The Ultimate Collingwood v West Coast Preview | Thebigtip

It’s Round 14 and Collingwood host West Coast at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night. The run home to finals has begun, and the top 8 is still very even. Geelong’s loss to St.Kilda has particularly opened up the top 4, with Collingwood a sneaky chance to move into the top 2 at the conclusion of this round.

The Eagles on the other hand are languishing in 2nd last position, merely percentage ahead of Richmond. The heat has been turned up on John Worsfold, who has stated that his team will not finish last in 2010. Yet, on paper, and based on form, it’s hard to see the Eagles keeping ahead of Richmond or Adelaide.

No doubt injury has plagued the West Coast’s season. Realistically, there is no logical reason why the Eagles should beat a relatively full strength Collingwood side this weekend. They are missing stars, they do not travel well and their midfield and defence is reliant on teenagers. The odds are truly stacked against them. This is what worries me.

If Eagles are serious about keeping off last place, then they need to win this weekend. They have had a fortnight to prepare for this game and get a few players back from injury. The pressure is on coach and players to perform. I have no doubt they will come out firing on Saturday night. If they are unable to be competitive against the Magpies, I fear their season will fall away quickly and they will finish last. It’s time for the Eagles to make a statement, and if they allow themselves to be mauled by the Magpies, all hope gained from the weeks break will be flattened.

Defence has been the biggest worry for the Eagles, which has been emphasised by the absence of their captain Darren Glass. Jack Riewoldt helped himself to 10 goals against the young Eagles defence. Dawes and Cloke loom large this round.

On the other hand, Collingwood put a patchy month’s form to bed last week with a convincing away win against Sydney. In the past, the Magpies have used this game as a catapult towards a finals run. Considering Geelong is playing Hawthorn next round and they are missing a number of star players, there is a real chance the Magpies can in fact over take the Cats and put pressure on St.Kilda as well.

Malthouse may have remarked about the inequities about the draw...and to some extent Collingwood face a tough run home considering they face Geelong, St.Kilda and Hawthorn. However, they also face all the cellar dwellers as well, as they are yet to face West Coast, Richmond or Adelaide. So even if the Pies lose the tough ones and win the easy ones, it will be enough to finish in the top 4 very comfortably with around 15 or 16 wins.

So, can the Eagles make a stand? Or will the Magpies go about their business and cement themselves in the top 4? Let’s delve into it.

THE FORMLINE
The Eagles have lost their previous 5 games and have generally been woeful. They were ok in Round 13 against the Dogs for 2 and a half quarters, but then faded miserably.

Collingwood have 2 wins, 2 losses and a draw to show for their previous 5 rounds, however they have been undefeated in the previous 3 rounds, with Melbourne getting the draw in Round 12.

RECENT HISTORY
Collingwood have won the previous 3 encounters between these sides, and 4 of the last 5 games. The last clash was in Round 9 last year at Subiaco where Collingwood won 88-66.

Nick Maxwell polled the 3 votes (29 possessions, 12 marks) and was the general all day. Leon Davis polled the 2 votes (32 disposals, 3 goals) and Dane