Head to head: Collingwood 15 wins, West Coast Eagles 20 wins, one draw
Last time: Collingwood 12.16 (88) d West Coast Eagles 9.12 (66), round nine, 2009 at Subiaco Oval
MISSING IN ACTION
Collingwood
Nathan Brown (shoulder) - 2-3 weeks
Jack Carter (ankle) - test
Brad Dick (shoulder) - test
Nick Maxwell (calf) - test
Sean Rusling (calf) - test
West Coast
Sam Butler (foot) - 6 weeks
Darren Glass (abdomen) - season
Ash Hansen (hip) - 5-6 weeks
Shannon Hurn (calf) - 1-2 weeks
Jordan Jones (ankle) - 4 weeks
Daniel Kerr (hamstring) - 5 weeks
Mark Nicoski (shoulder) - season
Adam Selwood (AC joint) - test
Luke Shuey (virus) - indefinite
FORM
Collingwood: LLWDW
West Coast Eagles: LLLLL
SUMMARY
This is a game Collingwood should - and must - win. The mid-season break is over, and the finals are no longer some distant objective, they are in sight. The Magpies are third, with a two-point break over Fremantle and a six-point gap back to the Western Bulldogs. If they win, and either of Geelong or St Kilda falter, the Pies will be in the top two - and if both lose, the Pies would be top. It's only the start of August, but that would give the Magpie army something to get excited about. The injury-plagued West Coast, on the other hand, are 15th, and are probably headed for the bottom, given that Richmond - currently occupying that spot - have won three of their past four and are fourth on the form ladder.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Brad Dick hurt his shoulder - again - in last week's impressive win over the Sydney Swans in the harbour city, but is expected to play. He has only played two games this season, but has kicked five goals to give the Magpies another option with Paul Medhurst still playing the VFL.
Bradd Dalziell played his best game for West Coast last week. Had a good handball-kick ratio (18-11), kicked a goal and put it inside 50 five times. Will need to repeat that effort to give his side a shot.
QUESTION MARKS
Can the Magpies win, and win big? They have an average winning margin of seven goals in 2010.
Can the Eagles turn around a dismal season and knock off their former coach?
Can the West Coast defence cope with Travis Cloke and Chris Dawes?
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
The Magpies are somewhat unpredictable at the moment, but they are a class above West Coast when both sides are playing at their best. The Eagles are not good travellers, and the Magpies are looking to hit top spot.
PREDICTION
Collingwood by 56 points
Chat with host Murray Belkin and other fans in the AFL Match Centre on afl.com.au from 6.40pm Saturday or join the conversation on Twitter: #aflpieseagles
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
