geelong 7.6 (48)
Round 10 – Collingwood 27.11 (173) def West Coast 10.13 (73)
Round 11 – Collingwood 17.14 (116) def Melbourne 13.17 (95)
Round 12 – Collingwood 12.17 (89) lost to Carlton17.17 (119)
Round 13 – Collingwood 13.11 (89) lost to Western Bulldogs 15.9 (99)
Last time out:
Collingwood 18.17 (125) def Sydney Swans 13.9 (87), elimination final, 2007 at MCG.
Spearhead Anthony Rocca killed off the Swans' finals hopes with a six-goal show. In the face of a second quarter fightback by the Swans to drag the lead back to a goal, Collingwood pulled away in the second half to record a crucial 38-point victory.
Impressive Magpie Scott Pendlebury with 24 possessions, and three goals apiece to Travis Cloke and Sean Rusling, were the difference for Mick Malthouse's side. The only negative was poor accuracy with 17 behinds.
For the Swans, Michael O'Loughlin with four goals and the always reliable Brett Kirk and Adam Goodes with 26 and 29 possessions respectively were the pick of the Bloods as they exited the finals in week one.
The venue: ANZ Stadium
Collingwood will feel confident at ANZ after winning their previous two matches against the Swans on the ground. The Magpies are ahead 3-2 in the five matches on the venue since 2003.
The coach: Mick Malthouse
One of the best at fostering younger talent, the occasionally outspoken two-time premiership coach began his career at Footscray in 1984, but it was at the Eagles in the 90s where he won his two flags. Now into his ninth season with Collingwood, his overall coaching win-loss record is 322-251 with four draws.
Malthouse has also been named coach of the Australian team to take on Ireland in the revived International Rules Series.
Strengths:
The Magpies are an even side across the board who tackle well with a clutch of very exciting youngsters alongside some seasoned stars. Scott Pendlebury, Travis Cloke, Ben Reid, Dale Thomas, Heath Shaw, Martin Clarke and 21-year-old beanpole defender Tyson Goldsack are just some of the raw talent coming through.
They're developing well alongside clever players like Alan Didak, tough on-baller Scott Burns, Leon Davis, currently injured ruckman Josh Fraser and forward Paul Medhurst, who has 35 goals to his name this season. And of course veteran Anthony Rocca continues to supply the star quality after the retirement of club great Nathan Buckley, although he too is injured and won't play against the Swans.
Missing in action:
Anthony Rocca: His absence is a huge blow with the forward expected to be out for two months following the round-13 loss to the Bulldogs. Young forward Ben Reid is also out for a similar timeframe. Brad Dick and Sean Rusling are both gone for the season with knee and shoulder issues respectively while Brodie Holland (achilles) is expected to be missing this week and next. Ryan Lonie, Josh Fraser and Leon Davis had tests during the week on shoulder, knee and ankle respectively.
The key: Pressure footy
Can the Magpies, without some of their more experienced heads, "out-Swan" the Swans and win in the tough, contested footy stakes? Both sides pride themselves on being strong tackling sides, so the pressure will be immense.
The young gun: Scott Pendlebury
In his second season at Collingwood, the 20-year-old left-footer has racked up 273 possessions in just 12 rounds. The classy midfielder finished second in last year's NAB AFL Rising Star award.
The questions:
How will both sides shape up after a week off?
Can the Swans snap the recent hoodoo against the black and whites?
How will both sides cope with the loss of stars Adam Goodes for the home side and Anthony Rocca for the visitors?
Will star ruckman Josh Fraser play for Collingwood and if so, in what role? Perhaps a tall marking forward in place of Rocca?
Which team will win the most contested footy?
Did you know?
Collingwood's biggest crowd was back in 1970 when 121,696 saw the VFL grand final between the Magpies and rivals Carlton at the MCG.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
