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Collingwood’s seven-game winning streak came to an end when they went down to Hawthorn by 45 points at the MCG last Saturday night.
The Magpies currently occupy fourth place on the AFL ladder with a 10-6 win-loss record. Carlton made it three wins a row for the first time since 2004 after thumping Sydney to the tune of 61 points – their first victory over the Swans since round eight, 2001. The Blues are in seventh spot with nine wins.
MEDICAL ROOM: The Magpies will be without promising young key defender Nathan Brown (knee). Number one ruckman Josh Fraser will be out for up to three weeks after undergoing surgery on his posterior cruciate ligament while veteran forward Anthony Rocca (Achilles) remains on the sidelines. For the Blues, defender Michael Jamison returns after being a late withdrawal against Sydney but Joe Anderson (hamstring) will miss. Setanta O’hAilpin (soreness), Robbie Warnock (foot) and Simon Wiggins (hamstring) remain unavailable while Andrew Walker made a successful return from a shoulder injury in the VFL but will have to wait at least another week before a senior recall. Jarrad Waite is out for the year with a knee injury.
KEY MATCH-UPS:
Tarkyn Lockyer vs. Chris Judd
Judd played a key role in Carlton’s drought-breaking win over Sydney, helping himself to 26 possessions, one goal and seven inside 50’s.
The last time these two sides met in round eight the Blues skipper racked up a game-high 32 disposals and pumped the football inside 50 eight times.
If the Magpies are going to have any hope of containing a potent Carlton forward line led by spearhead Brendan Fevola they will need to shut-down Judd’s run and carry.
Lockyer is one of Collingwood’s hardest runners and could well be used in an attacking run with role on the 2004 Brownlow medallist.
The Pies will need Lockyer who has booted 25 goals this season to push forward at every available opportunity and have an impact on the scoreboard as it will force Judd to be accountable which in turn will help limit his impact on the contest as a damaging midfielder.
Aaron Joseph vs. Alan Didak
Didak was well below his best in the loss to the Hawks, managing just 17 possessions – the Collingwood star had gathered at least 33 disposals in each of his five previous matches
The Magpies will need a lift from the classy 26-year-old if they are going to secure a much-needed win to consolidate their place in the top four.
Joseph has been given some big tagging jobs so far this season and looms as the obvious candidate to run with Didak.
Hawthorn tagger Ben McGlynn was able to put Didak off his game last Saturday night with his constant niggling tactics – expect Joseph to try and do the same.
The Pies will need Didak to not get sucked in by Joseph and focus on doing what he does best – being creative with the football and setting up scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Simon Prestigiacomo vs. Brendan Fevola
Fevola continued his recent run of good form, booting five goals against the Swans to take his season tally to 40 goals.
The Blues spearhead faces a tough night at the office with Prestigiacomo who kept him goalless earlier in the year to be his direct opponent.
While Prestigiacomo has been one of the best defenders in the competition so far this season he will still need support from his midfield.
They will need to suffocate the Blues’ running game with their pressure skills otherwise Marc Murphy, Bryce Gibbs, Judd and co. will be able to continually deliver the football quickly and cleanly into the forward line.
Michael Jamison vs. Paul Medhurst
Medhurst hasn’t been his usual dangerous self in recent times, managing just four goals in his past three matches.
Collingwood will need the former Docker to fire if they are going to have any hope of kicking a big enough score to snap a three-game losing streak against Carlton.
Jamison has performed well on Medhurst in the past and will most likely be given first crack at the Magpies forward once again.
In the round eight clash the Pies were continually guilty of going too wide and moving the football too slowly into the forward line – they will need to be direct with their use of the football on Friday night otherwise Medhurst will struggle to have an impact.
VERDICT: When these two sides met earlier in the year the Carlton midfield dominated with Kade Simpson, Judd, Gibbs and Murphy all winning plenty of the football. With Fraser still out of the side you would expect the Blues much-vaunted on-ball division to win more of the football at the stoppages and provide Fevola and co. with enough quality supply to kick a winning score in what shapes as being a high-quality contest.
Blues by 14 points.
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