This week’s battle on a Saturday afternoon at the MCG promises to be another physical encounter, with both teams looking to snatch the edge on the rest of the competition and jump to a 3-1 start. For the loser, they’re back with the pack. The winner receives a handy buffer, a platform on which to build bigger and better things.
Key Match Ups:
Josh Fraser and Brendan Lade, two players considered to exemplify the modern day ruckmen, will clash on Saturday in a duel likely to have a strong say as to who will end the match victorious. Lade, the All-Australian ruckman of 2006, will be forced to carry out the majority of the ruck work, with the news that Dean Brogan will be absent with an ankle complaint.
Fraser will also receive support from Guy Richards, who has continued to improve with every showing this season.
The form guide:
Both sides are 2-1, the Woods having overrun the Kangaroos in round one and last week Richmond, wedged in between a hard fought loss to West Coast in Perth.
Port Adelaide surprised many with their upset first round win over Fremantle at Subiaco, following that with a three goal win over the Roos. They crashed back to earth last week in losing to Adelaide in the Showdown, with inaccuracy proving their nemesis.
Injuries:
Nathan Buckley is still a game or two away from resumption from his hamstring injury, while Ryan Lonie (groin) is still under a cloud. Alan Didak is still not quite ready to resume from his knee troubles.
Port Adelaide have been struck down by two key injuries to front men Dean Brogan (ankle) and Danyle Pearce (hamstring) in the past week, the pair ruled out of this week’s bout at the ‘G.
Head to Head since 2000:
Collingwood: 6
Port Adelaide: 5
Despite a poor run of fixturing luck, which saw Collingwood travel to AAMI Stadium to meet the Power on seven successive occasions from 2000 to 2003 without one match played at the MCG, the Magpies still hold the wood over the Power in the head-to-head stakes, thanks largely to their three match winning streak since round 14 2005, coupled with their finals successes of 2002 and 2003.
Although the Power won the Home and Away clash in’02 (albeit in controversial circumstances – Kane Cornes, we have long memories), Collingwood hit hard when it counted most, cramping Port’s style of play to record an inspirational 13 point triumph in enemy territory in perhaps the club’s finest hour since the 1990 Grand Final.
12 months later, the two sides met again in September, although this time on Collingwood’s turf in a Preliminary Final. Although the Power got the early jump, the Woods were rarely troubled thereafter, fuelled by Shane Woewodin and Nathan Buckley onball.
And who could forget Buckley and Alan Didak’s magic in the final term of the two sides’ round 20 meeting last year, hauling the side over the line.
The X-Factors:
Collingwood: Leon Davis – a proven track record against Mark Williams’ men, having troubled them in front of goal since 2002, including a four goal haul in round nine of that season.
Port Adelaide: Brett Ebert – like Davis, a small forward with the knack of an ice-breaking goal. He has troubled the Pies in the past with four majors last year. Strong overhead.
Broadcast guide:
TV: Channel 10, 3:00pm.
Radio: 3AW, 3MMM 12:00pm.
The tip: Collingwood will no doubt be buoyed by its win over Richmond fuelled by the spirit of youth combined with the hardened veterans. On its home turf, and with the potential inclusion of Alan Didak, the Magpies will prove very hard to beat. Collingwood by 18 points.
