Essendon's Patrick Ryder and Collingwood's Josh Fraser contest the ruck in round five
Related content
Today's headlines
Today's videos
Where and when: MCG, Friday, July 3, 7.40pm AEST
Head to head: Collingwood 117 wins, Essendon 98 wins, four draws
Last time: Essendon 13.15 (93) d Collingwood 12.16 (88), round five, 2009, at the MCG
MISSING IN ACTION
Collingwood
Brent Macaffer (knee) - test
John McCarthy (hamstring) - 1 week
Scott Pendlebury (knee) - test
Sean Rusling (hip flexor) - 2 weeks
Anthony Rocca (achilles) - 2-3 weeks
Johnny Bennell (broken collarbone) - 4-6 weeks
Essendon
Adam McPhee (calf) - test
Mark McVeigh - club suspension
Jobe Watson (ankle) - 2 weeks
Rhys Magin (shoulder) - 2-3 weeks
Scott Gumbleton (back) - indefinite
Jason Laycock (foot) - season
David Hille (knee) - season
FORM
Collingwood: WWWWW
Essendon: WLLWW
SUMMARY
The Magpies are flying. Five victories on the trot and a percentage-boosting win over Fremantle has confidence at season-high levels down at the Lexus Centre. They thumped Freo last weekend and that was without Leon Davis and Scott Pendlebury. It is likely to have at least one of its prime movers back against the Bombers. However the even spread of contributors must be most pleasing for Mick Malthouse. His side had 13 goalkickers last week, and there appear to be few deficiencies in the black and white camp. Importantly, its forward half looks among the more potent in the AFL.
Essendon has defied expectations. Not many saw last week's drubbing of Carlton coming; no-one saw the massive margin. Matthew Knights has a young list which not only plays exciting football, but believes in the methods the coach preaches. The likes of Tayte Pears and Cale Hooker are unlikely to strike much fear into opposition coaches or fans, but they are getting the job done most weeks. Meanwhile, Essendon's more experienced players continue to deliver. The blend of youth and experience is working a charm for the Dons, but this week could provide their sternest test since the Cats.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Sharrod Wellingham (Collingwood)
Wellingham has only played 20 games of league footy but one can almost see his improvement from week to week. Averaging almost 20 possessions a match, he's getting better and better as he learns his midfield craft alongside the likes of Davis, Swan, O'Bree and Pendlebury. Smart around clearances and with a nose for goal, his dash could be vital against the pacy Bombers.
Alwyn Davey (Essendon)
One might have thought a season-ending knee injury last year would have slowed Davey down. It clearly hasn't. His pace is a vital ingredient in the Bombers' success. Mixed in with the likes of Andrew Lovett, Courtenay Dempsey, Ricky Dyson and Jason Winderlich, Davey helps form a lethal combination be it offensively or running down the opposition.
QUESTION MARKS
Essendon's defence will face a very different challenge this week when they face the more fleet-footed Collingwood forwards. Do they have the small defenders to cover the Magpies attacking arsenal?
Anzac Day proved to be Patrick Ryder's 'coming out' game as he was forced into the ruck when teammate David Hille went down with a knee injury. Can he again exert himself and will his side across the line?
A crowd of 84,829 crammed the MCG in round five. Will more turn out to watch these two league powers slug it out in round 14?
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
Essendon has taken some big scalps this season and pulled off some unlikely wins at times. But one wonders whether they'll be able to climb an even bigger mountain this week. The Bombers did have the last laugh when these two teams last met, however that was an unlikely victory after Matthew Knights' team crawled off the canvas in the final moments.
Collingwood's midfield has been terrific in recent weeks and with at least one key inclusion on Friday night it should again be superior to its opposition. Jobe Watson, who injured an ankle against Carlton last week, is a big blow for Essendon, while Mark McVeigh's decision to catch up with a former teammate will only further help the Pies' cause. Given those factors, Collingwood's forwards should see plenty of footy, and recent weeks have shown just how damaging they can be.
PREDICTION
Collingwood by 29 points
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
WebMail
My BigPond