The Pies will take on the Cats this weekend, unfortunately the Magpie Army wont be able to support from the stands however all the information you need to support from home is here for you.

 

Last Time We Met

Geelong 100 defeated Collingwood 32

Let’s not dwell for too long on the Semi-Final result of 2020. The Pies weren’t able to back up an outstanding trip to Western Australia and fell well short of the eventual Grand Final team in the Cats.

A more positive memory is the Round 7 clash against the Cats at Optus Stadium last season. The Pies defeated the Cats by 22 points. Jordan De Goey kicked 5 in an awesome performance, Brodie Grundy had 17 disposals and 46 hit-outs.

 

Marquee Match-Ups

Pies Key Defenders v Geelong Key Forwards

It’s an intimidating prospect for any opposition defence when they face up against Geelong’s key forward duo of Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins.

Jeremy Cameron has slotted 16 goals in his 5 games for the Cats so far this season, including a bag of 6 against the reigning premiers in Round 8. His ability to work up the ground makes him particularly hard to defend. His counterpart Tom Hawkins, has kicked 22 goals this season, providing a consistent scoring option down forward for the Cats.

Key defender Jordan Roughead was outstanding last week against Port Adelaide’s Charlie Dixon. He will have the task on one of Geelong’s key forwards, with Darcy Moore likely to take the other dangerous forward.

 

Brodie Grundy v Mark Blicavs

Since Rhys Stanley was dropped from the Geelong side, the versatile Mark Blicavs has taken the reigns alongside Esava Ratugolea in the ruck.

Blicavs had 34 hit-outs last weekend against the Gold Coast Suns, with 18 disposals, 6 tackles and 6 clearances. His ability to cover the ground and impact in more ways than just in the air makes him a great match up for Brodie Grundy.

Grundy has been nothing short of fantastic this season. He is averaging a career high average in goals per game, kicks per game and contested possessions per game. One of the premier ruckman in the

 

Darcy Moore v Tom Stewart

Two of the best rebounding defenders in the competition, the result of Saturday afternoon’s match will be impacted significantly by which one of these players can control the match from their back half.

Here’s how they stack up on the stats sheet:

Statistic Moore Stewart
Marks 8.5 7.9
Intercept Marks 3.5 2.4
Spoils 4 2.9
Defensive Half Pressure Acts 4.8 5.8
Intercept Possessions 7.9 7.1
Disposals 16.4 24.9
Rebound 50's 35 5.8
Meters Gained 258.2 488.5

 

Look Out For

A rising star nomination

Caleb Poulter has now played 4 games in the black and white and has impressed the whole competition with his ability along the wing. Poulter had the best game of his short career so far on the weekend against Port Adelaide, amassing 22 disposals and kicking a clutch set shot in the 4th quarter to get the Pies back within a point. He ranks 1st among rising stars for average meters gained per game, and 2nd for average kicks per game.

Look out for Poults to continue his good form against the Cats this weekend.

 

The Inside Word

Trent Bianco to debut

Collingwood selected Trent Bianco with pick 45 in the 2019 national draft, and this week Bianco will make his long awaited AFL debut for the Pies.

The industrious midfielder has worked unbelievably hard over the preseason, his efforts rewarded this weekend. Trent made his official debut for premiership points in the VFL this season against Coburg. His first game was one to remember, kicking a goal to go with 29 disposals.

Look out for Trent to smash it on Saturday afternoon!

Pies Priority

So close to victory against the Power last weekend. Effort will eventually be rewarded with success, so as long as the Pies keep piling on the pressure that 3rd win of the year will be on the horizon.

The Cats have been grinding out wins recently, however have been tested by sides that are around Collingwood on the ladder.

Coming in as underdogs this weekend, the Pies have to take that competitive mentality into the game against Geelong.

 

For the full team lists click here

 

Collingwood v Geelong

AFL Round 11

Saturday, May 29

MCG, 1.45pm AEST