Preview 1: The Defence
Preview 2: The Midfield
Collingwood Forward Line
My final edition for this week’s Ultimate Preview takes a look at the Collingwood forward line and the Hawthorn defensive unit.
Download the FREE Official CFC MatchDay Program
Hawthorn’s defence is still probably its most vulnerable section of the ground. It is undersized and doesn’t possess a lot of star power. Nonetheless, the defence has significantly improved this year. Josh Gibson has really emerged as an A-Grade full back with great closing speed and an improved ability to compete body to body. Murphy, Suckling, Guerra and Schoenmakers have all been reliable, while Grant Birchall has had a terrific season running off halfback. Ben Stratton has also forced his way back into the side after an injury-interrupted season. Paul Puopolo has also had a fantastic break-through season playing off halfback and also pushing forward to kick goals.
However, the monsters in the Collingwood forward line will concern the Hawks. Cloke, Dawes and Leigh Brown will all have a genuine size advantage over their opponents with the multiple small forward options also causing concern.
Match-Ups
Travis Cloke v Josh Gibson - This will be one of the key match-ups for the Hawks as Cloke is a terrific contested mark and will have a size advantage over Gibson. Gibson’s strength is closing down a lead and also spoiling. Cloke will therefore most likely look to get body to body with Gibson and use his bigger frame.
Chris Dawes v Ryan Schoenmakers - Dawes has not regained his touch since returning to the side from injury. His hands look hard and he is struggling to take contested marks. Nonetheless, his presence is still valuable and he should enjoy his size advantage over whichever defender comes his way. The Hawks are likely to go with Schoenmakers, however he has struggled against the bigger bodied opponents. Gibson is likely to rotate between Dawes and Cloke depending on which forward is playing closer to goal, with Schoenmakers playing on the centre half forward and Gibson playing closer to home. If Collingwood can start getting a better return from Dawes, the Magpies look extremely daunting.
Leigh Brown v Grant Birchall - Again, Leigh Brown is going to be far too big for Hawthorn’s third defender. Birchall stands at a similar height, but doesn’t have the same body size. Nonetheless, Birchall has had a terrific year and will look to run hard off Brown. In my opinion, Birchall was very unlucky not to make the All Australian side this year. From now on, every game could be Leigh Brown’s last considering he has announced his retirement. Therefore, you would expect him to play with reckless abandon and he could be a huge factor for Collingwood for the remainder of the season.
Andrew Krakouer v Paul Puopolo - As mentioned above, Puopolo has been another terrific story for Hawthorn and is fresh from a three-goal game against Sydney. He did suffer a hamstring complaint and will have to pass a fitness test this week. Krakouer is an equally fantastic story for Collingwood and will be feeling good after winning the mark of the year award on Monday. Krakouer was terrific against West Coast and proved to the football world that he is a big game player. He has a real ability to take the game away from Hawthorn on Friday night, and shutting him down will be essential. Guerra could be the alternative for this role.
Jarryd Blair v Brent Guerra - Guerra has had a good year for Hawthorn and is typically damaging with his disposal off halfback. He’ll have a big job this week on Blair who will be responsible for providing a lot of forward pressure while attempting to kick a few crumbing goals. Blair has had a good season and his forward pressure has been really good. I’m still waiting for him to have a real breakout finals game.
Alan Didak v Thomas Murphy -I would expect Murphy to get the role on Didak. Murphy has been reliable for Hawthorn all year. With Didak potentially starting as the sub, Murphy may also find himself minding players like Sidebottom when he pushes forward.
The Wrap Up
Collingwood’s forward line will worry Hawthorn. However, if the Hawks put enough pressure on through the midfield and get numbers back quickly, they still have the matchups to compete well. Hawthorn also tends to use its smaller defence in an attacking manner and the Magpies have to be careful not to go too tall.
Conclusion
I think the midfield battle is quite even, however the Magpies probably have the edge up forward and down back. Therefore, if Collingwood’s midfield fires, it should win the game.
Collingwood by 10
By David Natoli
Aka DaVe86
