Last Time We Met
Collingwood 68 defeated Gold Coast 46
The Pies ran away with a 22 point victory in the last quarter after a closely fought first three quarters last time out against the Suns.
Jordan De Goey led the way in the forward line with 4 goals, he also gave Mihocek an easy one in the goal square. Brayden Maynard was industrious in defence, while Pendlebury was at his classy best.
Mason Cox stretched the Pies lead late in the third quarter, his second goal was an impressive running goal through the forward 50 (he even took a bounce).
Marquee Match-Ups
Touk Miller + Hugh Greenwood v Pies Midfield
The Suns midfield duo are the top two tacklers in the league, and the Pies midfield will need to be ready for the intensity and physicality they bring from the first bounce.
Not only will the Suns pressure make it harder for the Pies to dispose of the ball efficiently, but Collingwood will have to match the Suns in this area if they want to walk off the MCG with 4 points under the belt.
As a team, the Suns are 2nd in the competition for tackles per game while the Pies rank 12th in the competition, averaging just over 10 tackles less per match. Collingwood were absolutely dominated in the tackle count last weekend against Essendon, losing the tackle count 56 - 86. The Bombers also almost doubled the tackle inside 50 count (11-21). Look for the Pies to respond in this area on Saturday.
Darcy Moore v Ben King
Athletic and exciting, it will be a spectacle watching both team’s key forwards go at it on Saturday afternoon on the MCG. In prior weeks this might have been a genuine match up, with King and Moore lining up on each other for a majority of the game last season. However this year the battle will be on to see who can be more efficient in front of the big sticks.
In the two matches King has played against the Pies, he’s kicked a total of 4 goals, with 3 of those coming in the 2019 clash. The up and coming forward has had an electric start to the 2021 season with 18 goals so far, including 5 against the Swans last weekend.
Moore has provided the Pies with a target up forward since swapping ends two matches ago, however the dialogue still revolves around Collingwood’s efficiency when sending the ball forward, an aspect of the Pies’ game that is preventing him from having more of an impact on the game.
Collingwood v Marking teams
Collingwood have struggled in recent matches to get their hands on the footy, with teams looking to use a high quantity marking game to prevent the Pies from being able to control the match. This is something the Pies will need to adapt to if they are going to get the 4 points on Saturday afternoon.
Collingwood rank 16th in the competition for uncontested possessions with 209 per game, while the Gold Coast average the 6th most in the competition with 232. What has been most noticeable has been the emphasis other teams have put on increasing their marking numbers during the game. Opposition teams have averaged 22 more marks against Collingwood than their season average, a stat Bucks and the Pies will look to rectify this weekend.
It’s going to be a challenge, as the Suns are one of the better sides in the competition at maintaining possession of the ball. Currently 6th in the league for disposals, Gold Coast also average the most marks in the competition with 118 per game, while the Pies average only 90 marks per game (14th).
Look Out For
Caleb Poulter’s left foot
If you’ve been tuning into the VFL so far this season, you’ll know exactly what’s expected when it comes to Caleb Poulter. His flowing locks grace the wing, running all day - from contest to contest. What will impress you most is his thumping left foot, which to Pies fans’ delight is quite accurate too.
Poulter has averaged 22.5 disposals in the first two rounds of the VFL, a stand-out performance against the Bombers on the weekend earning him a spot in the senior side for the Suns this Saturday afternoon.
The Inside Word
De Goey and Keane Return
Bucks confirmed on Wednesday’s press conference that both Jordan De Goey and Mark Keane will return to the side.
Keane replaces Will Kelly in the backline, who is unfortunate to lose his place after just one game back in the senior side. De Goey replaces Trey Ruscoe in the forward line after missing last week’s ANZAC Day clash with concussion.
Pies Priority
It’s time to break the shackles of a 4 game losing streak.
The Suns are coming in red hot after an impressive win against the Swans last weekend, but they’re in our territory now.
Collingwood must respond.
Collingwood v Gold Coast
AFL Round 7
Saturday, May 1
MCG, 1.45pm AEST
