Round eight preview: Fremantle v Collingwood

LAST TIME: Collingwood 26.13 (169) d Fremantle 13.7 (85), Round 13, 2009 at the MCG.

RECENT HISTORY: Collingwood has won three of its past four matches against Fremantle but all of those wins came at the MCG.

FORM: Fremantle has begun the season with six wins from seven matches - the most recent of which was a maiden victory over Brisbane at the Gabba last Saturday night. The final margin should have been considerably greater than 13 points but the Dockers were incredibly wasteful in front of goal, booting 23 behinds. Collingwood’s attacking prowess has been on display in recent times with the Magpies recording scores of 120 points or more in their four-game winning streak. The Pies are the other side in the competition with a 6-1 record - their best start to a season since 1993. They are on top of the AFL ladder thanks to a percentage of 146.39.

MEDICAL ROOM: Fremantle welcomes back midfielder Garrick Ibbotson and promising young defender Alex Silvagni from ankle injuries but youngster Dylan Robertson (soreness) will miss. Veteran Des Headland (knee) is eight weeks away from resuming. For Collingwood, small forward Paul Medhurst will miss the clash against his old side due to a foot injury. Ruckman Josh Fraser (knee) and Brad Dick (shoulder) are out for at least another week while Sean Rusling (calf - one to two weeks), John McCarthy (hamstring - two to three weeks) and Anthony Corrie (knee - three to four weeks) are also on the sidelines.

KEY MATCH-UPS: Harry O’Brien vs. Matthew Pavlich

Pavlich has been instrumental in Fremantle’s stellar start to the season, averaging 20 possessions and booting 27 goals to lead the Coleman Medal race.

O’Brien looms as a likely candidate to match-up on the Dockers skipper as he has the tank to go with him when he is in the middle and also the ability to match him in the air when he is up forward.

Fremantle is a side that likes to attack through the corridor.

The Magpies will need to force them wide with relentless tackling pressure otherwise Pavlich will receive enough quality supply to have an influence on the outcome of the contest.

Ryan Crowley vs. Dane Swan

The last time these two sides met in round 13 last year Swan was damaging with a game-high 41 possessions, including eight inside 50’s.

The 26-year-old is currently in red-hot form having averaged 29.4 disposals in seven appearances and will need to be contained if the Dockers are going to restrict Collingwood’s multi-pronged attack.

Crowley is Fremantle’s number one midfield stopper and will be given the task of matching up on Swan in what will be a pivotal duel.

It is vital for the Dockers that Crowley is switched on defensively all night otherwise Swan will hurt them with his ability to win the football at the stoppages and set up scoring opportunities for his teammates with his clean use of the football.

Dale Thomas vs. Stephen Hill

Hill played a major role in the win over the Lions, racking up a team-high 32 disposals and delivering the football inside 50 on nine occasions.

The exciting 20-year-old is ranked sixth in the competition for inside 50’s per game with an average of 5.4.

Shutting down Hill will be a key for the Magpies if they are going to deny Fremantle’s forwards of quality ball.

Thomas - who is in career-best form having averaged 23.6 touches and a goal per game so far in 2010 - has the pace to go with Hill and will most likely match-up on the young Docker.

The Pies will need Thomas to push forward at every available opportunity and be a contributor on the scoreboard as it will force Hill to be accountable which in turn will help limit his impact on the contest as a line-breaking midfielder who uses the football well.

Chris Tarrant vs. John Anthony

Anthony is in the Collingwood side for the first time since round two and will be keen to impress.

The 22-year-old performed well in the clash against Fremantle last year, booting four goals.

However, replicating that performance won’t be an easy task as he will be coming up against Tarrant who is arguably in All-Australian form having conceded just seven goals in six matches.

Anthony will need to get his hands on the football and convert early as he is very much a confidence player.

VERDICT: Fremantle has won its past seven matches at Subiaco Oval but they are coming off a six-day break after the longest trip in AFL football. In what promises to be a high-intensity contest from the outset, expect Collingwood to finish the stronger of the two sides. Magpies by 19 points.

FREMANTLE v COLLINGWOOD
FREMANTLE
B: Garrick Ibbotson, Chris Tarrant, Ryan Crowley
HB: Greg Broughton, Luke McPharlin, Roger Hayden
C: Adam McPhee, David Mundy, Paul Hasleby
HF: Michael Johnson, Matthew Pavlich, Stephen Hill
F: Matthew de Boer, Chris Mayne, Hayden Ballantyne
Foll: Aaron Sandilands, Michael Barlow, Paul Duffield
I/C: Nathan Fyfe, Rhys Palmer, Anthony Morabito, Alex Silvagni
Emg: Kepler Bradley, Nick Suban, Antoni Grover

In: Garrick Ibbotson, Alex Silvagni
Out: Kepler Bradley, Dylan Roberton (soreness)

COLLINGWOOD
B: Heath Shaw, Ben Reid, Ben Johnson
HB: Harry O’Brien, Nick Maxwell, Alan Toovey
C: Luke Ball, Dane Swan, Steele Sidebottom
HF: Shane O’Bree, Travis Cloke, Alan Didak
F: Dayne Beams, John Anthony, Leon Davis
Foll: Darren Jolly, Scott Pendlebury, Dale Thomas
I/C: Nathan Brown, Chris Dawes, Brent Macaffer, Cameron Wood
Emg: Tarkyn Lockyer, Simon Prestigiacomo, Jaxson Barham

In: John Anthony
Out: Paul Medhurst (foot strain)

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