After seven successive wins, the Magpies will come in as favourites against last year’s Premiers.
Hawthorn just managed to get over the line against North Melbourne in Tasmania on the weekend and will be looking to keep its finals hopes alive against Collingwood, a side it has beaten in the last three occasions.
Potential call ups
Marty Clarke: The defender has spent the last three weeks in the VFL and has averaged 22 possessions. Clarke’s run from the halfback could provide the Magpies with a useful weapon to help break through Hawthorn’s renowned rolling zone.
Shannon Cox: In and out of the senior side the season, Cox was one of the VFL’s best on the weekend finishing the match with 24 disposals and eight marks. Having played 11 senior games this year, Cox could be brought in to sure up the backline.
Nathan Brown: Omitted from the senior side last week, the defender impressed coaches with his shut down role on Sandringham forward Nick Sautner. Brown held him to two goals while racking up 19 possessions. If selected the young Magpie will have to face either Hawthorn’s Lance Franklin, who kicked six goals on him in round seven in 2008, or Jarryd Roughead, who kicked four goals in round 18 last year.
Ryan Cook Named as an emergency last week, Cook has averaged 29 possessions in his last three VFL matches. The speedy midfielder played two senior games this year in rounds eight and nine and could be a chance to face Hawthorn on Saturday.
Ben Reid: The tall Magpie has been groomed as a backman this year and looks comfortable in the role, tallying 27 possessions in the VFL on the weekend. Reid has yet to play a backline role in the AFL but could be up against Nathan Brown for the second tall defender to accompany Simon Prestigiacomo.
Questions to consider
Will Collingwood go into Saturday’s match with one designated ruckman? Is Josh Fraser fully fit?
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