Collingwood will look to add silverware to its trophy cabinet on Friday night when it takes on arguably the best side in the competition, the Geelong Cats.
On recent form against Geelong
Recent history suggests the grand final will be a close encounter with the sides splitting the last 10 matches in the regular season and finals, five wins each. Collingwood supporters will take comfort in last year’s 86-point thrashing of the then reigning premiers.
The round nine win highlighted the importance on applying pressure to Geelong’s star-studded midfield as Collingwood racked up 85 tackles on the night, 36 more than its opponent.
On recent Collingwood form
The Magpies have had a terrific run through the NAB Cup and have averaged a winning margin of 50 points in their three matches. The club has enjoyed a healthy pre-season with the luxury of selecting its squad from 44 players from its playing list of 47 for the grand final. Anthony Rocca, Sean Rusling and Kevin Dyas are the only players not up for selection.
Collingwood has averaged 110 points a game, more than any other side in the pre-season competition and 17 more than its opponent on Friday night.
First touch to the footy will be a big factor in the outcome of Friday night’s match and if Collingwood is to win, Dane Swan will need to be involved.
The 2008 Copeland Trophy winner was phenomenal in the centre square last week. He was involved in 17 centre square bounces and was able to take clean possession 30% of the time. The next highest percentage was Joel Corey from Geelong who managed to take clean possession 13% of the time he was involved in a centre square bounce.
Player to watch
Shannon Cox has continually improved during the pre-season competition. In Friday night’s win against Essendon, the defender collected 20 possessions, tallied five rebound-50s, and used the ball with a 95% effectiveness rate.
On recent Geelong form
Geelong’s only real threat in its quest to win the pre-season premiership was in last week’s 17-point win against Carlton, a side that played without many of its key players. Most pundits were surprised the Cats needed a four quarter effort to knock off the Blues.
The Cats have managed their midfield through the pre-season competition after resting Jimmy Bartel, Joel Corey, Cameron Ling and Gary Ablett all for one match.
Bartel has been in red hot form during the competition collecting 30 disposals in each of his two games.
Geelong tasted pre-season success in 1961 and more recently in 2006.
Player to watch
Mathew Stokes has averaged 22 possessions in his three NAB Cup matches and has kicked seven goals. The 24-year-old played in 22 matches last year for his club and will be a potent target up forward on Friday night.
Broadcast schedule
Television (Network Seven)
Melbourne - 20:30 (1 hr delay)
Adelaide - 20:30 (1 1/2hr delay)
Perth - 20:30 (3hr delay)
Sydney - 24:00 (4 1/2hr delay); SEVEN HD 20:30 (1hr delay)
Brisbane - 24:00 (5 1/2hr delay); SEVEN HD 20:30 (2hr delay)
Fox Sports Plus on Main Event (Ch 518)
Sydney - 19:30 (LIVE)
Brisbane - 18:30 (LIVE)
RADIO
Melbourne
Triple M 1900-2230
3AW 1930-2230
SEN 1900-2230
K-Rock 1800-2200
ABC774 1900-2230
Perth
ABC720 1730-2030
6PR 1730-2000
(relay from 3AW)
Adelaide
Triple M Adel 1830-2200
ABC891 1900-2200
Hobart
ABC 105.7 1900-2230
• All LIVE radio streams available on afl.com.au
