In 2017, 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.

With the bye rounds now over, the back half of the year shapes as one of the closest finishes to a season that I can remember. The gap between fourth and 15th spot is only two games, meaning finals positions are well and truly up for grabs.

The game between Collingwood and Port Adelaide, to be played on Saturday afternoon at the MCG, is yet another crucial one for these two sides.

Port Adelaide has snuck into fourth position following its comfortable 40-point win against Brisbane last week. On the other hand, the Magpies currently sit in 13th position, but remain only one game out of the top eight.

In such an even season, every game is crucial.

Collingwood will be fresh off its bye, and should welcome back a few big names from injury. The bye gave Collingwood a good chance to recover from the heartbreaking loss to Melbourne on the Queen’s Birthday. Had the Magpies have won that match, they would probably be sitting inside the top eight right now. It just goes to show how important every game is. Despite the strength of its opponent this week, Collingwood simply cannot afford to lose this game.

Port Adelaide, on the other hand, has returned to playing the sort of footy that saw it go deep into the finals in 2014. Now sitting in the top four, the Power must sense an opportunity to achieve something quite special this year.

But these are the sorts of game Port Adelaide must win if it is to cement a top four position and really announce itself as a premiership contender. Despite its high position on the ladder, Port Adelaide’s form has been up and down over the last month, with two wins and two losses (including a 70-point thrashing at the hands of Essendon). Its 40-point win against bottom-of-the-ladder Brisbane last week was also far from convincing.

Recent History
Port Adelaide has won three of the previous four matches between these two sides. The last clash was in round 11 last season where it was Port Adelaide who annihilated the Magpies to the tune of 67 points. Port Adelaide’s forward line that did the bulk of the damage, with the Brownlow votes going to Jarman Impey, Aaron Young and Justin Westhoff respectively.

At the Selection Table
The good news for Collingwood fans is the fact that Ben Reid and Tyson Goldsack are both likely to return to the senior side. Unfortunately, Travis Varcoe remains a week away, while Jamie Elliott is still a few weeks away from returning.

Port Adelaide are unlikely to make too many changes, however will need to make at least one forced change with Jared Polec injuring his hamstring last week. The Power may consider recalling Jasper Pittard after his solid performance in the SANFL last week, while Brendon Ah Chee and Jimmy Toumpas are other options to be recalled.

Focus on Collingwood
The Magpies had a really solid month in the lead-up to the bye, with three wins and only one narrow loss to Melbourne. The midfield has really started to fire now, while the forward line has looked a lot better since Nathan Buckley elected to go smaller with his setup.

It has been an up-and-down season for Collingwood, but it seems that the side has finally now settled and is starting to play the brand of football that it desires. The Magpies are tough around the clearances, but then also very damaging on the outside (ranked second in the competition for uncontested possession).

When Collingwood gets its running game going, it can be devastating, which was evident in the second quarter against Melbourne on Queen’s Birthday. Coupled with solid tackling pressure in recent weeks, the Magpies are going to trouble a lot of sides in the latter half of this season.

Player Focus – Collingwood
Jeremy Howe – It was the Jeremy Howe show against Melbourne on Queen’s Birthday. He took what many consider to be the Mark of the Year, and followed it up with a few other cracking grabs as well. While the big marks are noteworthy, the real story is Howe’s consistent form and the fact he is probably a lock for an All-Australian position as it stands right now. He averages 21 possessions a game, as well as 8.5 marks. If allowed to roam free across half back, Howe is one of the most damaging intercept marking players, and also can really hurt a side offensively. For mine, he has become something of a barometer of this Collingwood side.

Focus on Port Adelaide
Port Adelaide is the second highest scoring team in the AFL this year, and has an x-factor in every position. There has been a lot of improvement across the board, with Charlie Dixon really standing up in the forward line and Sam Powell-Pepper adding real grunt in the midfield alongside Ollie Wines and Travis Boak.

With the likes of Robbie Gray and Chad Wingard up forward, it’s easy to see why the Power can be such an offensive juggernaut. The most impressive part of Port Adelaide’s game however has been its ability to lock the ball inside 50 and press up on its opponent.

But Port Adelaide’s form on the road has been patchy this year, winning three and losing three. The three wins have come against sides who have been 12th or lower on the ladder. It means the Power are yet to take a really big scalp on the road. While Collingwood currently sits in 13th place, it has been in good form of late, so it will be a big statement from the Power to win this game in front of a parochial Collingwood crowd.

Player Focus – Port Adelaide
Paddy Ryder – Ryder’s return to the side this year has probably been the biggest reason for Port Adelaide’s resurgence. Ryder isn’t necessarily the biggest accumulator of the football, but his ruck work is sublime and he is now a real force to be reckoned with in the ruck. He is giving his midfielders first use, which is essential when he has the likes of Boak, Wines and Powell-Pepper at his feet. The only knock on Ryder this year has been the fact he hasn’t necessarily been hitting the scoreboard (he has only six goals this year), and isn’t winning a lot of the football. He comes up against another in-form ruckman this week in Brodie Grundy, who almost plays as another midfielder. Ryder will need to get the ascendency in the ruck, but also control Grundy’s influence around the ground.

The Wrap Up
Despite the ladder positions, this shapes as a really intriguing tussle between two sides that really need the win.

Once again, the midfield battle will be decisive. Collingwood gains much of its drive from its a-grade onballers, but it will be challenged by Port Adelaide’s very talented midfield this week. If Ryder can get in top in the ruck, and Port Adelaide can get on top around the clearances, then the Power are terrific at locking the ball inside their forward 50 and scoring from stoppages.

Collingwood should be fresh from its bye, but some sides have been a little flat after the week off, so the Magpies will need to be switched on from the opening bounce. The Power are a side that thrive on momentum, and can score very heavily if their opponent is napping.

By David Natoli
Aka DaVe86