Head to head: Collingwood 94 wins, Hawthorn 55 wins
Last time: Collingwood 17.21 (123) d Hawthorn 8.11 (59), round 4, 2010, at the MCG
Collingwood got on top early and never looked back, careering away to a 64-point win. The Hawks were without Buddy Franklin and Josh Gibson, while Sam Mitchell injured a hamstring in the third term and played a minimal role thereafter. But the game had been well and truly iced by then, with the Pies - through the good work of Sidebottom, Thomas, Shaw and Davis - booting 10 goals to two in the first half to set up their match-winning lead.
MISSING IN ACTION
Hawthorn
Max Bailey (knee) - TBC
Grant Birchall (hamstring strain) - TBC
Luke Hodge (knee) - test
Rhan Hooper (general soreness) - test
Clinton Young (knee) - test
LAST WEEK
Hawthorn 24.11 (155) d Fremantle 5.9 (39) at Aurora Stadium, Launceston
Fremantle sent a depleted side to Tasmania and a predictable result unfolded. The Hawks belted Mark Harvey’s B Team, although there was plenty to like about how the Hawks went about it, and the confidence they’ll gain from such a smashing on the eve of an important clash with the Pies - and the finals to come. Recruits Shaun Burgoyne and Josh Gibson played their best games for their new club, while Franklin and Cyril Rioli were dangerous in attack.
Leading goalkicker - Lance Franklin (56)
Leading ballwinner - Luke Hodge (531)
DANGER MAN
Lance Franklin didn’t play when the two teams met in round four, and the Pies would have been grateful. Buddy has a good record against Collingwood, which broke a four-game losing streak when it beat the Hawks earlier this season. Franklin has booted 19 goals in his previous three matches against the Pies.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Collingwood can’t change its ladder position but the round 22 fixture will provide a great finals warm-up, with the Hawks having plenty to play for.
A win for Alastair Clarkson’s side could secure a home final for the Hawks, should results fall their way on the final weekend of the regular season.
WHAT THE OPPOSITION SAYS
“It’s great now [that] we’ve consolidated our spot in the finals to really test ourselves against the benchmark of the competition and just to see where we’re at.
“Every team likes to play in their home state, sleep in their own bed, and they prepare better. I think every team in the comp would have a better winning percentage at home than they would away.”
- Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson on the prospect of a home final
WHAT THE PIES SAY
“Three changes, I reckon they (the selectors) will [make this week] … I know there is a few blokes that are a little bit sore, so I think that the only smart thing to do would be to give them a little break and make sure they get their injuries right and ready for round one of the finals.”
- Darren Jolly predicts the number of changes to his side against Hawthorn
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club
