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MATCH PREVIEW

Collingwood vs Essendon: Match Preview - Johnson#26

Team for Friday Night:
B: Johnson, Clement, Maxwell.
HB: Cole, J.Cloke, Burns.
C: Woewodin, Buckley, Holland.
HF: King, Tarrant, O’Bree.
F: Davis, Walker, Fraser.
R: McKee, Licuria, Didak.
INTER: Lonie, Lockyer, Lokan, R.Shaw.
EMERG: Crow, McGough, Swan.

IN: Didak, J.Cloke
OUT: Crow, Rowe

The Friday night blockbuster between Collingwood and Essendon is crunch time for both sides and their finals aspirations. They both simply must win, if they are to play any part in the 2004 finals series. Essendon’s case has been severely damaged, with injury clouds hanging over star forwards Matthew Lloyd and James Hird, who have both been Collingwood’s tormentors in recent years. Collingwood welcome back youngsters Jason Cloke and Alan Didak, for the must win clash.

In defence, the return of Jason Cloke is a much welcomed one, as the Pies have been severely undermanned, without Cloke, Prestigiacomo and Wakelin. Although a cloud hovers over James Clement’s broken jaw, the Pies defence should be too strong for the Bomber attack. Lloyd is the obvious Magpie concern. He is the ultimate package, being fast on the lead, strong and a good mark. Clement will go to him first, with Cloke next in line if Lloyd breaks free. James Hird, despite his injured ribs, is always a concern. Coach Mick Malthouse stated during the week that Nick Maxwell and Richard Cole will both get tagging jobs on him. Expect to see Maxwell go to him first, as he is the right height and speed and has good agility. Another dangerous Bomber is utility Mark Bolton. Bolton has played in a variety of positions over his career, and is expected to play up forward. If he does, Jason Cloke will get first crack at him, in what will be a good battle between the two former Eastern Rangers.

In the middle of the ground, an exciting battle looms. Collingwood skipper Nathan Buckley missed out on his chance to face the old enemy back on ANZAC Day, and will be out to remind the Dons of how good he is. Damian Peverill will get the tagging job on Buckley, as he is quick and aggressive and will win his own ball. Two tough nuts, Scott Burns and Mark Johnson will be facing each other, in a battle of two of the best in the business. Paul Licuria and former Blue Justin Murphy will face off on the wing while Shane Woewodin will go up against Jason Johnson. Another interesting match up will be the one between Alan Didak and Mark McVeigh. Didak is returning from a broken jaw, but has been thrown straight into the deep end by coach Mick Malthouse and will play in the midfield. McVeigh has spent most of his season in defence, and is now graduating to the midfield. In the ruck, Steven McKee will face off against David Hille. Hille has been good in recent weeks, and runs forward at every opportunity. Malthouse will be aware of that, sending Tristan Walker down there to quell his influence.

Up forward, Collingwood was bolstered by the return of star centre half forward Chris Tarrant and will again be the main forward target. He will be followed everywhere by Essendon veteran Dustin Fletcher, who has had some interesting duels with Tarrant in the recent past. Tarrant’s job will be made easier by Josh Fraser and Tristan Walker, who have been good in recent weeks. Fraser will be covered by Bomber star Scott Lucas, while Dean Solomon, who has been in great form for Essendon all season, will get first crack at Walker. At ground level, Leon Davis was electrifying last week in what was his best match of his career. Kevin Sheedy will be well aware of his danger, and will place Adam Rammanouskis on him. Rammanouskis has had an average season by his standards, and will look to make is night a good one. Essendon’s Adam McPhee and Andrew Welsh have had excellent seasons in defence, running off their men and making the play. Both will have to be watched very carefully by the Pies, with David King and Brodie Holland to be given the task. Both King and Holland could reap the rewards of the two Dons playing loose, with a few goals of their own.

In a final prediction, Collingwood should be too strong and quick for the Bombers. With Buckley and Tarrant firing, there is no way Collingwood will let it slip.

FINAL PREDICTION: COLLINGWOOD BY 15 POINTS.

