Could it get any worse? That’s the question been asked in regards to Collingwood’s injury crisis and the answer may well be no. Last weekend the Pies started favourites in a matchup vs the lowly Brisbane Lions, only for everything that could go wrong actually going wrong. From late in the week until the final quarter of the game vs the Lions, Collingwood lost as many as 7 players to injury, including 3 season ending injuries to absolute stars (Beams, Cloke, Reid). Yes the performance wasn’t up to scratch against the Lions but for once there were real excuses, with an injury plague so big that it became either something you laughed or cried at, depending on your individual response to such things occurring. That loss, and the loss of those players to injury, basically ended Collingwood’s 2014 finals hopes and leaves them with two rather meaningless games to play still.

The first of those games comes on Saturday when the Magpies travel north to face the league’s newest team, the Greater Western Sydney Giants, for only the second time on their home ground. The Giants themselves have no hope of playing finals, and like the Pies have been hit hard by injuries recently so this game then becomes about restoring pride and looking to the future rather than what is relevant this season. The Giants have had a much improved season and for the first time in their short history they aren’t going to win the wooden spoon, the hypothetical object given out for the team that finishes on the bottom of the ladder. Their win last week over Melbourne at the MCG may well have been their greatest yet, as with several players injured they fought through to record a commanding victory over a hapless Demons outfit. Compare that to Collingwood who are coming off yet another demoralising loss and the Giants will go into this game believing they can notch another win.

COLLINGWOOD PREVIEW

The Magpies have had a shocking season in terms of injuries but that is only part of the reason why they won’t play finals for the first time in 9 seasons. They’ve had a woeful second half of the season (2 wins, 7 losses in the last 9 games) and some of the losses, and the ways they’ve gone about it in those losses have been totally inexcusable. The loss to the Lions last week was a perfect example of this, as although the Pies got several injuries on the night they still weren’t competitive for large periods of the game, and their customary fight and intensity just wasn’t present at all. Of course the injuries don’t help but GWS managed to destroy a weak Melbourne side with several injuries of their own, so that’s not an excuse for such a capitulation by the Pies. There are positives though, with plenty of youngsters getting games they may well have not had without the injury crisis occurring. Possible stars of the future like Kennedy, Adams, Witts, Grundy, Broomhead, Martin, Frost, Langdon and Keeffe have all had more games then they probably would have under different circumstances, which bodes well for the future. And that’s why the Pies have to think about now, their future and we may well see another debutante or two this weekend for the Magpies.

In regards to selection there are going to be plenty of changes, with up to 7 players missing through injury who were selected last weekend. The VFL side did have a great win though down at Geelong to secure a finals spot so there are a few choices for the selection committee to make. Tom Langdon, Jesse White, Scott Pendlebury and Jamie Elliott come back in for sure, if they are fit enough, and then there’s several others out of the VFL in contention. Two youngsters yet to debut at senior level who may come in this week are Jackson Ramsay (small defender) and Corey Gault (ruckman/defender). Both have performed very well in recent weeks at VFL level and have put their hands up for a chance to play in the seniors. Of course the loss of the likes of Beams, Reid, Cloke and Toovey will hurt the Magpies ability to perform this week but they really should be winning this game regardless.

 

OPPOSITION ANALYSIS

It’s been a good year for the GWS Giants so far, especially considering the very low base they were coming off. In their first two seasons of senior AFL football they only managed three wins, yet this season they’ve already notched up five and they still have two more games to go. Some of those wins have been statements too especially the wins over Carlton and Sydney, too very good football teams. The win against Melbourne last week was as good as any of them though, especially considering the injuries they had on the day and the way they destroyed the Dees when given the chance. The young Giants are improving and the addition of experienced players like Mumford and Pies premiership player Heath Shaw have added to their list immeasurably. This will be the first time Heath Shaw clashes with his former side and with several leaders missing he may well be captain on the day. The Giants go into this game with about as much injury decimation as the Pies, so the side they will field won’t be their best.

The Giants backline has held up ok this year considering their defensive leader, Phil Davis, has only managed half of the games so far this season, and is likely to be missing again this week. In fact ex Pie Heath Shaw is almost certain to be the only experienced player in the defense this week. That may not be as a big a problem as it seems though, with the Pies themselves having several forwards missing this week, namely Cloke, Reid and maybe Elliott. The young Giants backline may very well be able to hold it’s own against what will be a makeshift Collingwood forward line. One interesting aspect is James Stewart, who actually qualified to be a Pies father/son choice but Collingwood’s recruiters decided to pass on him, so he will be wanting to prove them wrong on Saturday.

The GWS midfield has improved this season with the addition of Shane Mumford as the primary ruck. Mumford bought leadership, experience, talent and strength to a central grouping that was lacking in all areas. The problem now is it is one area of the ground where the Giants have been hit hard by injury. Missing this week will be Whitfield, Scully, Ward and Coniglio, arguably their best four midfielders. Once again though they face off against a Collingwood midfield that has been hit hard by injury too. No Beams or Adams and the inability of Swan and Ball to play significant midfield time really will hurt the Magpies in the middle this weekend. If Mumford can give his young midfielders first use of the ball they may be able to get on top of the young Pies in this crucial area.

If they are all fit, which of course they aren’t this week, the Giants forward line is scary for even the best defenses, let alone one with several players missing like the Pies backline. But with two absolute young guns, Patton and Cameron now missing for the rest of the year the GWS forward line isn’t as intimidating as it was, although it still might pose a problem for the Pies. The two key forwards this weekend are likely to be Giles and last year’s number one pick, Tom Boyd. Boyd is a monster of a kid and moves better than anyone his size in the game really, so this might be his breakout senior game. Collingwood of course will be without Brown, Maxwell, Toovey and maybe Lumumba down back which once again just about evens the score on the injury front.

The Giants have been decimated by injuries but they will look at the Pies side that will be selected and smile just a little, knowing their opposition is gettable this weekend. GWS will have gained a tonne of confidence out of their win at the MCG last week and will be wanting to continue that form into this game. They will still field some of the best young talent in the AFL and with several experienced players still around to provide leadership it’s not beyond possibility that the Giants may win two games in a row for the firs time in their history.

 

TIP

How do your provide a definitive tip to a game where as many as 30 first choice players may be missing from both sides? It’s almost beyond a joke for both clubs now and it’s fitting that off the back of their worst games injury wise these two face off. GWS have the home field advantage and there’s little doubt this is where they play their best football so that gives them a chance for sure.

The inclusion of Pies captain and champion Scott Pendlebury may well be the difference here though, he is just that good.

I expect Collingwood to respond well after a poor performance last week and sneak home in a close game.

MAGPIES BY 9 POINTS.

 

VFL

After securing a finals spot with an 8 goal last quarter down at Geelong last week, the VFL Magpies head to Bendigo on Friday night for their final home and away game of the season. The game starts at 6.30pm at Queen Elizabeth Oval in Bendigo.

Pre match Discussion Thread  on the BB – Round 22 – Collingwood vs GWS Giants - All comments

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