Collingwoodfc.com.au has enlisted David Natoli aka DaVe86 to write this year's match previews.  David writes what are arguably, the most popular Magpie previews published on the internet.  This is his second season writing for the club website.  Please note his views are not of the clubs but of a passionate, knowledgeable member of the Magpie Army.

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This is David's third and final installment on the Ultimate Preview for the Qualifying Final against West Coast.

Ultimate Preview: Part 1 (Midfield)
Ultimate Preview: Part 2 (Forward)

Part 3: The West Coast Forward Line
West Coast’s biggest strength is its forward line. The balance in it is fantastic, with quality talls, smalls and mid-sized players. The intensity shown by all forwards is reminiscent of the Magpies in 2010 and the Eagles have implemented a very successful forward press all season.

It has two quality talls in Kennedy and Lynch, two star mid-sized players in Le Cras and Darling, and a number of utility players who can push forward and kick goals like Embley and Shuey. The only real weakness is the lack of a genuine small crumbing forward, although Nicoski has also been a real surprise packet in this role all year and he also has a capacity to play on dangerous defenders.

Despite the strength of the Collingwood defence (I would rate it the best in the competition), it seems slightly vulnerable this week.

Key Performance Indicators
Collingwood:
Run out of Defence: Collingwood looked out of ideas last week against Geelong when trying to move the ball out of defence. However, with Shaw and Davis returning, the backline has pace and class again. Collingwood is at its best when it is streaming out of defence.

West Coast
The forward press: Collingwood’s intensity will be switched right on and the Eagles will be challenged to match it. West Coast play a similar game-plan to Collingwood in the sense that it will look to put a lot of pressure on the ball carrier coming out of defence and try to force turnovers. West Coast’s pressure needs to be switched on, and it needs to lock the ball inside 50.

Player Focus:
Joshua Kennedy: Kennedy is the star of the Eagles forward line. He has kicked 52 goals this year and provides such a strong target when he leads up the ground. The most important part of Kennedy’s game is the way he competes. He tackles, chases and brings the ball to ground in marking contests. The weather may not suit him on Saturday, but he will still find a way to have an impact. He’ll face tough opponents, with Tarrant and Maxwell trying to cut off his space.
Potential Opponent: Nick Maxwell

Mark LeCras: If Kennedy is the star, then LeCras is the cream. In my opinion, he is the best mid-sized forward in the competition as he plays taller than his size and is so accurate in front of goals. He has kicked 43 goals this season which is a terrific return when coupled alongside Kennedy’s 52. Importantly, LeCras has also shown a real ability to play midfield and run his opponent off his legs. This added dimension to his game makes him a more complete player.
Potential Opponent: Harry O’Brien

Mark Nicoski: As I mentioned above, Nicoski has had a terrific year, and his return of 38 goals has been an incredible bonus to his side. He has a habit of kicking freaky goals and he knows where the big sticks are.
Potential Opponent: Alan Toovey

Quinten Lynch: The Big Q looked to be on the outer at the end of 2010. However, he has really turned his career around and is now a vital component of the West Coast forward line. He is the second tall option and acts as a buffer for Kennedy...much in a similar role to Chris Dawes. He has only kicked 24 goals this year, but has added real structure to the side. He and Chris Tarrant will have a great contest on the weekend as both are of a similar height and are big bodied.
Potential Opponent: Chris Tarrant

Jack Darling: It has been a terrific debut year for Darling. He was the early favourite for the Rising Star earlier in the year, but has slowed down a little bit as the year has progressed. He’ll have an important role this week as his likely opponent is Nick Maxwell who will look to zone off him. Therefore, if the West Coast midfield is able to lower its eyes, Darling could find himself quite loose.
Potential Opponent: Nick Maxwell

Conclusion
There is no doubt that the Eagles possess the firepower up forward. Even players like Embley and Shuey are noted goal-kickers and can kick a lot of goals from the midfield.

Nevertheless, the Eagles need to be equally cautious of the Collingwood backline which has a lot of pace. Collingwood sets up a lot of forward thrusts from its defence and will welcome back Shaw and Davis this week. Toovey and Johnson are also very attacking players and can play shut down roles.

The Wrap Up
So at the end of my three-part preview, my ultimate feeling is that Collingwood is still ahead of West Coast and should win on Saturday afternoon. The home ground advantage, coupled with finals experience should be the decisive factor. I think the Magpies will be far more switched on this week and will look to atone for the disappointment of last week. Good sides bounce back from such results.

Nevertheless, the Eagles are not to be underestimated. As has become obvious to me throughout this preview, West Coast has big weapons all over the ground and has a very balanced side.

Collingwood will look to play the game on its own terms, and should have the greater fitness over four quarters. However, don’t be surprised the Eagles force a real contest.

Collingwood by 30 points

By David Natoli
Aka DaVe86


Ultimate Preview: Part 1 (Midfield)
Ultimate Preview: Part 2 (Forward)