Head to head: Collingwood 102 wins, Western Bulldogs 42 wins, one draw
Last time: Collingwood 19.15 (129) d Western Bulldogs 16.7 (103), round 11, 2010 at Etihad Stadium
MISSING IN ACTION
Collingwood
Leigh Brown (suspension) - available
Brad Dick (shoulder) - season
Alan Didak (bruised shoulder) - test
Tom Hunter (neck) - season
Simon Prestigiacomo (corked thigh) - test
Western Bulldogs
Adam Cooney (hamstring) - season
Ayce Cordy (shoulder) - season
Ryan Griffen (knee) - test
Brad Johnson (achilles) - test
Dale Morris (back) - season
Sam Reid (shoulder) - season
Jordan Roughead (shoulder) - 1-2 weeks
Shane Thorne (knee) - 3 weeks
Easton Wood (hamstring) - test
FORM
Collingwood: WWWWL
Western Bulldogs: WWLLW
SUMMARY
The Magpies’ run to September met a speed bump on Saturday when they suffered their first loss since round 10 to the fired-up Hawks. The margin was a mere three points at the siren after Dayne Beams missed an opportunity to steal the win.
It wasn’t the first time in recent history the Pies had struggled, with the Crows putting the brakes on them in round 21 to fall three points short of an upset. They’ve had a few injury concerns lately with Alan Didak and Simon Prestigiacomo missing, while Leigh Brown was suspended last week.
The Bulldogs returned to the winners’ list on Saturday night when they held off the Bombers to enter the finals on a high after two disappointing weeks. However, it was a win that came at a cost with Ryan Griffen and Jordan Roughead suffering injuries.
Roughead won’t play this week but Griffen is a chance, which is massively positive news after it was revealed Adam Cooney and Dale Morris were ruled out for the season last week.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Collingwood forward Leon Davis might go missing in big games but he sure loves playing the Bulldogs. In rounds one and 11 this year he kicked three goals against the Dogs, which followed on from the five he kicked across their two 2009 clashes. Will Jarrod Harbrow again get the job on the dangerous player, who could be the Pies’ x-factor this September?
Rodney Eade rates Shaun Higgins as likely to play but how fit will the forward be given his past few weeks? His game in the VFL last weekend was solid and the calf he hurt in round 20 was ok, but how much will the case of thyroiditis affect him when the pace goes up a notch?
QUESTION MARKS
Across the season, the Magpies have kicked more points than goals 10 times - twice in the final two rounds. Can they find their kicking boots when it matters most?
Will the Bulldogs look to lock down Harry O’Brien’s run off half back in a similar fashion to the way the Crows and Hawks did in the final two home-and-away rounds?
The forecast is for clouds, rain, wind and 20 degrees for Saturday. The Bulldogs did well in the wet against Adelaide in round 19 - will the conditions suit them more?
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
The Magpies have suffered a reality check over the past two weeks with their inaccurate kicking and the pressure of Adelaide and Hawthorn restricting their ball movement and scoring. However, with a few players set to come in and the intensity to skyrocket, the Dogs might struggle to keep up given their depleted side and the Magpies’ ability to run and quickly move the ball.
The Pies must kick straight to win, but all-important Bulldog Dale Morris’ absence is a huge plus for them.
Chat with host Jennifer Witham and other fans in the AFL Match Centre on afl.com.au from 6.50pm Saturday or join the conversation on Twitter: #aflpiesdogs.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
