MATCH PREVIEW
Collingwood vs Fremantle: Match Preview - Johnson#26
Team vs
Fremantle:
B: Johnson, Clement, Lockyer.
HB: Lonie, Crow, R.Shaw.
C: Woewodin, Buckley, Cole.
HF: Rowe, Walker, King.
F: Fraser, Tarrant, Davis.
R: McKee, Burns, Licuria.
INTER: Holland, Lokan, O’Bree, Maxwell.
EMERG: Swan, Shackleton, Williams.
IN: Crow
(New), Tarrant.
OUT: J.Cloke (thigh), Shackleton.
After playing itself into a good patch of form over the past few weeks, Collingwood now has a chance to knock of the Fremantle Dockers, and put a large dint in their finals aspirations. It won’t be easy, as Subiaco Oval has become a happy hunting ground for the Dockers over the past few seasons. But with the return of Tarrant, Collingwood now has a more dangerous look to it. If Tarrant and Fraser fire, Collingwood should win, but the main talking point of the night will be the Pies ability to keep star Docker Matthew Pavlich out of the action.
In defence, Collingwood welcomes a new addition, in 21 year old Justin Crow. Crow has been on the Magpies’ rookie list for three years, and now gets his opportunity in defence. Crow will man up on Docker tall Troy Simmonds, who has become more of a forward then a ruckman in 2004. Matthew Pavlich will be followed by All-Australian candidate James Clement, who is the perfect size for the star Docker. Clement is quick and strong and would be able to give run out of defence when required. Justin Longmuir is something of an enigma for Freo, as he can kill the opposition in two minutes, or he can go missing for an entire game. His unpredictability alone is a good reason for him to be watched. Nick Maxwell has impressed all season with his courage under fire and will be asked to be Longmuir’s shadow. Fremantle’s small forwards have caused the opposition headaches for a few seasons now, with Paul Medhurst and fiery Jeff Farmer, both causes of concern for Collingwood. Medhurst has been great in his three year stint at Dockerland, and will be followed by Richard Cole while Farmer will be watched closely by the inform Ben Johnson.
In the middle is where an exciting battle looms. Names such as Nathan Buckley and Peter Bell, Scott Burns and Paul Haselby and Paul Licuria and Troy Cook will all have a say on the evening’s proceedings. Buckley will be tagged by former Geelong Falcon Andrew Siegert, who has shown some good form in recent weeks. Burns and Cook will go head-to-head while Haselby will be watched by Brodie Holland. Bell, the Fremantle captain, has had an excellent season and just cannot be forgotten about. He is hard to match up on, as he slips under the packs and can lose his taggers in traffic. Paul Licuria is the man for the job, as he has many tagging credits to his name, such as Josh Francou and Brent Harvey. Steve McKee and Josh Fraser will go up against the tallest player in the AFL in Aaron Sandilands and Troy Simmonds. It will be interesting to watch how Fremantle cover Fraser when he runs forward, as he is a slippery customer.
In the forward line, Collingwood welcome the return of star forward Chris Tarrant, who has been riddled by injury all season. Tarrant, All-Australian in 2003, will be matched up on by Docker Robert Haddrill, who has been in great form for the Dockers. Shane Parker will match up on big Tristan Walker while Sandilands will look to follow Fraser when he runs forward. At ground level, Leon Davis and David King were dangerous last week, and will be watched closely by the Dockers. James Walker, the relative of Collingwood legend Gordon Coventry will follow these two around, making life hell for the two goalsneeks.
In the wash up, many predict Fremantle to be too strong for the Pies. However, with Buckley firing and Tarrant dangerous up forward, Collingwood may defeat Freo in a boilover.
FINAL PREDICTION: COLLINGWOOD BY 2 POINTS.