Last Time We Met
Collingwood 58 defeated by Port Adelaide 59
Heart break on the MCG in Round 10 this year. The Pies led for 91 minutes of the match to be beaten at the line by Port Adelaide. A match that still rests very fresh in the minds of the Magpie Army, redemption is on the cards in prime time this Friday night.
Brodie Grundy was outstanding in Round 10, kicking two goals to go with 23 disposals, 33 hit-outs and nine clearances. Caleb Poulter showed his class with a goal to bring the Pies within a point, and 22 disposals along the wing. The backline was fantastic, with Moore, Mayne and Roughead combining for 43 marks between just the three of them.
Marquee Match-Ups
Contested ball beasts: Taylor Adams v Oliver Wines
As soon as the ball is bounced on Friday Taylor Adams and Ollie Wines will be going head to head in a battle worthy of prime time television.
The contested possession counts are off the charts for both these players, with Wines averaging 19 contested possessions over the last 3 matches and Adams averaging 15 in the same period.
Wines has had double digits in contested possessions in every match this season except for in Round 10 when he faced Adams and the Pies. In that battle, Adams finished the day with 16 contested possessions while Wines could only muster 9.
Line breakers: John Noble v Karl Amon
Two of the in form players of the competition, if either player can make a significant impact on the game it will a long way to achieving a victory for their respective sides.
Karl Amon absolutely dominated St. Kilda last weekend, kicking two vital goals to go with 26 disposals and 10 tackles. Amon is averaging 26 disposals and a goal across his last three matches.
Noble is going under appreciated in 2021 as a bit of a barometer for the Pies. In Collingwood’s five wins this season, Noble is averaging 21.8 disposals, compared to just 18.25 disposals in losses. His ability to launch the Pies into attack is crucial in Collingwood’s ability to transition the ball out of defence.
High marking maestros: Oliver Henry v Mitch Georgiades
Fans might just witness mark of the year on Friday night when these two future fliers take to Marvel stadium.
The Magpie Army got a glimpse of what Henry is capable of in the first half of last weekend’s game against the Blues. For those who have seen Henry dominate the VFL this season, they will be aware of his ability to fly higher than anyone else on the field.
Port Adelaide’s Mitch Georgiades is one of the more promising young key forwards in the competition. An impressive four goals against St. Kilda last weekend, Georgiades has kicked seven goals in his last three games and 27 goals on the season (avg. 1.68 per game).
Look Out For
Debutants: Jack Ginnivan and Anton Tohill
Two extremely exciting debutants for this week’s match against the Power as Anton Tohill and Jack Ginnivan get their opportunity at senior level.
Tohill came to the club in the 2018 draft as a Rookie from County Derry in Ireland. Son of former Gaelic football star and former Melbourne Demons player Anthony Tohill, the athletic defender will look to impress in his first opportunity in the AFL.
Jack Ginnivan has been unbelievably good in the VFL since it’s resumption after the last lockdown. In his last 3 games Ginnivan has slotted 11 goals, including back to back bags of 4 goals against Richmond and Sandringham. A small forward with a great work rate and elite football IQ, look for Ginnivan to make an immediate impact in his first match.
The Inside Word
Defensive reshuffle
With Tohill coming into the side, look for a bit of a reshuffle along the backline with the Irishman most likely lining up in a key defensive role. This will allow the likes of Noble, Quaynor and Maynard to move up the ground, with it looking likely that Noble plays more of a role along the wing in tandem with Poulter, Murphy and Crisp.
Port Adelaide v Collingwood
AFL Round 19
Friday, July 23
Marvel Stadium
7.10pm (AEST)
