Get pumped up for Friday night's clash with the Western Bulldogs by watching Collingwood's nail biting win over the Dogs in round five, 2000.

In 2012, collingwoodfc.com.au has again enlisted the help of David Natoli, aka DaVe86, who has shot to internet fame for his in-depth Magpie tactical previews. 

Since publishing his first report on Nick's Bulletin Board in early 2005, DaVe86 has become a weekly favourite among the passionate online Magpie Army receiving thousands of views for each article.

The articles are lengthy and have been published in their entirety as the club did not want to hinder DaVe86's creativity during the writing process.

The views expressed in DaVe86's previews are solely of the author and do not reflect the views of the Collingwood Football Club.

After the world was seemingly caving in following the 60-point loss to Carlton in round three, Collingwood has got its season back on track with back-to-back victories. The win last week against Essendon on ANZAC Day was a classic and puts the Magpies in a good position to really attack season 2012 with renewed confidence.

The Magpies face Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Friday night to open round six. The Western Bulldogs also had a tough start to the season losing its opening three matches, but has also won back-to-back games. Nonetheless, victories have come against lowly ranked Melbourne and Greater Western Sydney, and neither victory was entirely convincing.

Despite back-to-back victories, the Magpies are also far from peak form. Although Collingwood potentially had the top six players on the ground on ANZAC Day, the victory was by the smallest of margins and the Magpies were unable to capitalise on periods of dominance. It will be interesting to see how Collingwood pulls up from two games within a four-day period, followed by an extended break. The side may start the game a little flat after such a big build up and the finish to last round’s match.

The Doggies, on the other hand, need to come out firing. On the big stage of Friday night football, the Bulldogs have an opportunity to win back a bit of respect after a slow start to the year.

Recent History
The Western Bulldogs have not beaten Collingwood since round 22, 2009. The Magpies have won the last four times these sides have met. However, the two sides have not played since round six last year. Exactly one year ago, it was Collingwood that ran out comfortable 48 point victors, with Steele Sidebottom polling the three votes for 28 disposals and three goals. Dane Swan polled two votes, whilst Robert Murphy scraped in for a vote for the Bulldogs.

At the Selection Table
Both sides will regain key players for Friday night’s game. Collingwood could name as many as four premiership players with Ben Reid, Heath Shaw, Dale Thomas and Alan Didak all pushing hard for selection.

Didak, in particular, has played three solid games at VFL level now and looks not far off his peak match fitness.

If Reid and Shaw are available, it will leave Nathan Buckley with a huge dilemma as players like Lachlan Keeffe and Simon Buckley have not put a foot wrong at senior level in recent weeks. The Bulldogs lack a really big presence up forward, and it may be a risk to carry Nathan Brown, Ben Reid and Lachlan Keeffe in the one backline. Keeffe may be an option as a backup ruckman to Darren Jolly if need be. Paul Seedsman and Kirk Ugle look the players most vulnerable at the selection table with big names set to return.

Turning the focus onto the Bulldogs and Daniel Giansiracusa looks set to return after he missed the game against Greater Western Sydney with general soreness. Other players who missed the game included Ryan Hargrave and Lukas Markovic who will be required against the big bodies in the Magpies forward line.

After an almighty start to his AFL career, Clay Smith has spent the last two rounds on the sidelines and may be set for a recall. Mature aged recruit Tory Dickson also impressed at VFL level with three goals.

Team Analysis and Player Focus
Collingwood
The Magpies look closer and closer to gelling every week. What was most impressive for me last round was the forward line pressure the side was inflicting. Ben Sinclair, Tyson Goldsack and Alex Fasolo really led the way in this area. All are quick, enjoy tackling and have a hunger for the contest. The issue is that each contributed two behinds to the scoreboard meaning their combined contribution was six behinds. If these players can start chipping in for a few goals each a game, it really completes the side as Collingwood looks its most dangerous when the goal kicking is shared around. With Alan Didak banging on the door, these players need to start making the most of their opportunities. The other good news for Collingwood is that Dane Swan and Scott Pendlebury are back in form. Pendlebury was able to shake a tag, while Swan is enjoying freedom from taggers now that Pendlebury attracts the best opponent. The assistance from Dayne Beams and Steele Sidebottom has been fantastic in the absence of Luke Ball.