		MATCH REPORT
		2004 - Round 20
	MATCH PREVIEW Collingwood vs Essendon: Match Preview - Johnson#26 Team for Friday Night: B: Johnson, Clement, Maxwell. HB: Cole, J.Cloke, Burns. C: Woewodin, Buckley, Holland. HF: King, Tarrant, O’Bree. F: Davis, Walker, Fraser. R: McKee, Licuria, Didak. INTER: Lonie, Lockyer, Lokan, R.Shaw. EMERG: Crow, McGough, Swan. IN: Didak, J.Cloke OUT: Crow, Rowe The Friday night blockbuster between Collingwood and Essendon is crunch time for both sides and their finals aspirations. They both simply must win, if they are to play any part in the 2004 finals series. Essendon’s case has been severely damaged, with injury clouds hanging over star forwards Matthew Lloyd and James Hird, who have both been Collingwood’s tormentors in recent years. Collingwood welcome back youngsters Jason Cloke and Alan Didak, for the must win clash. In defence, the return of Jason Cloke is a much welcomed one, as the Pies have been severely undermanned, without Cloke, Prestigiacomo and Wakelin. Although a cloud hovers over James Clement’s broken jaw, the Pies defence should be too strong for the Bomber attack. Lloyd is the obvious Magpie concern. He is the ultimate package, being fast on the lead, strong and a good mark. Clement will go to him first, with Cloke next in line if Lloyd breaks free. James Hird, despite his injured ribs, is always a concern. Coach Mick Malthouse stated during the week that Nick Maxwell and Richard Cole will both get tagging jobs on him. Expect to see Maxwell go to him first, as he is the right height and speed and has good agility. Another dangerous Bomber is utility Mark Bolton. Bolton has played in a variety of positions over his career, and is expected to play up forward. If he does, Jason Cloke will get first crack at him, in what will be a good battle between the two former Eastern Rangers. In the middle of the ground, an exciting battle looms. Collingwood skipper Nathan Buckley missed out on his chance to face the old enemy back on ANZAC Day, and will be out to remind the Dons of how good he is. Damian Peverill will get the tagging job on Buckley, as he is quick and aggressive and will win his own ball. Two tough nuts, Scott Burns and Mark Johnson will be facing each other, in a battle of two of the best in the business. Paul Licuria and former Blue Justin Murphy will face off on the wing while Shane Woewodin will go up against Jason Johnson. Another interesting match up will be the one between Alan Didak and Mark McVeigh. Didak is returning from a broken jaw, but has been thrown straight into the deep end by coach Mick Malthouse and will play in the midfield. McVeigh has spent most of his season in defence, and is now graduating to the midfield. In the ruck, Steven McKee will face off against David Hille. Hille has been good in recent weeks, and runs forward at every opportunity. Malthouse will be aware of that, sending Tristan Walker down there to quell his influence. Up forward, Collingwood was bolstered by the return of star centre half forward Chris Tarrant and will again be the main forward target. He will be followed everywhere by Essendon veteran Dustin Fletcher, who has had some interesting duels with Tarrant in the recent past. Tarrant’s job will be made easier by Josh Fraser and Tristan Walker, who have been good in recent weeks. Fraser will be covered by Bomber star Scott Lucas, while Dean Solomon, who has been in great form for Essendon all season, will get first crack at Walker. At ground level, Leon Davis was electrifying last week in what was his best match of his career. Kevin Sheedy will be well aware of his danger, and will place Adam Rammanouskis on him. Rammanouskis has had an average season by his standards, and will look to make is night a good one. Essendon’s Adam McPhee and Andrew Welsh have had excellent seasons in defence, running off their men and making the play. Both will have to be watched very carefully by the Pies, with David King and Brodie Holland to be given the task. Both King and Holland could reap the rewards of the two Dons playing loose, with a few goals of their own. In a final prediction, Collingwood should be too strong and quick for the Bombers. With Buckley and Tarrant firing, there is no way Collingwood will let it slip. FINAL PREDICTION: COLLINGWOOD BY 15 POINTS. <<<-BACK