Collingwood will be looking to bounce back from its loss earlier this week when it takes on Carlton at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.

If the Magpies are to win they will need to shutdown the potent attack of Fevola and company.  This week’s Magpie Blog focuses on potential problems the Magpies defence could face.

Magpie Blog

As was evident on Monday night, the small forwards were damaging against the Magpies with the Saint’s Adam Schneider kicking five goals and Stephen Milne adding four. 

St Kilda kicked 55% of its goals on the run (highest for the round) and 45% of goals with set shots. 

Carlton kicks 56% of its goals this season on the run (the highest in the competition).

If Collingwood is to win on Sunday night the Magpies will have to shut down Carlton’s ability to kick goals on the run.

Carlton forward stocks

Brendan Fevola
One of the colourful characters of the competition who always gives Collingwood a headache, Fevola has continued on from his 99 goal effort last year.  The forward is third on the Coleman ladder with 24 goals.  He is averaging 6.6 marks a game with 2.1 in a contested situation (both career-highs).  Fevola was in rare form last year against the Magpies kicking eight goals in round 12 and seven in round four (Nathan Brown was his main opponent in both matches).

Eddie Betts
The 22-year-old is in career-best form and has averaged 15 disposals and four marks a game and has booted 19 goals this season.  The lively forward showed his ability to impact the scoreboard in round one when he kicked five goals against Richmond.  Betts was strongly held by Martin Clarke last season keeping the forward to one goal from two matches.

Factors to consider

Loose man in defence
Last Monday night Collingwood’s skipper Nick Maxwell played the loose man in defence and racked up 22 possessions.  He was strong in the air marking the ball on the line on numerous occasions.

Heath Shaw was eased back into the side with limited game time on Monday and could be a key factor down back for the Magpies.

Simon Prestigiacomo
The veteran defender was absent from both contests last year due to injury.  He has lined up on Fevola in his last two matches against the Blues in 2007.  In round 18 Prestigiacomo played on Fevola for the entire match and conceded four goals.  In round seven the defender fared slightly better allowing two goals. 

Have your say on this week's blog!

What do you think the best match-ups will be for the Magpies in their defense on the weekend?

Do they need to play a loose man in defence?

Should the Magpies tighten up their defense on small forwards?

Who plays on Fevola and Betts?