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.

This will be my last preview for six weeks while I take a mid-season holiday in Europe. I’m leaving on Friday, so will not get to see the game, but I will be listening to it online from a hotel room in London.

Fresh from a 123-point thumping of the Western Bulldogs, the Eagles are full of confidence and run. In the round prior, West Coast also disposed of Fremantle by 33 points in the Western Derby. Credit must be given to John Worsfold who was under the pump at the beginning of the year but has galvanised his team. Worsfold endured a tough time, having to rebuild his side and change its culture. I get the feeling that he has ridden the tough waves and is now coaching freely with a side that has plenty of potential.

Any side that runs out a game with momentum generally carries that into the next round. If that is the case, then Sunday’s game is a mouth-watering prospect. Collingwood kicked 11 goals in the last quarter, whilst the Eagles kicked 10. It shows that both sides are extremely fit and have the ability to score heavily and quickly.

Collingwood needs to start playing four quarters of footy. Perhaps the second half of last week was an indication that the Magpies have now flicked the switch and will revert back to their dominant best. If Collingwood does not come out with greater intensity this week, it may be in for a real wake-up call from a side that is tackling and pressuring with urgency.

Recent History
Collingwood has won the previous four encounters between these two sides. The last clash was in round fourteen last year where the Magpies won by a whopping 83 points. It was perhaps Darren Jolly’s real breakout game for his new club, rucking pretty much solo against Cox and Naitanui and kicking four goals. He polled the three votes. Alan Didak blew the roof off Etihad stadium with three thrilling back-to-back goals to go along with a 28-possession game. His efforts polled him the two votes. Dane Swan polled one vote with a lazy 38 disposals and two goals. For West Coast, Matthew Priddis had 30 disposals and Mark Le Cras kicked three goals.

A Look at Collingwood
It was a tale of two halves last week for Collingwood. There is no doubt that the Magpies are suffering from a few injuries to key players. Malthouse is also experimenting with the interchange bench as well as trying players in different positions. Nevertheless, the tackling pressure has been well down for a few weeks now. Last year, Collingwood was clearly the best tackling side in the competition. This year, it is ranked twelfth for total tackles. West Coast is currently ranked fifth.

Running Hot - Dale Thomas
It is the third week in a row I’ve paid tribute to the form of Dale Thomas. He was the spark last week when the side was losing, and he was also the player who got the Magpies back into the game against Geelong. Last week, Thomas played a complete game, picking up 24 disposals, 8 marks, 7 tackles and 2 goals. His torpedo from outside 50 was a sign that he is full of confidence in his own ability. With Pendlebury and Swan slightly down over the past fortnight, it has been Dale Thomas who has taken charge in the middle. He may get the matchup on Adam Selwood this week.

Back in Form - Luke Ball
In last week’s preview, I made comment that Luke Ball’s output was slightly down against Geelong and that he would be looking to bounce back against Adelaide. He didn’t disappoint either, picking up 25 touches and two goals. Importantly, he also laid 7 tackles. This week, he will go head to head with Priddis around the stoppages and will have a vital role considering Collingwood is short in the ruck stocks and he will have to crumb a lot to Dean Cox.

Welcome Back - John McCarthy & Dayne Beams
Beams and McCarthy have been fighting for selection in the VFL for a few weeks now and got their chance to impress last week. Both figured prominently, picking up 21 and 20 disposals respectively. Both also kicked a goal and laid four tackles. Malthouse will be very keen to continue to play McCarthy in particular as the team needs players who are desperate to impress and will bring a really intense mindset into matches. Fresh faces can liven up the team, and McCarthy has done the hard yards at VFL level to earn his spot. He was a late inclusion last week for Leigh Brown and I hope he maintains his spot.

The Destroyer - Dane Swan
Dane Swan has particularly feasted on the West Coast Eagles in recent years, picking up 38, 36, 36 and 38 disposals in his last four games. However, he has had a quieter fortnight and also picked up a corky last week against Adelaide. He loves playing at the MCG and should again figure prominently this week.

Beginning to settle in - Andrew Krakouer
Krakouer’s last few games have been impressive. His match last week in particular was very good considering he kicked three goals which all came at a time when Collingwood needed them. He really lifted his work-rate and ran out the game well. He will continue to prove a handful for all opponents this year.

The Swingman?? - Chris Tarrant
Malthouse experimented with Tarrant up forward last week. It proved successful as he kicked two goals and also had a hand in a third. I would expect him to go back into defence this week, considering the form of the West Coast forward line

A Look at West Coast
Watching the Eagles last week was like watching the Magpies in the preliminary final against Geelong last year. Tackling has been a feature, as has been the run and spread from turnovers. Despite winning by 123 points last week and dominating possession, the Eagles still out-tackled their opponent, finishing the game with 81 tackles. However, it is still very early in the season and West Coast has a lot of young players in the side. The real test for the Eagles will be sustaining this level of intensity for the rest of the year.

