Collingwoodfc.com.au has enlisted David Natoli aka DaVe86 to write this year's match previews.  David writes what are arguably, the most popular Magpie previews published on the internet.  This is his second season writing for the club website.  Please note his views are not of the clubs but of a passionate, knowledgeable member of the Magpie Army.

My round nine preview this week focuses on the Sunday afternoon clash between Collingwood and Adelaide at Etihad Stadium.

Much has been said about Collingwood’s first loss against Geelong on Friday night. Many believe it is ‘the loss it had to have’. Others saw it as a positive that the Magpies came so close to winning despite playing below their best. A few even looked it at as a sign that there are holes in the armour.

Personally, Geelong outplayed Collingwood on the night. Although there was a controversial decision late in the game which may have influenced the result, the Magpies were beaten all over the field and a win under those circumstances was probably not in the team’s best interests. At least Collingwood knows that it can’t afford to play inconsistent footy against the better sides and needs to lift its intensity. It gives Malthouse the chance to highlight a few areas of the game where the Magpies are falling down at the moment and may just re-ignite the hunger a little bit. Victory against the second best side in the competition, playing a brand of football far from its best, may have given Collingwood a false sense of security.

Neil Craig and his coaching panel will be highlighting the areas where Geelong was able to expose Collingwood. You can analyse so many statistics and tactics, however the most telling factor on the night was Geelong’s dominance from the clearances. Simply put, Geelong was able to get first hands on the footy, get it inside 50, and then lock it in. In fact, the Cats beat the Magpies at their own game. Collingwood relies on winning the stoppages and setting up its feared forward press. If it cannot get the ball forward, then it can’t set up the press. It is not an easy task to beat Collingwood around the stoppages with guys like Ball, Swan and Pendlebury in there.

Turning attention to Adelaide now, and 20 minutes into the game last week I thought it would be Neil Craig’s last as the head coach. The Gold Coast jumped out of the blocks and kicked the first four goals, led by Gary Ablett who kicked three of them. However, the Crows responded and ended up winning by 57 points. It was a convincing victory, albeit against a young side. Adelaide really lifted its intensity and won the contested footy. What would have been most pleasing for Neil Craig was the form of some of the younger players in the side. The Crows have a few big injuries, but have unearthed a few really good kids who look to be fantastic long-term prospects.

Last week, Collingwood became the ninth team to suffer a loss following the bye. One of the other curses in the AFL this year has been failing to perform after playing the Gold Coast. I suppose players anticipate their teammates are going to win contested footy and begin running ahead of the play for easy possessions. The Crows will have to be conscious of this as they will be playing one of the better contested sides in the competition.

Despite the victory last week, it has been largely a disappointing season for Adelaide. The Crows have a really good draw and many experts had them locked in the top eight at the beginning of the season. Nonetheless, Adelaide has won two of its last three games and will be looking to take its first big scalp of the season.

Recent History
Collingwood has won the previous three encounters against Adelaide. However, the contests have always been really close. The most recent battle was in round 21 last year in a scrappy and low scoring affair where the Pies eventually held off a gallant Crows side to win by three points. Collingwood was terribly inaccurate, kicking 18 behinds and only six goals. Pendlebury polled the three votes with a 30-possession game, while Scott Thompson polled the two votes with 29 possessions. Dale Thomas picked up one vote with 26 possessions and two goals.

At the Selection Table
Starting with Collingwood, and Malthouse undoubtedly has a few decisions to make this week. He commented that the Magpies have been relying on its top end players far too much and needs a more even performance. Malthouse also would’ve noted the form of McCarthy (40 possessions) and Beams (32) in the VFL last weekend against Geelong.

Alan Toovey will miss at least one week after his sickening collision last week with Tom Hawkins. The news is positive in the sense that Toovey has no broken bones or facial fractures; however he did suffer bruising to his chest. Ben Johnson and Nick Maxwell are the obvious choices to replace him. Darren Jolly is also another week away meaning Wood is likely to hold up the ruck division again. Goldsack was a late replacement for Maxwell last week and his spot in the side may rely on the availability of the skipper.

Turning to the Crows, and the real interest will be whether Taylor Walker is recalled to the side. He kicked seven goals in the SANFL after been dropped. However, the forward line did operate well last week with guys like Gunston really stepping up. I definitely think there is a spot for Taylor Walker and I think he’ll return.

The Crows are a bit short down back with Otten, Talia, Davis and Stevens all on the sidelines. Otten is probably a week or two off returning from his knee trouble and will probably have to earn his spot in the SANFL. Bernie Vince is also still on the sidelines with a hamstring injury as is Porplyzia with another shoulder injury.

A Look at Collingwood
As I mentioned previously, Collingwood was smashed around the stoppages last week, and has been generally inconsistent in this area all year. Tackling pressure was also down, with the Cats out-tackling the Pies 82-60. Generally, this is one area Collingwood always wins, so I think the focus this week will be on winning the contested ball and lifting the tackling intensity. The ruck is a concern without Darren Jolly. Ottens beat Wood last week and gave his midfielders an arm-chair ride. Total hitouts were 44 to 24.

