The Ultimate Rd 15 Preview: Port v Collingwood | Thebigtip

Round 15 opens on Friday night when the Port Adelaide Power host the Collingwood Magpies at AAMI stadium. It is a game between 2 sides in completely contrasting form and ladder positions. On the one hand, Collingwood is backing up from an 83 point hiding of the West Coast Eagles, whilst Port Adelaide was on the receiving end of a 57 point mauling from the Dockers.

For the second week in a row, Collingwood’s opposition is a side where the coach is under pressure, senior players are under pressure and fans are restless. As my readers would know, games like this make me nervous. However, I was perhaps a bit conservative last week with my preview, so this week I’ll try and preview the game at face value.

Port Adelaide is well and truly struggling. Mark Williams’ papers seem stamped, and a few of the senior players are out of sorts. Though they played a good 2nd quarter against Fremantle, they looked a rabble for the other 3. The loss was the Powers 7th in a row, putting them into 4th last position. This is behind their neighbours Adelaide for the first time this year. I do think that they will come out pretty fired up on Friday night, however their ability to sustain the pressure over 4 quarters is the major worry. This is a shame for Port Adelaide, because intensity and sustained pressure was the hallmark of their game in the first few rounds of season 2010, and they looked set for a good year. It has all become unstuck very quickly.

Collingwood has no such worries. The biggest dilemma for Malthouse will be how to fit Steele Sidebottom back into the side, and whether Josh Fraser and Paul Medhurst have done enough to earn a recall. The list has never looked healthier. The trip to Adelaide is not going to phase the Pies, as AAMI stadium is a happy hunting ground for Collingwood in recent years, and a big Collingwood contingent of fans will make the trip over.

In my opinion, games against the lower sides are just as important as games against St.Kilda and Geelong. Collingwood has a tough run home, so getting comfortable victories against the bottom sides is essential. With 10 wins under the belt, the Magpies realistically only need another 5 to secure a top 4 spot. Much has been made about the tendency of the Magpies to drop games against lower ranked sides, so for me this is a very important game for the Collingwood Football Club. Getting the wins early means there will be less pressure on the side during the run home, they can rest players in the manner Geelong and the Saints did last year, and they won’t have to rely on other results to secure a top 4 spot.

So are Port a chance? Or is this game going to be another easy win for the Magpies? Let’s get into it.

RECENT HISTORY

Collingwood owns the recent history between these 2 sides. They have won 4 of the last 5.

The last encounter was well over a year ago, in Round 10. The Magpies ran out comfortable victors by 38 points. The game will be remembered for as Dane Swan’s day out. He picked up 48 disposals and was literally everywhere. By the end of the game, the main focus was on getting Dane Swan the ball to try and get him to the 50 disposal mark. He polled the 3 votes. Domenic Cassissi polled the 2 votes with a 30 possession game along with a goal, whilst Scott Pendlebury earnt the 1 vote with 24 classy possessions and 5 tackles. John Anthony was the major goal-scorer on the ground with 4, whilst Didak and Dick kicked 3 each. Ebert looked dangerous for the Power with 3 goals.

Dane Swan’s record against the Power is very impressive. Like with the Eagles, he averages over 30 disposals a game. Pendlebury averages 25, whilst Didak and Thomas average around 24. Kane Cornes is perhaps the Power’s most consistent contributor against Collingwood, averaging 27 disposals.

AT THE SELECTION TABLE

The Power is likely to make a few changes. Travis Boak will be a very important inclusion after he was a late withdrawal last week due to a groin complaint. Cameron Cloke will also push for selection. After Jolly’s dominant display last week, the Power may look to get some backup for Dean Brogan who was comprehensively beaten by Sandilands. Cloke would be pretty keen to put on a fine display against his former club. Considering Lobbe will be out until around Round 16, the Power could use a backup ruck for Brogan.