Sydney Swans v Collingwood Magpies
AFL Aussie Rules : Australia : AFL Premiership
Venue : ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Saturday, 26th June 2010, Start 19:10 AEST

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With both sides having had 2 weeks off they will be going hard to get the victory in this one. I think this will be a fast paced match with the venue providing the impetus for both teams to go on the attack. ANZ Stadium is much bigger than the regular Sydney home venue, the SCG.

This should suit Collingwood as they will send the ball wide and use their pace and slick skills across the vast expanses of ANZ Stadium. Both teams will know how important a win will be as they both need victories to stay in touch with the top 4, Sydney slightly more so.

Sydney Swans (6th, 7-5)

The Swans had a good win 2 weeks ago when they came away with a convincing victory on the road against Port Adelaide. This one will be harder but their road win will see a confident Swans side front the Magpies when they enter the harbour city.

In the forward line the key man Daniel Bradshaw will be asked to prove his fitness on Thursday at training. He has missed around a month now with a knee injury but would be a welcome addition to Sydney. But the Swans have still managed to score despite Bradshaw’s absence. Adam Goodes and Josh Kennedy have stepped up and their contributions will once again be required regardless of whether or not Bradshaw pulls on the boots.

The young brigade for the Swans through the centre has really been impressive. Kieran Jack and Daniel Hannebery have impressed from round one. Their pace and great distribution of the ball mean the Sydney forwards can now expect the ball from more players than the usual suspects in Jude Bolton and Brett Kirk. Bolton has been in career best form in his last two matches and his ability to win the hard ball alongside Kirk will determine if Sydney can win the battle of getting first use out of the centre.

Down back the key figure for Sydney is Heath Grundy. He has been supported well be Lewis Roberts-Thompson but it is Grundy who is pushing hard for a spot in the esteemed All-Australian side. These two blokes will find themselves up against the two key Pie forwards and the result of these matchups will go a long way to determining the result.

Martin matter, Tadgh Kennelly and Nick Malceski will be the pivotal figures when it comes to turning defence into attack for the Swans. All 3 use the ball well and have penetrative kicks, and if they can cause some turnovers at inopportune moments the Swans may be able to hurt the Pies on the scoreboard.

Collingwood Magpies (4th, 8-3-1)

The Pies drew their last game in the Queen’s Birthday fixture 2 weeks ago. A draw in AFL is as rare as a 7-0 in a Premier League season but it happened to the Pies. They will think they were unlucky as their inaccurate kicking made sure they couldn’t win the fixture. They head to Sydney fresh and raring to go after a week off and I think the big ground and the young legs will enough to do the job for the Pies.

The forward line for Collingwood is led by Travis Cloke. He is often maligned for his dumb leads and very erratic kicking but he appears to be slowly turning a corner with his football, which is making him appear more consistent. If he can take 6-8 marks and have 5-6 shots at goal on Saturday I think he can hurt the Swans where it matters.

He will be assisted in the forward line by Brent McAffer who has shown some ability and Paul Medhurst. Medhurst is one of those freakish small forwards who can turn it on for the crowd at any given moment but even he has nothing on Leon Davis. When Davis is on he is electric. Davis could be ready for a big one at a place where he may not feel the pressure to the same extent as he does in Melbourne.

The Collingwood centre line has endless talent, with most it being very young. The Pies love rotating players between the midfield and half-forward. The likes of Sherrod Wellingham, Alan Didak, Dayne Beams and Steele Sidebottom can all win ball in the centre and then go forward and kick goals. It is an absolute luxury to have players like this and expect these blokes to feature on the scorers list.

Dane Swan, Scott Pendlebury and Dale Thomas can be expected to lead the line for the Pies n terms of getting clearances and delivering the ball inside 50. Pendlebury has been very solid in recent weeks and if his form continues he could go close to best afield.

Harry O’Brien is the favourite guy for many Pies fans. His ability to break free from tackles and put metres on opponents in a second is what makes him an unusual talent in the defensive region for the Pies. Alan Toovey has developed a cult following by Pies fans and he is another young Pie who is coming along with leaps and bounds.

Simon Prestigiacomo is a very awkward looking full-back but he is one of the best when you take a look at the stats. He makes it tough for his opponents and with the help of Ben Reid I think the Pies may make it tough for the Swans to score at will.

The Pick :

Collingwood to win

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take Collingwood to cover the start of -8.5 points at 1.91 at Centrebet (Medium-High Stakes)