Round 20 sees Collingwood face Port Adelaide this Saturday night at AAMI Stadium. It is a clash between the best and worst sides in the competition with Collingwood coming off ten straight wins, and Port Adelaide backing up from seven straight losses. Port Adelaide has managed two wins all season, whilst the Magpies have only lost the one game. The contrast between the two sides is staggering.
Port Adelaide’s year probably hit a low point last week, losing in the showdown clash against Adelaide. It led to coach Matthew Primus labelling his side ‘not up to AFL standard.’ It has definitely been a tough initiation to coaching for Primus, who is still in his first year at the helm. However, the blame does not fall squarely on his shoulders, as he leads a football department devoid of funds, specialist coaches and manpower. Morale is low throughout the football club, and the performances on field have reflected this.
On the other hand, things couldn’t be going along better for Collingwood. The Pies are fresh from a 74-point thumping of arch rivals Essendon and still have a number of first choice players to welcome back to the side. The Magpies were very flat at the beginning of the game last week, and Essendon suffered a number of injuries which hindered its cause. Nevertheless, Collingwood was able to turn around a 30-point deficit into a massive win in the space of a half. When the Magpies decide to flick the switch, there is simply no one better side in the competition.
It’s a scary proposition for Port Adelaide who must simply be counting down the rounds until the end of the season. Not even a home ground advantage will assist as the Magpies are a terrific travelling side and always play well at AAMI stadium.
Last Meeting
The Pies hosted Port Adelaide way back in round one this year at Etihad Stadium and ran out convincing 75-point winners. Nevertheless, the Power were gallant and kicked six goals in the third quarter to close the margin. From that point on, Collingwood again ‘flicked the switch’ and powered away to a massive victory. It was an impressive result for the Magpies who had a shorter pre-season than most other sides and were fresh from the NAB Cup premiership.
At the Selection Table and Injury News
Leading into the match last week against Essendon, the talk was all about how undermanned the Bombers were. It is staggering to think that Collingwood was also without seven first-choice premiership players (including Nathan Brown who is out for the season).
This round, Collingwood is likely to recall Thomas, Wellingham and Didak. Didak looks set to return from a calf injury which has sidelined him since round fourteen and Malthouse will be keen to get match fitness into him in the lead up to finals.
Chris Dawes and Alan Toovey should return within the next two weeks, whilst Heath Shaw is available for selection again in the first week of finals.
Finding room is the issue. Alex Fasolo, Ben Sinclair, Lachlan Keeffe, Brent Macaffer, Tyson Goldsack, Dayne Beams and Simon Buckley seem most vulnerable at this stage but are doing their bit to hold their spot. In particular, Fasolo, Buckley and Beams were terrific against Essendon, whilst Goldsack held his own. John McCarthy is also impressing in the VFL and will come into consideration.
Port Adelaide is already looking ahead to 2012 and will be selecting its side accordingly. The Power also suffered a number of injuries in the loss to Adelaide. Jay Schulz, Jackson Trengove, Tom Logan and Troy Chaplin amazingly all suffered plantar fascia injuries and will face fitness tests this week. Ben Jacobs was also rested with a quad injury and could be recalled. In the SANFL, Daniel Stewart, Jacob Surjan, Jason Davenport, Daniel Motlop and rookie-listed players Tom Jonas and Daniel Bass are all trying to break back into the side.
Player Focus:
Collingwood
Dane Swan - Swan bounced back into his best form last week with 45 disposals at a respectable 67% efficiency. In particular, his second half was dominant. He also had seven goal assists and kicked a goal. Swan has been winning plenty of the football since his return from Arizona, but his impact on games has been minimal. His match last week was a welcome return to form and he looks set to build for a big finals series.
Alex Fasolo - I made comment of Fasolo two weeks ago, but his game against Essendon deserves another mention. He kicked five terrific goals when the game was on the line and he is making it impossible for selectors to drop him at the moment. In fact, he may even hold Didak out of the side as his defensive pressure is probably better. At first I thought he could be a handy substitute player, but he has proven he has the tank to run out four quarters of football. Every time he gets the ball, you can hear my friend and I yell out “Alex Fasolooooo (sung like Jason Deruloooooo - trust me its catchy)”...so keep an ear out for us next time you’re at the MCG.
Andrew Krakouer - He was another to really impress last week. Along with Fasolo, he was Collingwood’s most dangerous forward kicking four quality goals. His work rate was really good and his X-Factor is really adding a dimension to the forward line. He strikes me as the sort of player that can have an impact in finals as well. He had 18 disposals and three tackles to go along with his four goals last round.
Port Adelaide
Hamish Hartlett - He has probably been Port Adelaide’s only shining light this year. He finally has himself fully fit and is stringing together a very solid season, justifying his top-five selection in the 2008 National Draft. He is playing a lot off a halfback flank, but as he develops he should turn into a front-line midfielder. The Power are very thin through the middle, so he is incredibly important to the future of the club. I expect him to have a good game against the best opposition on Saturday.
Domenic Cassisi - The skipper of the club needs to stand up on Saturday. He’ll tag either Swan, Pendlebury or Thomas. However, at his best, he is also a very good ball winner who can hurt sides offensively. It has been a frustrating year for Cassisi who has battled injury, but it is important that he has a good finale to the year. He leads a young team, so he and his fellow senior players need to take more ownership.
Matthew Lobbe - Without Brogan, Lobbe has been asked to do the bulk of the ruckwork. He has a massive task on the in-form Darren Jolly this week and he looks set to be handed a football lesson. Jolly was essential to Collingwood’s charge last week and his ability to push forward to hurt his opponent is first-rate. However, with five rounds to go, Lobbe needs to show something for his club as he has been waiting for a while to get his chance to play consistent senior footy.
The Wrap Up
You’d think that it would be the Pies by plenty this week. Even if Port Adelaide is able to match it with the Magpies early, it is very unlikely it will sustain the effort for four quarters.
Collingwood hit some good form last week, and should carry the momentum through.
Collingwood by 70 points
By David Natoli
Aka DaVe86
