Last Time We Met

Collingwood 59 defeated Hawthorn 27

A fast starting Pies almost had the game won after the first quarter at Giants Stadium in round six of 2020. Will Kelly slotted a goal with his first kick in AFL footy, two goals from Mihocek and one each for Cox and Hoskin-Elliott gave the Pies a 25 point lead at the first break.

Darcy Moore was fantastic down back all night, keeping the Hawks forwards largely scoreless and amassing 21 disposals himself. Taylor Adams led the way in the midfield beside Scott Pendlebury and Brodie Grundy, Jamie Elliott also lending a hand with fiveclearances on the night. 

Will Hoskin-Elliott finished the game off, running into an open goal with just minutes left in the final quarter. 

Marquee Match-Ups

Inside bulls: Taylor Adams v Jaeger O'Meara

Hawks midfielder Jaeger O'Meara is coming off the back of one of his career best performances last week against the Lions. The ex-Gold Coast Sun has had an injury interrupted career at the Hawks but at his best is one of the hardest match-ups in the competition. Against the Lions O'Meara had 35 disposals, 11 tackles, eight clearances and a goal to top it all off. 

It won't be as easy this week for the Hawk, as he matches up on one of the toughest players in the competition in Taylor Adams. Adams is also coming off an outstanding game last weekend against the Eagles, amassing 34 disposals, 14 contested possessions and nine clearances. In what has been a rollercoaster of a 2021 season for Adams, he has found some great consistency in the back end of the year, playing the last six consecutive games. He will be one to watch as he looks to gain positive momentum going into the off season in preparation for 2022. 

Unsung heroes: Jordan Roughead v Sam Frost

The lockdown defender just doesn't get enough praise in the modern game, a role that goes without saying is one of the most important in any successful side. Both Sam Frost and Jordan Roughead are often given the task of shutting down the opposition's most dangerous key forward every week, and both complete the task to a high standard. 

Frost is an athletic beast, his explosiveness and speed makes him a nightmare match-up for the big men up forward. Given the task last week against Brisbane's Joe Daniher, Frost was able to keep the ex-Essendon man to just 11 disposals and one goal. His other scalps this season include keeping Melbourne's Ben Brown to one goal, Port Adelaide's Mitch Georgiadis to one goal and Sydney's Lance Franklin to one goal. It's fair to say the likes of Darcy Cameron and Brody Mihocek will have their work cut out for them this weekend. 

Down the other end of the ground will be the ever-reliant Jordan Roughead. Roughead has been nothing short of fantastic all season, holding up a backline that has been tested with extensive injuries to key components throughout the year. Despite this, it's been very rare that Roughead's opponent has got on top of him in a dominant display. West Coast's Josh Kennedy could only muster a junk time goal last week against Roughead, leading Coleman Medalist Harry McKay was held quiet for three quarters against the Blues and Richmond's Jack Reiwoldt only managed one goal when the Pies rolled the reigning premiers. 

In what is likely to be a close contest, look for the impact of these two players to play a major role in who comes out on top on Sunday afternoon.

Versatile veterans: Shaun Burgoyne v Chris Mayne

The 'Mr Fix It's" of footy, Burgoyne and Mayne have both had outstanding AFL careers plying their trade in a variety of positions. From taking kick-outs from full back to resting at full forward, these two have done it all and their versatility will be on full display on Sunday afternoon.

In his final season of AFL Chris Mayne has had arguably the best year of his career, averaging a career high in disposals, marks, rebounds, kicks, handballs, uncontested possessions, 1%ers...the list goes on! Mayne has played a crucial role in this side, utilising his experience and leadership to help develop a very young Collingwood team. His composure with ball in hand has been pivotal in allowing his team mates to play under less pressure from their opponents, and set the team up behind the football. 

From a similar perspective, Shaun Burgoyne has been the ultimate gap filler for the Hawks for many seasons now. After moving to Hawthorn from Port Adelaide at the end of the 2009 season, the veteran has been the pinnacle of consistency. A key part of Hawthorns success throughout the 2010's, the Hawks' reliance on his footballing output has faded with his age, but his value off-field and in a leadership sense can not go under-appreciated. 

These two champions of the game will face each other for the final time this Sunday in what is sure to be an emotional affair.

Look Out For

Beau's back!

Pies fans will be excited by the prospect of the speedy and dangerous Beau Mccreery's inclusion into the lineup. After tearing his hamstring in round 15 against Fremantle, Mccreery will look to return to the form he was displaying before injury. 

In his first year at the club, the young forward has kicked 11 goals in his 10 games, the most of any debutant in 2021.

Inside Word

Quintessential Quaynor in career best form

In his third season at the club, Isaac Quaynor is growing into a prime mover across the half-backline for the Pies. He's gone to a new level in 2021, averaging a career high in disposals, handballs, marks, kicks, rebounds, contested possessions, uncontested possesions, and 1%ers. Given a bigger role in the defence this year as a consequence of injury but also his clear improvement. Quaynor has risen to expectation on multiple occasions showing he's capable of being relied upon in the big moments. No moment has been bigger for Quaynor than last week against the Eagles when he finally slotted that elusive goal that has been avoiding him for 33 games. 

Look for Quaynor to be a sneaky dark horse in this year's Copeland Trophy. 

Pies Priority

Get games in the kids

The Pies have had the most debutants in the AFL this season, with nine players getting the opportunity to don the black and white stripes for the first time in 2021. Four of those players starred against the Eagles last weekend, and there's a good chance a few more will return before the end of the season with Beau McCreery back to fitness and Caleb Poulter returning to form through the VFL.

Hawthorn v Collingwood
AFL Round 21
Sunday, August 8
MCG, 2.10pm (AEST)