Last Time We Met
Collingwood 72 defeated Carlton 48
Round 14 last year saw the Pies out-run a brave Carlton side. Down by 2 points going into the last quarter, the Pies were able to kick four goals without response from the Blues to run away with a 24 point win.
Jack Crisp led the way with 25 disposals and 12 marks, supported by Brodie Grundy with 34 hit-outs and a team-high 8 tackles from Jamie Elliott.
Key Match-Ups
Steele Sidebottom vs Sam Walsh
It’s the experience and poise of Steele Sidebottom against the energy and class of the young Sam Walsh. A welcome addition back into the Pies midfield, Sidebottom will be important in getting some of that balance back into the Pies engine room.
Conversely, Walsh is in red hot form already this season. Coming off the back of 31 touches against the Tigers last week, the former number 1 draft pick is already challenging Patrick Cripps for spot as top dog in Carlton’s midfield.
Darcy Moore vs Harry McKay
Darcy Moore is an elite defender in the AFL and will look to maintain that status as he comes up against developing forward Harry McKay. A stand-out performance last week against the Bulldogs, Darcy’s ability to turn defence swiftly into attack is something the Blues will need to be conscious of.
Likewise, it was an ‘almost’ performance by Harry McKay last Thursday night against the Tigers. Kicking 2 goals and 3 behinds, including another chance that didn’t register a score, the Pies backline will need to make sure the Blues don’t let McKay get too many chances in front of the big sticks.
Mason Cox vs Jacob Weitering
Despite the lack of cohesion Pies fans have seen so far between the midfield and forward line, Mason Cox has been the outlier in terms of performance. Undefendable on his day, Cox shone in the AAMI Community Series match against Richmond and finished with 2 goals and 15 disposals against the Bulldogs.
Jacob Weitering is a fantastic 1-on-1 defender and will have to be at his best to stop Cox from marking the ball. Weitering averages 5.4 intercept possessions per game over his career, including 1.9 intercept marks. The Pies forward line will need to make sure he is kept accountable as a means of ensuring he isn’t able to come off his man to impact other contests.
Look Out For
Jordan De Goey in his 100th
It’s been a fantastic first 100 games for Jordan De Goey in the black and white. After a quiet 16 disposals last week against the Bulldogs, Pies fans should be on the look out for De Goey to make quite the appearance on Thursday evening.
Big stage, important game, sounds like the perfect recipe for a De Goey masterclass.
The Inside Word
Back in Brodie Grundy.
Grundy wasn’t able to use his midfield-like skills and run to find the ball or hit the scoreboard on Friday night, but look for that to change against the Blues.
Despite the utmost confidence in Grundy, it seems more support in the ruck will be emphasised in Thursday night’s game plan.
“We believe Brodie can do some damage for us in front of the ball…we’ll be looking to explore that through the early part of this year”, Bucks said during his press conference on Monday.
Pies Priority
After a disappointing round one performance, the Pies midfield has to stand up this week.
The Pies lost the clearance battle against the Bulldogs despite being +27 in hit-outs. Players with speed and run such as Josh Daicos, Josh Thomas and Taylor Adams need to get back to their running best.
For the full team list click here
Carlton v Collingwood
AFL Round Two
Thursday 25 March
MCG, 7.20pm AEDT
