Where and when: Marvel Stadium, Friday May 3, 7.50pm AEST
Last time they met: MCG, round 22, 2018: Collingwood 17.13 (115) defeated Port Adelaide 10.4 (64)
The Magpies cemented their first finals berth in four years while the Power slipped outside the eight and ultimately missed the finals. After leading by just four points midway through the third term, the Pies piled on 8.5 to 1.0 to break a four-game losing streak against Port.
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What it means for Collingwood: In the first of just three appearances at Marvel Stadium this season, the Pies will fancy their chances of posting their fourth successive win in a period in which they could build serious momentum.
What it means for Port Adelaide: On a fast track under the roof, Ken Hinkley's boys have a golden opportunity to strengthen their credentials against one of the flag favourites.
How Collingwood wins: Jamie Elliott's return will allow the Pies to assemble their full complement of forwards for the first time and possibly enable superstar Jordan De Goey to spend more time in the midfield, where his explosiveness could be critical.
How Port Adelaide wins: The Power have unleashed some exciting speedsters – among them the supremely talented Connor Rozee and fellow NAB AFL Rising Star nominee Xavier Duursma – who have the ability to unsettle the Magpies' team defence.
The stat: The Power have never beaten Collingwood at Marvel Stadium, losing their previous four games at the venue to the Pies by an average of 43 points. The teams haven't met there since 2012.
The match-up: Brodie Grundy v Scott Lycett and Paddy Ryder
It all starts at the source, and Power pair Lycett (ranked No.94 in the Official AFL Player Ratings) and Ryder (No.22) will look to nullify the AFL's premier ruckman Grundy (No.4), just as Lycett and Nathan Vardy did in West Coast's Grand Final triumph seven months
It’s a big week for: Tom Rockliff
The prolific onballer amassed 43 touches in Brisbane's win over the Pies at the MCG in round 21, 2014, but in his two games against them since then, both at the MCG, he has managed just 18 (after being injured in the third quarter in his first game as Lions' captain in round one, 2015) and 17 in Port's round 22 loss last year.
Big call: Port comes agonisingly close to toppling both 2018 Grand Finalists
Prediction: Magpies by 10 points
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
