After two wins to open the season, the Bulldogs came back to earth with a thud with a loss to the Suns last week. Collingwood was also brought back to reality in the Grand Final rematch falling to the Eagles by 22 points. Who will get the points in this big Friday Night Football clash for two teams looking to get back on the winners list.
Last Five Meetings
| 2018 | Rd 10 | Coll | 13. 12 (90) | WB | 8. 7 (55) | ES | 37,985 |
| 2017 | Rd 1 | WB | 15. 10 (100) | Coll | 12. 14 (86) | MCG | 66,254 |
| 2016 | Rd 21 | WB | 14. 11 (95) | Coll | 14. 8 (92) | ES | 35,010 |
| 2016 | Rd 10 | WB | 11. 8 (74) | Coll | 7. 11 (53) | MCG | 45,078 |
| 2015 | Rd 17 | WB | 15. 14 (104) | Coll | 13. 8 (86) | ES | 40,581 |
Collingwood won the last encounter between the two teams to end a five-game winning streak by the Bulldogs. The Sons of the West hold a slight edge in MCG encounters winning three of the last five.
Five reasons to watch
Old dog new tricks.
Bulldogs Premiership player Jordan Roughead will come up against his old team for the first time on Friday night. Having become stale at the kennel in 2018, he was thrown a lifeline by Collingwood in the off-season trade period and has looked right at home in defence for the Magpies. Likely to pick up one of the doggies young guns he is sure to have his hands full in his first showdown with his old team mates.
Scott Pendlebury v Jack Macrae
Both members of the initial All-Australian squad of 40 in 2018, Jack Macrae and Scott Pendlebury are unquestionably among the competition’s elite. While they might not technically go head to head with each other, the result of the match could hinge on which of the two prolific ball winners has a bigger impact on this contest
The Bulldogs.
If watching the Western Bulldogs strut their stuff in prime time is how you like to spend your Friday nights, you better make the most of this match because it is the only chance you’ll get in 2019. Even if it isn’t, bright Friday night MCG lights provide the perfect backdrop for teams determined to prove the AFL and their schedule wrong. Expect the Bulldogs to give the best possible account for themselves in their one chance
Chris Mayne.
Who’d have thought Chris Mayne’s recruitment by Collingwood would provide anything other than depth for their VFL team? Well done if you did, because Mayne Magpies move has proven a genuine success story. Having made the most of his recall to the team in Round Six last year after a 12-month absence, the former Docker has become an invaluable member of the Collingwood team. His determination will be rewarded this week when he runs out for his 200th game.
Aaron Naughton.
The 18-year-old looks an exciting prospect for the Bulldogs. After spending much of his time in defence in 2018, with three goals in round one and nine marks in round three, he has shown genuine promise in the forward line this year. He is not the finished article yet but watching this budding star continue to find his way at the highest level is a genuine reason to sit down in front of the box this Friday.
The Verdict
It’s hard to get a genuine form line on these teams given the results so far in 2019. The Pies looked a million bucks against the Tigers a fortnight ago, a little less impressive against the Eagles last week. What do we make of the Bulldogs result against the Suns after a bright start in Rounds One and Two? If it goes differently it might be time to reassess but Collingwood appear a little stronger on paper and we will back them in on past results for one more week
Collingwood will win by 25 points.
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