Head to head: Sydney Swans 79 wins, Collingwood 135 wins, 1 draw
Last time: Collingwood 13.19 (97) d Sydney Swans 8.8 (56), round 21, 2009 at the MCG
It was a really even team performance from Collingwood, who maintained its recent stranglehold over the Swans with a convincing 41-point win. Paul Roos’ side did enjoy a couple of good periods - mainly due to Adam Goodes’ influence up forward - but the scoring shots told the story. The Pies won the inside-50 count 61-33 in a sign of how much they dominated the general run of play.
MISSING IN ACTION
Sydney Swans
Craig Bolton (achilles) - 5 weeks
Daniel Bradshaw (knee) - test
Jake Orreal (back) - season
Mark Seaby (ankle) - 5 weeks
LAST WEEK
Sydney Swans 14.9 (93) d Port Adelaide 8.7 (55) at AAMI Stadium
The Swans set up their win against a Power side lacking confidence with seven goals in the second term. Nick Malceski dominated off half back with 35 possessions, while Goodes’ three goals, on a night when goals weren’t easy to come by, were instrumental in getting the visitors home. Shane Mumford was again a colossal figure in the ruck.
Leading goalkicker - Daniel Bradshaw (25)
Leading ballwinner - Jarrad McVeigh (278)
DANGER MAN
With Collingwood without skipper Nick Maxwell, and Ben Reid still learning his craft deep in defence, Adam Goodes looms as the man that stands in the way of a Magpie win. The dual Brownlow medallist roams where he pleases these days, but against a different-looking Pies’ defence, he will be a dangerous proposition for whoever takes him - most likely Harry O’Brien. Goodes had 24 touches, 11 marks and booted three goals in a convincing loss late last year. If he sees ball, he’ll be trouble.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Collingwood needs a win to stay in front of those chasing a coveted top-four spot at the end of the home and away season. Four premiership points could well catapult the Pies into second, should results fall as expected on Friday night.
The Swans look to be regaining some form after a difficult time on the injury front, and another win would also bolster their prospects of not only a finals spot, but what many would think an unlikely double chance.
HOW’S STAT?
Collingwood’s reputation as a team that loves to travel certainly holds up when reviewing its record at ANZ Stadium. The Pies have won their past four matches at the Swans’ ‘other’ home ground by an average of 21 points.
WHAT THE OPPOSITION SAYS
“They play some of the best football of the year against us and often the week after, whether they get themselves up for us as a team or not, I've seen them play poorly. A couple of their good players just seem to bob up at the right time. Didak, Leon Davis … Daisy Thomas a couple of years ago. Certainly they've got a lot of quality players, and they're always hard to contain for a full game.” - Sydney Swans coach Paul Roos
WHAT THE PIES SAY
“We haven’t really flogged them ... they’ve been pretty close games. We don’t know why we’ve got a good record but in saying that, they’re a pretty different side this year and we don’t get a two-goal head-start because we’ve won the last eight. We’ll certainly take some confidence out of that but we’re not getting carried away with it.” - Collingwood midfielder Dane Swan on his team’s good record over Sydney
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club
