AFL Preview Round 8: Magpies v Cats

Collingwood v Geelong
Sun 3:20pm at MCG

What a game we have in store for us on Sunday afternoon at the ‘G- a blockbuster between the Pies and the Cats! Collingwood have now won 4 of their past 5 games (with their only loss coming against the defending Premiers) and can take some confidence in their strong recent record against Geelong- and their current side is in a much better space to continue on with that record. Geelong’s season of swings and roundabouts continued last round with a thumping 61 point win over the Giants, which will give them a much needed boost ahead a huge game against the resurgent Magpies.

Form

Collingwood (WWWLW) – The Pies were pushed all the way by an enthusiastic Lions side last round, but clung on to win by 7 points after a career-defining 20 disposal, 5 goal performance by bad-boy Jordy de Goey. Treloar, Sidebottom, Pendlebury and Phillips are probably the form midfield in the comp right now and they are often supplied with the ball on a platter thanks to the herculean performances of Brodie Grundy- who has been averaging 22 disposals, 36 hit-outs and 6 clearances a game. Massive numbers.

Geelong (LWWLW) – Losing to an injury depleted Sydney one week, thumping the 3rd placed Giants by 61 points the next. There are certainly some issues down at the Cattery- mainly centered around depth and the tail of their list, but with a midfield of Dangerfield, Selwood, Menegola, Duncan and Kelly they are always going to give themselves a chance in any game. Wolfie is a massive fan of mature aged draftee Tim Kelly- he has the silky skills and svelte movement of fellow WA product Maurice Rioli.

Stats That Matter– Collingwood has won 3 of the last 4 meetings
– Gary Ablett averages 30 disposals and 127 Fantasy points per game against the Pies
– Geelong has had 5 consecutive games go Unders
– Scott Pendlebury has averaged 29 disposals, a goal and 129 Fantasy points a game in his last 4 against Geelong
– Collingwood have scored 100+ points in 4 of their past 5 games
– Brodie Grundy has scored 110+ Fantasy points in his last 6 games
– The Cats are 3-1 ATS in their last 4 matches

Betting Data

2018 Line: Collingwood- 4-3; Geelong- 4-3
2018 Over-Under: Collingwood- 3-4; Geelong- 2-5

What To Expect

The Wolf is absolutely PUMPED for this match. Both sides come into this clash in good form, and this has all the hallmarks of an absolute nail-biter. The loss of Hawkins to another ill-disciplined suspension is a blow for the Cats, and leaves question marks over their forward structure again- but they certainly seem well equipped enough to cope with it. At the other end of the field is where the Wolf thinks the Pies can capitalise, however, with the gallant young Cats defence likely to be stretched on the big dimensions of the ‘G as they try to deal with a potent Pies forward line that is well supplied by the Rolls Royce Collingwood midfield. Pies in a tight one!

How It’s Shaping UpCollingwood by 4

Recommended Bets

Best: Collingwood WIN ($2.35)
Value: Quarter by Quarter- Collingwood/Geelong/Geelong/Collingwood ($29.00)
Player Prop: Brodie Grundy 120+ Fantasy Points ($2.25)
First Goalscorer: Jordan DeGoey