This is particularly the case when the Eagles travel to Melbourne. West Coast has only played in Victoria once this year, at Etihad Stadium for a loss against Essendon. It also lost to Hawthorn at Aurora stadium. The only interstate win this year was at AAMi Stadium against Port Adelaide. I suppose it is going to take a win in Victoria to convince the football public that the Eagles are the real deal in 2011. Nonetheless, West Coast possesses one of the most dangerous forward lines on paper and the forward press Worsfold has employed in 2011 suits the team perfectly.

10 of the Best - Josh Kennedy
When a player kicks 10 goals against a side, which has made three preliminary finals in a row, he gets a write up in my weekly article. However, what has impressed me most about Kennedy is his willingness to tackle and defend, and also sacrifice his game to make contests or lead high up the ground to provide a target. Along with Chris Dawes, Kennedy would be one of the best inside 50 tacklers in the competition and his work rate sets the tone for the team. This week, he will face a tougher test against Chris Tarrant who will likely swing back into defence to take the match-up.

The Ruck Advantage - Dean Cox & Nic Naitanui
Considering Collingwood is without Darren Jolly, the Eagles will consider the ruck to be a huge area of advantage this weekend. The Pies were again smashed in the hitouts last week 63-29. Naitanui is limited in the amount of ruckwork he can do due to a shoulder injury, however his influence around the ground has still been telling. Dean Cox is back to his absolute best form and he is partnering up beautifully again with Daniel Kerr. He had 23 disposals, 33 hitouts and boated two goals last week. Winning out of the centre is the crucial component when trying to set up a forward press, and Dean Cox gives his team first use more often than not.

Return of the Veterans
I’ve already alluded to Dean Cox and Daniel Kerr, but their form alongside Darren Glass and Andrew Embley has been a major reason why the Eagles have been so resurgent in 2011. I think everyone forgot how good these four can be. Embley in particular has been brilliant this year and must be in All Australian contention playing in a variety of roles around the ground. He is averaging 25 disposals a game and nearly two goals as well which is impressive considering he is often used across half back. Darren Glass has also regained his touch and has been marshalling a young defence well. He is still one of the toughest players to move in a one on one contest.  Also, don’t underestimate the value of Quentin Lynch who was seemingly out of favour last year but has re-established himself as a real force in the forward line.

The Shuey fits - Luke Shuey
Sorry for the lame heading, but I am a huge Luke Shuey fan. I have been for a few years now and have been disappointed to see him receive so many injuries at the start of his career. However, he is finally fully fit and is reaping the benefits of been able to play consistent footy. He was magical last week, picking up 27 disposals, 8 tackles and kicking 5 goals. His delivery inside 50 was really good and he gives his side a Thomas-like spark. I was amazed to see on Footy Classified on Monday night that only Garry Lyon rated Shuey as the favourite for the NAB Rising Star Award. I would have thought that he would be the favourite. He is definitely one to watch this week, and may go head to head with Sharrod Wellingham who is also coming off a three goal game.

The Miracle Return - Mark Le Cras
It looked as if his season was over earlier in the year after he suffered what looked like a serious groin injury. However, he returned quickly and is now back to his damaging best. He kicked three goals last week, but what was most notable was the fact that he started the game in the midfield. He picked up 29 disposals along with six tackles. It shows that he is fully fit and ready to take his game to a new level.

The Star Rookie - Jack Darling
Darling has been such a surprise packet in 2011 and has already established himself as a vital component of the West Coast forward line. Despite concerns over his attitude, height and form in the under 18’s, Darling’s strength and work rate make him a real force. He is not afraid to hit experienced players, nor does he shy away from any marking contests. There is no doubt that if last year’s draft was redone now, he would be a top five pick.

The Wrap-Up
I’m going to stick with Collingwood this week purely because it plays the MCG better than anyone. If West Coast wins this game, then I will definitely start tipping them in Victoria, but for now I have to stick with the reigning premiers at home.

The ruck is a huge concern. If the Eagles can continually win the centre clearances and stoppages, their forward press is good enough to really concern the Magpies. Cloke and Dawes may concern the Eagles defence, along with the endless supply of goal-kicking options. I still think Collingwood has a much deeper midfield and a more solid defence. However, momentum and confidence is a marvellous thing and the Eagles bring plenty of it across this week.

Pies by 15

By David Natoli
Aka DaVe86