Season to date:
The Magpies have exceeded many pundits’ expectations and a win on Saturday night would see them jump back inside the top four. Seven wins from their first 11 matches has been a terrific first half to 2007, and while a mini injury crisis threatens to de-rail Collingwood’s season there is a steely resolve about this side that makes one doubt there will be a slide over the remaining rounds.
Recent form (Last five rounds):
Round 7 – Collingwood 17.17 (119) def
Round 8 – Western Bulldogs 20.15 (135) def Collingwood 14.18 (102)
Round 9 –
Round 10 – Collingwood 15.13 (103) def Fremantle 13.16 (94)
Round 11 –
Last time out:
Round 12, 2006 at Telstra Stadium
Collingwood 14.11 (95) def
Alan Didak was the difference on a night where there was little between the two teams. The Magpies got the jump on the home side and were never headed, as Didak’s creativity and four goals proved invaluable. Scott Burns, Rhyce Shaw and Ryan Lonie also impressed for Collingwood while Ryan O’Keefe, Leo Barry and Amon Buchanan found plenty of it for the Swans.
The venue:
Telstra Stadium will hold no fears for the Magpies. They have been involved in some crackerjack clashes at the ground in recent seasons, and got the chocolates last year in another blockbuster clash with the Swans. It will be a finals-like atmosphere and with an expected crowd in excess of 60,000, will be the perfect dress rehearsal for these sides should they both make it to September.
The Coach:
Mick Malthouse has had enough success and been around long enough to know how to manage his troops. He has them believing in themselves and playing an attractive style of footy. Despite his many years in the game, Malthouse never lacks enthusiasm or passion for the game and his teams play accordingly. It might be a younger Magpies outfit this week but each player will know he has the coach’s full confidence as he marches down the race – and that can do wonders for a player’s psyche.
Strengths:
While the Pies are pretty even across the paddock, perhaps their biggest asset and the one that might serve them best on Saturday and for the remainder of the season is their enormous self-belief. Their leaders – most notably Malthouse – has the side playing confident football and when they get on a roll they can be hard to stop. The youngsters feel as though they belong and with a vocal Magpie Army behind them, this side won’t go away at any stage during any match.
Missing in action:
The Pies’ injury woes have been well documented. They have been hit hardest in defence, with James Clement (calf), Simon Prestigiacomo (foot), Rhyce Shaw (hamstring) and Harry O'Brien (shoulder) – four of the side’s best back six – all missing again this week. Meanwhile, Chris Egan (knee) and Nathan Buckley (hamstring) both remain long-term propositions.
The key player – Anthony Rocca
Mick Malthouse said during the week he wasn’t too concerned by how many goals big Anthony was kicking. But his role and how many times he is involved in the play does have a big impact on the side. We all know Rocca can kick the big goal but his body work and clever taps to allow teammates to score is instrumental on how the Pies fare each week. If he can produce the goods against the Swans, the Pies will be half-way home.
The X Factor:
Can Barry Hall fire? Big Bad Bustling Barry has been struggling for a couple of weeks but his teammates and coach insist the Swans simply must deliver the ball better and faster to their chief goalkicker. His statistics are well down on recent seasons, and with a couple of the Magpies’ best defenders out and on a big stage, the big man might just be ready to cut loose.
