Head to head: Collingwood 15 wins, West Coast 20 wins, 1 draw
Last time: Collingwood 12.16 (88) d West Coast 9.12 (66), round 9, 2009 at Subiaco Oval
The Eagles started well and led at quarter-time before the Pies, led superbly by skipper Nick Maxwell in defence, clicked into gear. With Josh Fraser and Cameron Wood - who played perhaps his best game for Collingwood - edging Dean Cox, Scott Pendlebury and Dane Swan won plenty of footy, while Leon Davis was also prolific. Davis was most influential early in the final term, when he booted two of his three goals to ensure the injury-hit Magpies returned to Victoria with the four points.
MISSING IN ACTION
West Coast
Sam Butler (foot) - 6 weeks
Darren Glass (abdomen) - season
Ash Hansen (hip) - 5-6 weeks
Shannon Hurn (calf) - 1-2 weeks
Jordan Jones (ankle) - 4 weeks
Daniel Kerr (hamstring) - 5 weeks
Mark Nicoski (shoulder) - season
Adam Selwood (AC joint) - test
Luke Shuey (virus) - indefinite
LAST WEEK
West Coast 9.5 (59) lost to the Western Bulldogs 17.17 (119) at Subiaco Oval
West Coast hung tough for three quarters before the Bulldogs’ running power blew them away in the final term. The Dogs led at every change and kicked seven of the last eight goals as the Eagles, despite the best efforts of Bradd Dalziell (29 possessions and five inside 50s) and polished draftee Brad Sheppard, were run off their legs. Debutants Koby Stevens and Andrew Strijk showed glimpses of their talent for the home side.
Leading goalkicker - Josh Kennedy (35)
Leading ballwinner - Matthew Priddis (338)
DANGER MAN
In what has been a disappointing season for West Coast, small forward Mark LeCras has still managed 31 goals from 12 matches. On Saturday night, he will play just his second career match against the Pies. He booted 2.3 in his only other meeting against Collingwood - the famous extra-time final at Subiaco in 2007.
WHO’S DUE TO FIRE?
Eagles ruckman Nic Naitanui has had a subdued six weeks after racing to NAB Rising Star favouritism early in the season.
Collingwood’s Leon Davis is working hard enough, but it just hasn’t been happening for him lately.
HOW’S STAT?
Collingwood also played a home match against the Eagles at Etihad Stadium in round 16, 2006 - the year West Coast won the premiership. The Pies trailed at quarter time but assumed control in the second term and were never headed. A seven-goal final quarter ensured a 37-point win. This week’s team will feature more than eight of the Collingwood side from that afternoon.
WHAT THE OPPOSITION SAYS
“Taking on Collingwood’s midfield is a huge task, but they (the young midfielders) have stood up pretty well against some good midfields in the comp this year and won some of those contests, broken even in some. This is another challenge for them” - West Coast Eagles coach John Worsfold on what confronts his men.
WHAT THE PIES SAY
“We get built up for the big games and then we tend to lose the games we should win, which is something we're trying to remedy this year. If you look at our list it is a very strong list, so it's got nothing to do with the talent in the side - it's got to do with our mental capacity” - Collingwood midfielder Sharrod Wellingham
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
