- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Collingwood host the Sydney Swans at the MCG in what is set to be an enthralling Friday night clash between two competition heavyweights. We’ll have live scores and commentary on the action from 7.50pm AEST.
Round 8 saw Sydney stumble to a draw after an uncharacteristic fourth quarter fade-out against Fremantle from a team that prides itself on an ability to protect leads in the dying minutes of a game.
The news was far better for Collingwood, who registered a tense win against the previously undefeated Geelong. It’s a victory that has rejuvenated hopes of Collingwood making inroads late into September this year.
Collingwood showed great character in what was a rousing team performance, especially after Geelong had overcome a 26-point half-time deficit to lead by 13 points at the final break.
Sydney’s only success in the last 12 clashes between the clubs came when they overran Collingwood in last year’s preliminary final by 26 points.
And while they’ll no doubt take confidence from that performance, Sydney has been quick to scupper any suggestion that results against Collingwood in recent years will have any psychological bearing on tonight’s contest.
The Swans’ defensive stocks are still reeling from the continued absence of Rhyce Shaw, Marty Mattner and Lewis Roberts-Thomson, and will be tested again at a hostile MCG.
Jarrad McVeigh has been deployed down back to help sure up Sydney’s typically sturdy defence due to Sydney’s injury woes.
The Reid brothers look set to go head-to-head in an intriguing contest, despite Sam Reid spending time away from the goalposts in recent weeks.
After some patchy form in recent times, Collingwood amped up its tackling and defensive pressure on the weekend and will be hoping to find some consistency at a crucial stage in the season.
Sydney’s trademark pressure sees them sitting as the number one ranked tackling side; Collingwood is still languishing as the 11th best.
Expect a fierce contest tonight as there’s a lot on the line, and defeat for the Swans or Pies would damage their respective top four prospects.
It’s a tough one to call, but the Magpie Army might well prove to be the difference.
Collingwood by five points.
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.