First up we tackle the Bulldogs, a side yet to really hit their straps in season 2007 following a lead up which saw the critics label them Victoria’s best hope. It is obvious as to what Rodney Eade’s game plan will be: run, run and run some more in an attempt to outpace us.
Speaking of which, there will be plenty of Magpies who will be hellbent on reversing the result of last September, and rewrite some personal scores.
The match also marks our return to Telstra Dome for the first time since round 16 last season. The Dome suits the Bulldogs game plan which involves swift ball movement, but it has also played home to some of our happier memories in the new millennium.
The Match Ups:
Collingwood’s best hope will be to stretch the Western Bulldogs for defensive height and strength. On the surface, they have a handy if not big-name backline, made up of the talls in Brian Harris, Ryan Hargrave and Cameron Wight, and the smalls, Lindsay Gilbee, Jordan McMahon and Dale Morris.
This is the facet in which we can burn the Bulldogs. Assuming Anthony Rocca takes hold of Harris, Travis Cloke continues his good form opposed to the rangy Hargrave and the resting ruckman, either Josh Fraser or Chris Bryan, outplay Wight, the Pies will be on their way to win number six. Not forgetting the magic of Alan Didak.
The Bulldogs, as mentioned prior, will attempt to outrun us as they did last season. However, since last September, we have added the likes of Alan Toovey, Brad Dick and Shannon Cox into the mix, whilst the Shaw brothers and Dane Swan have gone from strength to strength. Our tackling in this department will be the key, for if we are able to lock the ball in and create a slower, tighter contest, those such as Scott Burns and Tarkyn Lockyer, in game 150, will be able to give ball magnets Scott West and Daniel Cross some grief.
The form guide:
The Magpies are ticking over nicely, notching up their third win in succession over arch rival Carlton last Saturday, thanks largely to a strong second half. In what was a true team performance, Lockyer, Scott Pendlebury and Didak proved the keys to the victory, while Fraser, Swan and Cloke all played their part.
A day later at the Dome, the Bulldogs and Demons went down to the wire, with the former holding on by a kick. Cross was again superb at the stoppages, and Adam Cooney’s dash through the centre electrifying.
Head to Head since 2000:
Collingwood: 8
Western Bulldogs: 5
The Woods have had the wood over the men from the west since the turn of the century, winning seven of their eight meetings between 2001 and 2004. Buckley was the main man in all triumphs, with able support from the old guard of Burns and Licuria. Chad Rintoul, Glenn Freeborn, Rupert Betheras and Jarrod Molloy are a number of unsung Magpies to have their day in the sun against the Bulldogs since 2001, all four on deck in a rousing ten goal win in round three of that season.
The X-Factors:
Collingwood: Anthony Rocca – we all recall Rocca’s five goal heroics in round nine last season, his ample frame too much for the Bulldogs defenders to tie down.
Western Bulldogs: Jason Akermanis – Aker may have been slow to get out of the blocks at his new club, however a stinging article from Robert Walls may see the penny drop in the former Lion. He needs no introduction to Collingwood fans, who neither forgive nor forget.
Broadcast guide:
TV: Channel 7, 3:00pm
Radio: 3AW, 3MMM.
The tip: Put simply, to my mind, the Bulldogs are ripe for the kill. They were put through a challenging ordeal last week against Melbourne and were fortunate to come away with the four points. Collingwood, meanwhile, keep on building momentum, and are a well oiled machine. The critics are still yet to proclaim us as the real deal. Sunday will see to that. Collingwood by three points.
Please note: the views expressed in the above article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Collingwood Football Club or employees of the club. The Collingwood Football Club would like to acknowledge the tireless work of its supporters who contribute to collingwoodfc.com.au.