Marty Clarke - Marty was one of the good news stories to come out of ANZAC Day following a terrific run-with job on Brent Stanton. Expect him to be a chance to get the job on Ryan Griffen who is in really good nick. Marty has good foot speed and endurance and he sticks to his task, and he could well become a key tagger for Collingwood.

Nathan Brown - The other good news story to come out of ANZAC Day was the long awaited return of premiership defender Nathan Brown. His return was seamless and he immediately added stability to an undermanned defence. With Ben Reid due to return and Chris Tarrant not too far off, competition for key posts down back has never been stronger. He is likely to take the match-up on Liam Jones who is a solid contested mark, while Lachlan Keeffe could play on Ayce Cordy or Will Minson.

Ben Johnson - Those who have followed my work know that I am a big Ben Johnson fan. It is no coincidence that the form of the side has improved drastically in the past two rounds since Johnson returned. He provides run out of defence whilst shutting down an opponent. He is the first player written off every year, but he never fails to contribute.

Special Mention: Jarryd Blair - Blair has stood up this year and is ever so close to really breaking out as an A grade player. He still needs to find more of the ball, but his contested work has really improved and he is terrific at winning his own ball. He is there when it counts as well, kicking the match-winner in the dying minutes of the ANZAC Day clash.

Western Bulldogs
The Bulldogs have struggled this year to re-build a forward line in the absence of Barry Hall. Liam Jones has emerged as a really good contested mark, but is still failing to have a really big scoreboard impact. Others such as Cordy and Roughead are still a while off taking games by the scruff of the neck, although Cordy has shown terrific signs this year and has filled out over the pre-season. At their best, the Bulldogs are a very clean side with quick ball movement. They also possess a midfield full of great contested ball-winners who don’t mind the contest. However, the foot skills this year have not been fantastic and there is a lack of a big presence across half forward. The other issue for the Bulldogs has been the unavailability of key defenders. Brian Lake and Ryan Hargrave have been huge inclusions to the side after injury-riddled seasons last year but both have missed games this season. The Bulldogs are also missing the injured Dale Morris. Nonetheless, the side on paper is still quite strong and can still be a tough opponent if it can gel together again.

Adam Cooney - The former Brownlow medallist is slowly working his way into the season. His last two weeks in particular have been quite good. The truth is that Cooney may never return to his absolute best following chronic knee injuries. He can still be an influential player in different roles. He will spend more time up forward where he is a dangerous goal kicking option, and he can still run spurts in the midfield. He had 27 possessions and two goals last week highlighting the fact that he is still well and truly a key player for the Bulldogs.

Mitch Wallis - The best news for the Bulldogs to come out of the last two weeks has been the form of this high profile youngster. He has already scored a NAB Rising Star nomination for his game against Melbourne in round four, and he backed it up last week with 25 disposals and six tackles against GWS. He will get plenty of game time as the Bulldogs need to keep developed young midfielders, and he looks to really be enjoying a consistent run in the seniors. He will be tested this week against the quality Magpie midfield.

Ryan Griffen - Griffen is well and truly the number one player through the midfield and he has established himself in the past as a big game player. He will get plenty of attention from the Collingwood midfield unit and needs to step up for his side if the Bulldogs are any chance to match the Pies on Friday night. So far in 2012 he is averaging 25 disposals and a goal. He may get the attention of a player such as Marty Clarke or Sharrod Wellingham.

Special Mention: Matthew Boyd - The skipper continues to sneak under the radar of all opposition teams. Although he may not be the most damaging player in the competition, he is still averaging 31 disposals and four tackles a game. He could potentially run head to head against Dane Swan or Scott Pendlebury this week, with Liam Picken doing the hard tag on one of the Magpie star midfielders.

The Wrap Up
The names through the Western Bulldogs midfield still make for impressive reading. The backline is also solid when at full strength. However, I think the Magpies are a better unit all over the field and should be able to contain the Western Bulldogs forwards with far greater efficiency than the Bulldogs will be able to contain Travis Cloke and Chris Dawes.

For the Bulldogs to be a show, they need a number of goals from their midfielders and need to move the ball a lot quicker than they have so far in season 2012.

The Collingwood line up is slowly beginning to look like what we have all become accustomed to in recent years and is looking very even and balanced once more.  Although I think the Pies will be a little flat to start the game, I think they should have the strength all over the park to get the job done.

By David Natoli

Aka DaVe8