Last Time We Met
Collingwood 50 defeated Sydney 41
The game that will always be remembered for Josh Daicos’ goal of the year, check-side banana from the boundary; the Pies were strong enough to fend off a battling Sydney side last time we met.
25 disposals and THAT goal, Daicos had a break-out game that helped get Collingwood over the line. 8 points down at half-time after the Swans kicked 4 goals unanswered in the second term, the Pies inaccuracy in front of goal was letting them down.
Taylor Adams was huge with 29 disposals and a goal while Brayden Sier impressed in the middle with 9 clearances and 23 disposals.
Marque Match-Ups
Beau Mccreery v Jake Lloyd
The Swans love to exit defensive 50 through the ever-reliant Jake Lloyd, so maintaining forward pressure such that the Swans are unable to move out of defence swiftly will be key in ensuring the Pies will be in the contest on Saturday afternoon.
A big role player when it comes to defensive pressure is the tackling machine Beau Mccreery. Since coming into the team in round 3 against the Lions, Mccreery has buoyed Pies fans with his gut running and non-stop effort.
Mccreery is averaging 5 tackles a game.
Josh Daicos v Callum Mills
Two absolute gun midfielders of the future, 24-year-old Callum Mills will meet 22-year-old Josh Daicos in the middle of the SCG on Saturday afternoon.
Mills has had an impressive 2021 season, spending more time in the midfield than in past years. He’s averaged 26 disposals per game, 7 more disposals per game than any of his prior seasons. Mills had a career high 34 disposals in round 6 agains the Gold Coast Suns.
Josh Daicos will look to continue his good form coming off the back of a great 2020 season. The dynamic midfielder is averaging 25.6 disposals over the past 3 weeks, building his stoppage game and finding the ball more in the contest. He has averaged a career high 6.5 contested possessions this season, and 8.3 contested possessions over the last 3 matches.
Look for these two to go head to head throughout the match on Saturday.
Brayden Maynard v Tom Papley
The dangerous Tom Papley always poses problems for opposition teams, and it won’t be any different when he lines up on Brayden Maynard this weekend.
Papley has kicked at least one goal in every outing this year, a total of 13 goals has him leading the Swans’ goal kicking so far this season. He also loves a home game at the SCG, kicking more goals there than any other location in the country.
Brayden Maynard often gets the big defensive duty when it comes to the oppositions small forward. The tough defender had the best performance of his season last week against the Kangaroos, amassing 32 disposals and 10 marks.
This will be an entertaining battle and one that will impact greatly on the outcome of the match.
Look Out For
Tom Wilson’s Debut
Former Sydney Kings and Australian Boomers basketballer, Wilson signed with the club as a Category B rookie in 2019 and will make his debut for the club this weekend against Sydney.
The running defender is particularly versatile, but has impressed this season in the VFL with his defensive capabilities. His best performance of the season coming against the Gold Coast Suns, with 30 disposals and a goal off half back.
Wilson has a great leap at the footy and is proficient with both feet. Look out for his athleticism flying for marks, and an inspiring rebound from defence.
The Inside Word
Pendlebury to remain forward
Captain Scott Pendlebury showed off his class in front of goal in a forward role last weekend against the Kangaroos, expect him to take on a similar role this week against the Swans as the Pies look to utilise his talents forward of the contest.
Pendlebury kicked 2 goals last week, including a snazzy snap out of a pack that had the North Melbourne defenders bamboozled.
Pies Priority
The Pies carry momentum into this week’s match after a solid win over the Kangaroos. With 2 wins on the board, it’s important the Pies take confidence in that winning feeling into the Swans game.
The Swans have been impressive all year, defeating sides like Richmond and taking it to the top teams like Melbourne last week.
If Collingwood are going to push their way back up the ladder, the wins have to start coming and there’s no better challenge than the Swans on their home deck.
Collingwood v Sydney
AFL Round 9
Saturday, May 15
SCG, 1.45pm AEST
