Last Time We Met

West Coast 103 defeated Collingwood 76

After a red hot start to Round 5, the Pies wained to a disappointing 27-point defeat at Optus Stadium. The ever reliant Jack Crisp had an outstanding game with 38 disposals, alongside Brodie Grundy who had 20 disposals and two goals. Darcy Moore was sent forward for the first time in 2021, his three goals kept the Pies in it, but wasn’t enough in the end. Youngster Finlay Macrae made his debut and was impressive with 18 disposals.

Marquee Match-Ups

Intercepting Jeremy's: Howe v McGovern

Pies fans should be ecstatic to see the return of the high flying Jeremy Howe this week against the Eagles, and what a match to come back in. 15 rounds after Howe unfortunately injured himself against West Coast, the experienced defender is a welcome return to the Collingwood backline. A area of the team that has been tested for depth in 2021, with a variety of players being tested in new positions, Howe provides a level of stability to a young defence.

Yet to make a bid for mark of the year, time’s running out for Howe to add to his trophy cabinet this season. Maybe this is the week?

Down the other end of the ground, Jeremy McGovern will be doing his best to ensure none of the Collingwood forwards get off the leash. One of the elite intercepting defenders in the past decade, McGovern has proven himself on the biggest stage time and time again. Nullifying his impact on the game will be integral in getting the four points for Collingwood on Saturday evening. In Round 5, McGovern had 20 disposals, nine marks, seven rebounds and a goal assist.

Smooth moving mids: Steele Sidebottom v Tim Kelly

Back to his very best against Port Adelaide last weekend, Steele Sidebottom will come up against one of the in form midfielders in the competition right now in Tim Kelly.

The ex-Geelong man, Kelly has had a dominant last month and a very respectable 2021 in it’s entirety. Last time out, Kelly got on top of the Pies, with 28 disposals, seven clearances and a goal. He comes into this weekend’s match after an outstanding performance against St Kilda last round, with 26 disposals and a goal in a narrow victory. His ability to turn it on at any moment is a real threat to the Pies, a clear example of that against the Saints where he had 12 disposals and a goal in the second quarter alone.

Sidebottom is coming off his best performance in the last month after 26 disposals last time out against Port Adelaide. It’s ben an interesting year for the veteran, after he started the season in red hot form his consistency has been questioned in recent weeks. 14 disposals against St Kilda, and 16 against Carlton was a sub-par output for the dynamic midfielder. However look for him to continue his re-found form on Saturday evening.

Historically, Sidebottom performs very well against the Eagles, he averages 24 disposals and 2.8 clearances.

Goal sneak Jaime’s: Elliott v Cripps

Often flying under the radar, West Coast’s Jamie Cripps always poses a threat in the Eagles forward line at the feet of their key forwards. Cousin of Carlton’s Patrick, Cripps is one of those players that you don’t want getting a lot of the ball. Two weeks ago his 25 disposals resulted in five goals in a match winning performance over the Adelaide Crows. The type of player who almost always hits the scoreboard, he is one of the benefactors of the depth in West Coast’s forward line.

In a similar fashion, if you let Jamie Elliott get the ball too many times, he’s going to make you pay. 17 goals in just nine games this season, including that massive six-goal haul against the Crows, Elliott is a cornerstone of this Collingwood side.

His explosiveness down forward constantly causes issues for opposition, and has hit the scoreboard in each of his last five games. Recently he’s been able to balance that scoring output with effective stints in the midfield too, providing speed and footballing smarts around the contest.

Look Out For

Youth & experience balance

A host of players will return from injury this weekend to add some experience to what was a very young side last weekend. In addition to the already mentioned Jeremy Howe, look out for the likes of Chris Mayne, Will Hoskin-Elliott and Josh Thomas to return to the senior side.

Combined, those players will add 708 games of AFL experience.

Inside Word

Chris Mayne the distributor

The 32-year-old is currently leading the competition for kicking efficiency, with an average of 90.2% in 2021. A player that has been under appreciated for much of his career, Mayne plays a vital role in Collingwood’s backline.

Mayne is having a career best year, averaging  a career high 23.54 disposals per game and 7.69 marks per game.

It’s his cool, calm and collected presence in defence that helps support what is otherwise a very inexperienced backline. Fantastic at hitting a short target to release pressure and allow the team to set up in front of the football.

Pies Priority

Strong end to 2021

It’s been a long, testing season for the Pies but it’s vital that the team take strong momentum into the offseason as a tone setter leading into 2022. A fantastic opportunity to take it up to a side who has seemingly locked up another finals berth this year, the Pies should have great motivation to enjoy a strong end to the 2021 season.

Collingwood v West Coast Eagles
AFL Round 20
Saturday, July 31
MCG, 4.15pm (AEST)