Last Time We Met
Collingwood 81 defeated St. Kilda 37
The Pies put on an impressive performance last time out against the Saints. Taking a 38-point lead into half time that had the game all but won. It was the regular leaders that shone for the Pies, with Steele Sidebottom putting on a show. He had 31 disposals and a goal, and was supported brilliantly by his good mates Scott Pendlebury, Brayden Maynard and Jack Crisp.
There was a spread of goal kickers, with Taylor Adams booting two majors alongside Brody Mihocek and Jamie Elliott.
Marquee Match-Ups
Darcy Cameron & Brodie Grundy v Rowan Marshall & Paddy Ryder
The ruck contest is going to be a crucial part of this week’s clash against the Saints. Rowan Marshall and Paddy Ryder have had interrupted 2021 seasons however line up against the Pies this weekend after an awesome performance last week. The duo provide the Saints two very different ruck styles, with Ryder still one of the elite tap ruckman of the competition and Marshall very strong in the air and once the ball has come to ground.
While Brodie Grundy got on top of both Marshall and Ryder last season, it will be interesting to see how the Pies match up on the duo this season with Cameron spending more time in the ruck than he did last year.
Pies small defenders v St. Kilda’s speedy forward line
The Saints have a brigade of speedy small forwards to cause the Pies issues this week. The likes of Dan Butler, Jack Higgins, Jack Billings and even Max King possess elite levels of speed. It will be a great challenge for the likes of John Noble, Brayden Maynard and Isaac Quaynor to ensure the Saints’ smalls don’t get on top.
Both King and Higgins have 18 goals so far this season, while Butler and Billings sit on 12.
Midfield bulls: Taylor Adams v Jack Steele
The sherrin is going to be under the pump on Sunday afternoon when it has Jack Steele and Taylor Adams hunting for it.
Jack Steele is sixth in the competition for contested possessions so far in season 2021 with an average of 13.79 a game. Taylor Adams isn’t far behind, averaging 13 contested possessions a game. Notably, if you subtract the game against the Giants when Adams injured his PCL his average goes up to 14.6 contested possessions a game.
The midfield is an area of strength for both sides, with the Adams v Steele battle just one of multiple marquee match-ups.
Look Out For
Josh Daicos in his 50th
The Pies will look to get a win for Josh Daicos this week in his 50th game for the Pies. Daicos has had a strong season so far in 2021, in particular a stretch of four games between Rounds six to nine when he averaged 26 disposals.
A man for the highlight reel, let’s hope Daics can snag a few goals for the Magpie Army on Sunday afternoon.
The Inside Word
De Goey to set the tone
A suspension last week put a brief halt on Jordan De Goey’s electric recent form. The dynamic forward-midfielder has been in red hot touch in the last few weeks, particularly since Jamie Elliott returned to the side.
De Goey is averaging 24 disposals and a goal in the last 3 matches he’s played.
Pies Priority
When the Saints put in the effort, we’ve seen their ability to take it to the best teams in the competition, exhibit A being last weekend when they dismantled the reigning premiers.
The Saints are 3rd in the competition for both one percenters and tackles, an insight into their ability to hunt the football when they’re not in possession.
If the Pies are going to win this weekend they need to be able to control the football and be clean under the Saints’ pressure.
Collingwood v St. Kilda
AFL Round 16
Sunday, July 4
MCG, 3.20pm AEST
