ULTIMATE: NAB Cup Preview Pies vs Swans | Thebigtip

The first Round of the NAB Cup is finally over and we move into the qualifying finals stage of the pre-season competition. Thankfully, the majority of the new rules and the game duration go back to normal. This means we can get a greater perspective into how the sides are travelling leading into the home and away season and clubs may actually start taking the games a little more seriously.

This week’s preview takes a look at the Collingwood and Sydney game which takes place on Friday night at Etihad stadium from 7:40. Collingwood looked in ominous form a fortnight ago when they played Carlton and Richmond. They were able to win both games and the forward pressure in which the Magpies have made famous was on full display. On the other hand, Sydney make it through to the qualifying finals stage as one of the 2 ‘lucky losers’ from Round 1. The Swans smashed a young GWS teams, but then were shock losers to the new kids on the block Gold Coast in the game after.

The loss to GC was no great surprise to me and should be no cause for alarm for the Swans. I believe GC will be very competitive this year, but ultimately will run out of legs as games wear on. In a 20/20 format, and considering it was their first match ever in the AFL, I was not surprised to see the GC score an unlikely victory against a more seasoned side. Ultimately, I thought the Swans seemed pretty sharp and still look like they will be a force to be reckoned with in 2011.

The squads for Friday night’s game have already been announced on afl and have been supplied below.

COLLINGWOOD
1. Leon Davis, 2. Chris Tarrant, 5. Nick Maxwell, 7. Andrew Krakouer, 8. Harry O'Brien, 12. Luke Ball, 13. Dale Thomas, 14. Luke Rounds, 15. Leigh Brown, 17. Dayne Beams, 19. Cameron Wood, 20. Ben Reid, 21. Sharrod Wellingham, 23. Lachlan Keefe, 25. Tom Young, 26. Ben Johnson, 27. Simon Buckley, 28. Ben Sinclair, 30. Brent Macaffer, 32. Travis Cloke, 34. Alan Toovey, 35. Alex Fasolo, 36. Dane Swan, 37. Kirk Ugle, 38. Scott Reed, 39. Heath Shaw, 45. Tom Hunter, 48. Jye Bolton, 50. Shae McNamara

SYDNEY SWANS
1. Mark Seaby, 2. Rhyce Shaw, 3. Jarrad McVeigh, 4. Daniel Hannebery, 5. Ryan O'Keefe, 7. Brett Meredith, 8. Trent Dennis-Lane, 9. Trent Malceski, 10. Daniel Currie, 11. Jed Lamb, 12. Josh Kennedy, 13. Andrejs Everitt, 14. Craig Bird, 15. Kieren Jack, 16. Gary Rohan, 20. Sam Reid, 21. Ben McGlynn, 22. Byron Sumner, 23. Lewis Johnston, 24. Jude Bolton, 25. Ted Richards, 26. Luke Parker, 29. Martin Mattner, 32. Lewis Jetta, 33. Jarred Moore, 37. Adam Goodes, 38. Mike Pyke, 39. Heath Grundy, 42, Paul Bevan

Into the Collingwood team comes Maxwell, Rounds and Leon Davis, whilst Pendlebury, Jolly and Dawes are out. Didak and Dick are still listed as been 1 week away on the injury list. It seems as though Dane Swan will be given another week off.

The Swans welcome back Ryan O’Keefe and Heath Grundy. A few big names remain on the Swans injury list such as Bradshaw, Bolton, Mumford, Kennelly and Roberts-Thomson.

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