Buckley takes charge
I am not talking about Nathan and his coaching future. I am talking about Simon Buckley. He played his best game for the Magpies last week and really stood up in the absence of a number of key defenders. He has terrific foot-skills and can pinpoint a target over 50 metres. He was directly responsible for a number of goals, which came from booming kicks over the zone. His decision-making has been a question mark, but he didn’t make too many errors in a 26-possession game last week. He perhaps has to tighten up a little bit more defensively, but generally beat his opponent on the night. He could take Dangerfield this week or even Matthew Wright, both who are coming off good games.

In Form - Dale Thomas
Daisy yet again stood up on the big stage on Friday night with 26 possessions, 5 tackles and a goal. Most importantly, he was asked to stand Joel Selwood in the second quarter and actually helped turn the game. I have noticed Malthouse use him in a variety of roles this year, whereas last year he was given much more freedom. In essence, he has become a real utility player, often asked to plug holes in defence, generate run on a wing or off halfback, or go into the midfield to stand a dangerous opposition onballer.

The Trump Card - Travis Cloke
The Crows are thin down back with a few major injuries, so Travis Cloke becomes the potential match winner for Collingwood. His form continues to be good and he is coming off a two goal game last week which was telling in a low-scoring affair in conditions that did not suit talls. Considering conditions will be perfect at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, his contested marking should be on show.

Looking to bounce back - Luke Ball
Luke is having a terrific year but was a bit down last week with only 13 possessions and 6 tackles. (He is averaging 20 disposals and 7 tackles). Nonetheless, with a greater emphasis on contested footy, expect Luke Ball to absolutely dominate this weekend and bounce back in trademark fashion. He is perhaps suffering a bit from the absence of Darren Jolly who he combines with very nicely.

X-Factor - Steele Sidebottom
He was one of Collingwood’s better players in the loss last week with 22 disposals and two goals. He is really becoming a vital component of the Collingwood forward line and will continue to sneak under the radar with guys like Didak, Swan and Pendlebury in the side. His stats this year are very impressive, averaging 21.4 disposals a game, 6 marks, 1.6 goals and 2.6 tackles.

A Look at Adelaide
Adelaide still has a real habit of over-possessing the footy. At times, the Crows handball far too much and play on far too recklessly. On the other hand, when the Crows are on song they can score quickly and now have some real pace through the middle. More importantly, the Adelaide side is much younger than it has been for quite some time. The average age of the playing group last week was under 23 years and 8 months, with an average games tally of 64. This would make them over a year younger on average than the Magpies, and 40 games less experienced.

The Raging Bull - Patrick Dangerfield
Dangerfield is quickly becoming one of the real stars of the competition. He is coming off a six goal game against the Gold Coast, but has generally been a real stand-out for Adelaide all year. He is lightning quick and plays with real intensity, making him almost impossible to stop at times. He is still not a massive possession winner, but has improved this year to be averaging 18 disposals and 1.6 goals a game. I get the impression that he is only going to get stronger and learn to win more of the footy to become one of the elite players in the AFL. As it stands, he is Adelaide’s match-winner already and will need a big game on the weekend if the Crows are to stand a chance.

Rookies on the Rise - Rory Sloane, Matthew Wright & Jack Gunston
Wright has played four games now but had his breakout game last week against the Gold Coast with two goals from 24 possessions.  Gunston has played three games but played his first for the year last week and did not disappoint with a goal from 16 possessions along with five tackles. Both will be tested this week against a more experienced quality outfit in Collingwood. Sloane is the more senior of the three having played 18 games. I have been really impressed by him as he has pace and endeavour. He puts his head over the ball and breaks the lines. He is hard to miss with his long blonde hair as well. He is just the sort of player that can often get under Collingwood’s guard.

The Prized Recruit - Sam Jacobs
Jacobs was third in line for a ruck role at Carlton, but made the move to Adelaide for more opportunities. After a delayed start to the season, he has taken his chance at Adelaide and has cemented the number one ruck role. He is averaging 28 hitouts and is moving around the ground quite well also averaging 12 disposals. Jacobs will have seen Collingwood’s ruck division struggle last week and could be a decisive player for Adelaide this weekend.

The Rock - Ben Rutten
Two years ago, it seemed the big one-dimensional full back was a thing of the past. Now, with the long kick to contests back in vogue, guys like Ben Rutten have become vital once more. With such a young defence around him at the moment, Rutten will take responsibility for all the Collingwood key position forwards when they stay near goal. The Magpies may look to drag him up the field, however Rutten will try to stay in defensive 50. This means he’ll have responsibility for Cloke, Dawes and Leigh Brown at different stages of the game.

Graham Johncock
Johncock’s role in the side is crucial. He shuts down small forwards and sets up a lot of play across halfback. Last week, he gave young Matera a real lesson, whilst also racking up 31 disposals. This week, he is likely to get Krakouer as an opponent, but may also switch onto Sidebottom. Collingwood has to be wary of his effectiveness as an attacking defender.

The Wrap-Up
I would expect Collingwood to come out breathing fire this week after experiencing its first loss in round eight. Adelaide is a young side with plenty of potential, but I doubt it has the strength to match Collingwood in the contested footy all match. Nonetheless, Collingwood needs to be mindful of the star players in Scott Thompson, Van Berlo and Dangerfield.

I’d like to see the Magpies come out with the ‘hunters’ mentality again and really look to put a lot more forward pressure on its opponent. Last week’s loss will not be such a bad thing if the Pies are able to bounce back quickly from it.

Pies by 32

By David Natoli
Aka DaVe86