Collingwood hosts Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium in a top of the ladder clash between two in-form teams ready to put on a show. Will the Magpie juggernaut continue into a fourth consecutive victory or will the Power claim the scalp of their second 2018 Grand Finalist in three weeks.
Last Five Meetings
| 2018 | Rd 22 | Coll | 17. 13 (115) | PA | 10. 4 (64) | MCG | 46,286 |
| 2017 | Rd 21 | PA | 14. 14 (98) | Coll | 10. 11 (71) | AO | 37,533 |
| 2017 | Rd 14 | PA | 13. 15 (93) | Coll | 9. 8 (62) | MCG | 35,933 |
| 2016 | Rd 11 | PA | 19. 11 (125) | Coll | 7. 16 (58) | MCG | 28,567 |
| 2015 | Rd 15 | PA | 9. 12 (66) | Coll | 9. 9 (63) | AO | 44,946 |
Collingwood won the last match between the two sides in 2018 to end a four-game Port Adelaide winning streak. The South Australians have won six of the last eight but have not played Collingwood at Marvel Stadium since 2012, a game they lost by 14 points.
Five reasons to watch
Prison Bar Brouhaha.
For no apparent reason, after all the agreements the AFL has negotiated themselves out of, Collingwood still has a say in whether Port Adelaide is able to wear their traditional jumper in commemorative games. With Port Adelaide’s 150th-year celebrations planned for next, this issue has again come to the fore with news that Collingwood will effectively decide whether the Prison Bar jumper can come out for the celebrations. While it’s unlikely to be mentioned in either coach’s pre-game address it adds a level of spice to the contest.
Grundy v Ryder and Lycett
The Pinch Hitters are unabashed Brodie Grundy fans, so much so that we named him first ruck in our All-Australian team last year, which means we have noted with great interest his good form this season. It makes for an intriguing contest against Port Adelaide’s twin towers of Paddy Ryder and Scott Lycett. Will Grundy be able to continue on his merry way or will the Power’s deadly duo give their team the edge?
Milestone Man.
Former Power skipper Travis Boak will register game number 250 when he runs out against the Magpies at Marvel Stadium. In his 13th AFL season, the 30-year old is in the form of his life. After 38-touches against the Kangaroos last week he is sixth in the AFLCA Player of the Year award and is recording career-high figures in a number of statistical categories.
Ben Reid.
While the veteran may not be the first name you think of when considering players to watch in Collingwood games, his return to senior footy is worth acknowledgment. Out of the team since Round 10 last year, his resilience has been tested watching on as his teammates went agonisingly close to the flag last season followed by a strong start to 2019. While it may have been an injury to Mason Cox that ultimately gave him his opportunity, this was only possible due to his own commitment and perseverance.
Best Friday Night game this year?
It will be the best Friday night game this season if David King’s opinion is anything to go by. Which makes it a win-win situation, it will either be a cracker or another reason to make fun of the former Kangaroo’s predictive capabilities.
The Verdict
As much as we prefer not to agree with David King, this has all the makings of an entertaining contest. Away from home against a team in good form, this looms as a big opportunity for the Power to announce itself to the competition as a genuine contender. After falling across the line against the Bombers on Anzac Day, the Pies have the chance to reassert themselves as one of the competition’s elite. With either team a genuine chance, the raucous home crowd might prove decisive.
Collingwood will win by 16 points.
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