Time: 14:10 AEST
Date: 29-05-2011
Venue: MCG, Melbourne

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This game sees the Eagles head to Melbourne in pretty decent form after a 123 point home win over the Doggies. But many would argue the Pies performance was just as devastating with a massive last quarter to run away as 48 point victors over the Crows. I think the Pies will be ready for a 4 qtr effort in this one.

Collingwood Magpies

The Pies blew the Crows out of the water in the last term after a lacklustre first three quarters. This was ominous to me and said that the Pies can flick that switch whenever they want. Their coach will not want a sloppy start this week and expect to see the Pies stamp their authority on this one from the outset.

In defence they appear too strong from an unreliable Eagles attack. Ben Reid, Heath Shaw, nick Maxwell and Harry O are the key men for the Pies through defence. In these four men they have stoppers, spoilers, tacklers, decision makers and runners who can turn the game their way. Much talk is on the Pies midfield but the way their defence plays is not to be scoffed at.

The centreline is bursting at the seams with talent. From Dane Swan
to Scott Pendlebury and from Jarryd Blair to Sharrod Wellingham you have class everywhere. It is true that a good team plays with confidence and it is fair to say that the Pies have been hot for a year now. They will dominate through the middle and the game will be won for them here.

Up forward the Pies appear to have too many options. With Travis Cloke and Chris Dawes they have the twin towers but when you add Dayne Beams and Andrew Krakoeur to the mix, there is some serious potency up there. Not to mention the midfield players always chime in with contributions on the scoreboard.

West Coast Eagles

The Eagles had a massive win at home to the Doggies but this is a
very different proposition. Josh Kennedy will not kick 10 this week however his contribution will be important if his team is to have any sniff of a win.

The Eagle defence is pretty weak and against the Pies it will cop an absolute pounding. They have plenty of youngsters who might be names to remember in a few years’ time but right now they are inconsistent and really struggle to perform when the odds are against them.

Through the middle the Eagles are going to be relying on a select few to overrun the machine that is the Magpie midfield. Daniel Kerr, Matt Priddis and Matt Rosa will be expected to produce big things and while they are more than capable I do not see all three of them having big games on the road against the Pies.

The forward line you would think is potent after their display at the weekend. But I put to the punters out there that they played a disenfranchised Bulldogs team who switched off, particularly after 3QTR time. This will not happen this week and whilst Kennedy and co. will try and try I find it hard to see them kicking more than 80 points against the Pies.

The Verdict

The Pies should run this one out pretty comfortably.

The Pick :

Collingwood Magpies 127- West Coast Eagles 78

PERCENTAGE ESTIMATE :

85 %

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take Collingwood to cover the -32.5 pts at 1.92 at Centrebet.