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.

Collingwood heads to Perth for to face the West Coast Eagles in the Second Qualifying Final, with the winner assured a place in the Preliminary Finals, and the loser to face either Greater Western Sydney or Sydney in a Semi-Final next week.

Historically, these two sides play thrilling finals matches, including two draws in 1990 and 2007. This match has all the makings of another classic battle. The Eagles will have the home ground advantage, and will benefit from a parochial home crowd, but the Magpies got their first look at the new Optus Stadium in round 23 against Fremantle, making it a good practice run in the lead-up to finals.

At the beginning of the year, if you had said that Collingwood and West Coast would play off in a Qualifying Final, most experts would have dismissed you. This is definitely a battle between two sides that have surprised and impressed many during the 2018 home and away season, which culminated in top four finishes. Each side has had injury trouble along the way, but has been extremely resilient.

Recent History
The Eagles really announced their finals credentials when these sides last met in round 17 at the MCG. West Coast has always had a question mark over its ability to beat big teams on the MCG, so the victory by 35 points was a defining moment in the season. It broke a 23-year drought against Collingwood at the MCG, but the win was marred by the injury to Nic Naitanui.

At the Selection Table
The week off has been a godsend for both sides given there are some key players on the injury list who could now be available to play.

The Eagles will be hoping Josh Kennedy will be available for what would be his first game back since round 18. Lewis Jetta is also likely to be available after overcoming a calf complaint. On the other hand, they will remain without Nic Naitanui and Andrew Gaff.

The Magpies also have some big decisions to make. Jeremy Howe looks to have finally overcome his corked thigh after missing four games, and his return will be essential given the star quality of the West Coast forward line. Adam Treloar has also been back training and is pressing his claim for selection strongly. Whether he plays or not is still to be determined.

Tyson Goldsack is also pressing his claims after two VFL matches, though he has not played an AFL game this year after rupturing his ACL in the JLT Community Series. Ben Reid and Darcy Moore will not available, either. It looms as an intriguing selection week, given so many are on the comeback trail from injury. Collingwood’s defence has been inexperienced, but has been getting the job done.

Where will this game be won?
Collingwood and West Coast have two very different styles of football.

Collingwood is a high possession side, ranking number one in the AFL for disposals per game. In fact, the Pies are the only side that averages over 400 disposals a game.

On the other hand, the Eagles ranked 16th in this area. Instead, the Eagles are very efficient with their ball use, and look to retain possession through short kicking. They kick the ball more than any side in the competition, and therefore rank first for marks per game.

The Eagles have not lost a game this year when they have more than 90 marks, so for mine, the Magpies need to make the game frenetic and scrappy and take away the Eagles kicking game. West Coast is the lowest ranked side in ground ball, so keeping the ball moving and in congestion will be Collingwood’s best mode of victory. It is easier said than done though, as the Eagles defence is so well organized, led by Jeremy McGovern who had a field day against Collingwood when these sides last met. Once they take the intercept mark, they then control the football and keep it out of their opponent’s hands.



Shannon Hurn and Jack Crisp tussle during round 17.

West Coast will also know that it has a distinct advantage in its forward line, with Kennedy and Jack Darling looming as key figures in this game. If the Eagles provide their forwards enough supply, then the undermanned Collingwood defence will really have to fight to contain them. While Kennedy and Darling are dangers in the air, the likes of Willie Rioli, Jamie Cripps and Liam Ryan at ground level are worrying as well, and will take the game away from Collingwood if the supply is there.

For mine, this says Magpies will need to take ascendency in the midfield. It makes the role of Brodie Grundy extra important.

The Tag
Both sides have employed taggers in the second half of this year, and I expect that trend to continue in the finals.

Mark Hutchings did the job against Steele Sidebottom in round 17 and held him to a season low 18 disposals. I expect to see this match-up again.

For Collingwood, Levi Greenwood has been given the big jobs in recent weeks. I expect him to get the all important job on Luke Shuey, who is a noted finals performer. Without Andrew Gaff, the Magpies will be keen to put the clamps on one of the Eagles’ prime movers.

Focus on Collingwood
The hearts of all Collingwood supporters were in their mouths in round 23 when Fremantle looked set to cause a big upset. The loss would have relegated Collingwood outside the top four with no double chance. It was an important and defining victory for the Magpies. It’s the sign of a good team that finds a way to win, even when it’s not at its best.

There is no doubt that Collingwood will have learnt a lot from its loss against West Coast earlier in the year. The Eagles were able to take 10 intercept marks in defence, which is a very high number. Admittingly, Mason Cox did not play in this game, so his presence is going to make a huge difference.

Player Focus
Brodie Grundy – Grundy has had a big fortnight, firstly winning the Herald Sun Player of the Year Award, and then making his first All-Australian side. He could potentially be the most important player come Saturday. Without Nic Naitanui, the Eagles have relied on Scott Lycett in the ruck. If Grundy has another big game, and Collingwood’s midfield gets on top as a result, then the Eagles may struggle to contain the Magpies’ running power.

Brody Mihocek – When the game was up for grabs against Fremantle, it was Mihocek who responded with three crucial goals. In only 12 games in his debut season, Mihocek has kicked 23 goals to become one of the key members of Collingwood’s forward line. He’ll have a mammoth task this week to try and counter the influence of Jeremy McGovern. If McGovern dominates the way his did earlier in the season when these sides last met, it’ll be a huge ask for the Magpies to get on top in other areas.

Focus on West Coast
In round 17, the Eagles welcomed back Jack Darling and Josh Kennedy after injury layoffs. It’s a case of de ja vu considering Josh Kennedy is set to return from an injury layoff just in time to face the Magpies. The Magpies could welcome back Jeremy Howe, but the make up of the backline is still to be determined. Kennedy has had an injury-interrupted year, but he’ll have a fortnight to recover if the Eagles win this game. For mine, it’s clearly worth playing him, especially considering how the Eagles’ forwards dominated the Magpies in round 17.

Player Focus
Elliott Yeo – In my opinion, Yeo was really unlucky not to make the All-Australian team this year. He can play pretty much any spot on the field, but has been really good as a running midfielder who can also square off against big bodied opponents. Yeo is a match-winner, averaging 25 disposals a game. He also has a knack of kicking important goals, and he has a nice long kick as well.

Jack Redden – Redden has somewhat slipped under the radar this year, but has put together his best season as an Eagle. Also averaging 25 disposals a game, Redden is the in-and-under player the Eagles desperately needed upon the retirements of Sam Mitchell and Matt Priddis. Expect him to go head to head against the in-form Taylor Adams this week.



Taylor Adams bursts into the clear.

The Wrap-Up
There is no tougher task in football than to travel to Perth to face the West Coast Eagles in a final. The Eagles will also be buoyed by their round 17 victory against Collingwood at the MCG, and will believe that the home ground factor will provide an even greater advantage.

The Magpies will therefore need to improve substantially on their round 17 efforts. The side will be quite different however, with the presence of Mason Cox making a big difference. The absence of Andrew Gaff is also a big factor considering he had 30 disposals in the last meeting.

While Brodie Grundy could be the key to this game for the Magpies, the other barometer, in my mind, will be Jeremy McGovern for the Eagles. In recent weeks, teams have been using quicker opponents on McGovern to try and keep him accountable. How Collingwood manages McGovern will be vital. It will also be important that they don’t kick long inside 50 blindly, as West Coast will intercept and start counter-attack. In a final with high pressure, this is not as easy as it sounds, so Collingwood’s forwards need to work hard, and the midfield needs to be composed.

By David Natoli
Aka DaVe86