Roar Guru
Collingwood and Port Adelaide do battle in the first of the elimination finals for the right to play the loser of Geelong vs Fremantle and continue their season for another week. We’ll have live scores from 7.45pm AEST.
On paper and from previous history, the Magpies would be favourites, but if the Power have proved one thing this year it is that they cannot be underestimated.
Ken Hinkley has completed a remarkable turnaround for a side that had a terrible 2012.
He has galvanised his troops and instilled a belief that they can achieve anything.
Make no mistake, Port will believe they can win this game.
The Magpies have had a strange season.
At their best, they have played to the standard they set in their 2010 premiership year.
At their worst, they have looked vulnerable all over the ground and have been taken apart by opposition teams.
Three wins from the past five starts should give the Pies some confidence though, as will the return of stars Luke Ball and Harry O’Brien.
Jordan Russell and Ben Kennedy have been omitted.
And of course, the game is being played at the MCG, a ground at which Collingwood is comfortable, to say the least.
Port welcome back some important players of their own, however, in Hamish Hartlett, Robbie Gray and Alipatie Carlile.
Brent Renouf, Lewis Stevenson and Jack Hombsch have been omitted.
The Pies will need to be wary of Port’s running power and fitness, with the Power showing the ability in several games this season to run over the top of their opposition.
They will look to pile on the scoring early and give good supply to power forward Travis Cloke.
They will also look to involve talisman Alan Didak in as much of the play as possible when he comes on the ground.
When they are up and about, the Pies midfield is probably the best in the competition.
Port will not only have to play them close but also hurt them on the rebound – accountability is one area that they can try to dominate the Pies runners.
Whatever happens, we’re in September and there is no tomorrow.
Bring it on.