AFL Preview Round 14: Magpies v Blues

Collingwood v Carlton
Sun 3:20pm at MCG

The sole game for Sunday sees a red-hot Pies side take on cellar dwellers Carlton at the MCG. Things just keep getting worse for Brendan Bolton’s baby Blues, and angry fans will be demanding a response against their biggest rivals. No doubt the Magpies will be full of confidence after their breathtaking Queen’s Birthday performance against Melbourne, and ready to deal with anything Carlton throw their way.

Form

Collingwood (LWWWW) – How good were Collingwood on the Queen’s Birthday! Liz would have been very proud. They were simply unstoppable against a side that had won 6 in a row, with the midfield full of run and the forward line gelling like we’ve never seen before. Cox, Hoskin-Elliott, Stephenson and Thomas looked incredibly dangerous, and it is clear the side are completely buying into Buckley’s game plan. Readying for another Premiership tilt?

Carlton (WLLLL) – You’d hate to be a Carlton fan, endlessly exposed to Bolton’s tiring excuses. They were more experienced than the Dockers last week and got so comprehensively thumped their own supporters booed them off the field at half-time. Jonathan Brown highlighted some pathetic efforts by senior players (such as Kerridge jogging about 30m behind his opponent, leading to a goal) and if it wasn’t for Kade Simpson and Patrick Cripps they would have lost by 200. Kade Simpson is the hardest runner in the Carlton side at 34. Why on earth aren’t the green shoots enthusiastic runners?!

Stats That Matter– Collingwood have won 8 of their past 10 games
– Carlton are 4-2 ATS in their last 6
– Scott Pendlebury averages 27 disposals and 118 Fantasy Points per game against the Blues
– The Pies are 5-2 on the Over-Under in their last 7 matches
– Carlton have won just two 1st quarters this year for a percentage of 57%
– Steele Sidebottom had 34 touches and 3 goals in their Round 3 meeting
– The Pies are averaging 115 points per game over their past 4 matches

Betting Data

2018 Line: Collingwood- 8-4; Carlton- 6-6

2018 Over-Under: Collingwood- 6-6; Carlton- 6-6

What To Expect

The Wolf isn’t expecting a whole lot from the Carlton ‘green shoots’ after last week’s insipid display. You’d expect the Blues come out firing in the first quarter but Buckley will have the Pies thoroughly prepared to absorb it before putting the foot down. Players like Sidebottom and Treloar should run riot and if the big fella Mason Cox is clunking them like he was against Melbourne he’ll kick a bag against this defence (or lack thereof). Pies by PLENTY.

How It’s Shaping UpCollingwood by 52

Pump It Up Price Special: Pies Win 40+ & Treloar, Pendles & Sidebottom Combine for 100+ Disposals ($5.50)

Recommended Bets

Best Bet: Collingwood 40+ ($1.63)
Value Bet: Collingwood 121+ Points ($3.85)
Player Prop: Steele Sidebottom 120+ Fantasy Points ($3.25)
First Goalscorer: Josh Thomas