Where and when: MCG, Friday, May 21, 7.40pm
Head to head: Collingwood 124 wins, Geelong 91 wins, one draw
Last time: Geelong 17.18 (120) d Collingwood 6.11 (47), preliminary final, 2009 at the MCG
Collingwood led 2.2 to 0.0 and the Magpie Army was on its feet and expecting big things before Geelong found its rhythm. The margin was 11 points at the main break but in the second half, Geelong went bang. Without Scott Pendlebury and with Dane Swan nursing an injury, Collingwood couldn't sustain its run as Geelong took control - marching to a 73-point win and what would ultimately be its second flag in three years.
MISSING IN ACTION
Geelong
Mitch Brown (leg) - 1 week
Joel Corey (knee) - 2-4 weeks
Marcus Drum (eye) - 1-2 weeks
James Kelly (calf) - test
Steven Motlop (shoulder) - 8 weeks
Brad Ottens (foot) - 4-6 weeks
James Podsiadly (groin) - test
Max Rooke (knee) - test
LAST WEEK
Geelong 24.11 (155) d Brisbane Lions 10.14 (74) at the Gabba
The Cats led by 26 points at the first break and never looked back; the superiority of Joel Selwood and Paul Chapman around the stoppages ensuring the visitors gained the early ascendancy. Geelong brought its own footy to the Gabba, accruing 487 possessions to the Lions' 339. Steve Johnson was superb in attack with six goals while Tom Hawkins (four) played arguably his best game of league football, contributing both in the ruck and on the scoreboard.
Leading goalkicker - Steve Johnson (25)
Leading ballwinner - Gary Ablett (247)
DANGER MAN
Paul Chapman cut the Pies to shreds last season. In his two outings against Collingwood, the hard nut had 26 disposals and five goals in one match, and 35 touches and four goals in the other.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
The unwanted 'premiership favourite' tag. Neither Mick Malthouse nor Mark Thompson would particularly crave that. The real carrot is victory, which will further shore up one team's finals aspirations and move it closer to a top-four finish. While they do meet again later in the year, perhaps a mental edge will come with the honours in this one.
HOW'S STAT?
Getting a fast start will be crucial. The Pies and the Cats - along with Carlton - lead the AFL in first quarters won, winning six of their eight first terms. In total, the Cats have won 22 quarters this season, with the Pies equal second on 21.
WHAT THE OPPOSITION SAYS
"Collingwood have been the benchmark so far. I wouldn't quite say we are underdogs but we play a team at the top of their game and we are coming for them instead of them coming for us. We are the hunters this time." - Geelong forward Shannon Byrnes
WHAT THE PIES SAY
"As a backman I'd like it if we tightened up a bit. I suppose the way our games have gone, we've been pretty offensive and we've scored pretty highly. But if it's two goals to one goal at the end of the game and Collingwood win, then I'll be very happy with that." - Collingwood defender and 100-gamer Heath Shaw on the number of goals his team has been conceding
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
