In 2018, David Natoli, aka DaVe86, returns to Collingwood Media to file his famous, in-depth tactical match previews.

Since publishing his first report on Nick's Bulletin Board in early 2005, DaVe86 has become a weekly favourite among the passionate online Magpie Army receiving thousands of views for each article.

The articles are lengthy and have been published in their entirety as the club did not want to hinder DaVe86's creativity during the writing process.

The views expressed in DaVe86's previews are solely of the author and do not reflect the views of the Collingwood Football Club.

The 24th edition of the Collingwood vs Essendon ANZAC Day clash promises to be one of the best yet, with both sides enjoying stirring victories in round four and sitting at two wins and two losses.

Collingwood has the edge over Essendon when it comes to the ANZAC Day battles, having won 13 to Essendon’s nine, as well as one draw. But the Bombers have won three of the past four matches between these two sides, including last year’s ANZAC Day clash.

Both sides will be fresh given the extended break between their round four and round five games, but they will only have a four-day break to recover before their round six matches, so player management will be a key during this period.

As always, a crowd of approximately 90,000 is expected at the MCG this Wednesday for what remains the biggest home and away fixture of the year.

At the Selection Table
Neither side will be expected to make many changes this week following victories in round four.

Collingwood will be buoyed by the form of Daniel Wells and Alex Fasolo in the VFL on the weekend, but neither will play on ANZAC Day. Taylor Adams, Darcy Moore, Jamie Elliott and Levi Greenwood will also cool their heels this week.

The Bombers are at relatively full strength at the moment, although Orazio Fantasia, who kicked four goals in last year’s ANZAC Day clash, will miss due to injury.

Focus on Collingwood
The Magpies were brilliant in the wet against Adelaide last round. Despite horrid conditions, the Pies moved the ball as if it was perfect weather. One of the most pleasing elements was the slick handballing under pressure to vacate congested situations. The Magpies are ranked first in the competition for handballing, and first in the competition for total disposals.

The past fortnight has been really positive. In particular, it is good to see so many players hitting the scoreboard. In 2017, not one Collingwood player was able to kick five goals in a game. But in the space of just five games, Josh Thomas and Jayden Stephenson have achieved this feat. Stephenson was terrific last week and make his ANZAC Day debut this Wednesday.

The other promising sign is the fact that Collingwood looks to have settled on its most dangerous structure, using a nimbler forward line. The midfielders are lowering their eyes more to spot up targets inside 50. Mason Cox is providing a solid target up forward, and despite not having kicked a goal yet in 2018, is playing a clever role and ensuring he is making a contest.



John Worsfold and Nathan Buckley shake hands ahead of the 2017 ANZAC Day blockbuster.

Player Focus – Brodie Grundy
If he wasn’t already recognized as the best ruckman in the competition before round four, Brodie established it as a fact following his best on ground performance against Adelaide. Coming up against one of the competition’s best ruckmen in Sam Jacobs, Grundy put together a career best game with 40 hitouts, 33 disposals and a goal. It was a decisive victory against a quality opponent. He’ll face another challenge against Tom Bellchambers this week.

Focus on Essendon
The Bombers are a difficult team to read. At their best, they possess quality talls at either end that are very difficult to match-up on. They also have the ability to move the ball at pace and take the game on. While most teams have gone with smaller sides, the Bombers have bucked the trend with Joe Daniher, James Stewart, Cale Hooker, Michael Hurley and Michael Hartley all playing key roles. Coupled with the dangerous small forwards in Fantasia, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and Josh Green and there is definitely enough scoring power up forward.

Essendon reverted back to a more traditional structure against Port Adelaide last week. Hooker went back into defence, while Jake Stringer moved forward and booted four goals. Playing one less tall up forward did seem to help add forward pressure, too.

The area in which the Magpies may be able to capitalise is around the contested ball. There is plenty of talent in that Essendon midfield, but I feel it may lack that extra big bodied contested player to compliment it. Collingwood is ranked second in the competition for clearances, compared to Essendon who are ranked 16th. It means the Bombers will need to compete strongly in this area if they want to contain the Magpies this week.

Player Focus – Joe Daniher
After a breakout year in 2017, Daniher has had a mixed start to 2018. He found touch late against the Power last week, snagging kick two crucial last quarter goals. The Bombers will be hoping it is the start of something big for their star forward. He won the ANZAC Day Medal last year, and will enter this game with plenty of confidence.



The Magpies of 2017 stand for the Last Post.

The Wrap Up
The build up to ANZAC Day is always a highlight of the home and away season. For the first time in a while, both sides will enter this game in good form and have plenty to play for in relation to the context of the season. As a result, I’m expecting a fierce battle.

The Bombers are an unpredictable side, and their big challenge will be whether they can match Collingwood’s deep midfield and curb Grundy’s influence in the ruck. If the Bombers can do so, then they possess the weapons to kick a winning score and really challenge the Collingwood defence.

It will be interesting to see how both sides respond after a longer break between games. In some respects, the extended rest will have halted some of the momentum which had built at the end of round four. On the other hand, we should see a cracking battle between two strong sides who have big aspirations.

By David Natoli
Aka DaVe86