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MATCH PREVIEW

Collingwood vs Carlton: Match Preview - Johnson#26

Actual Named Team

B: Johnson, Walker, J.Cloke
HB: Cole, Clement, R.Shaw
C: Woewodin, Buckley, Lockyer
HF: Burns, Tarrant, Williams
F: Davis, Lonie, Licuria
FOLL: Fraser, Holland, O'Bree
I/C: Didak, McGough, Rowe
EMG:McKee, Lokan, King

IN: Swan
OUT: King

Round 22. The last game of the AFL season for both Collingwood and Carlton – and both sides are no longer part of the finals race – but will both be hell bent on finishing the season on a high note.

The Magpies have had a disappointing season, where after two Grand Finals in a row have dropped to 13th position, and are in for a major overhaul in the coming weeks. Carlton however, has had a terrific season by their recent standards, and will want to make the Pies season just that bit worse. But the Magpies should have the skill, and the passion to defeat the resurgent Blues. With Buckley and Tarrant firing, there is no way the Maggies could possibly lose.

The defence has been perhaps Collingwood’s strong point all season, with players such as James Clement, Ben Johnson and Richard Cole along with Jason Cloke all holding firm in the absence of Simon Prestigiacomo and Shane Wakelin. Tonight, infact is Johnson’s 100th game in AFL football.

Johnson has been a life long Magpie supporter and has been a key to the side all season. But the big question looms – who will get the starting job on Brendan Fevola?

The star Carlton full forward has made the best of defenders look silly this season and will look to finish it off with a bang against the Pies. Jason Cloke is tipped to get the first crack at him, as he has the strength to go with him and will also win the ball loose across half back. The main problem with Cloke is his lack of leg speed against Fevola, who is very fast over the first 10 metres.

Lance Whitnall is another Blue who will be followed closely. When in form, big Lance is almost unstoppable, but in recent season he has been dogged by injury and poor form and will be looking for a strong finish against his arch rival Collingwood. Clement will get first go at him, as he has the strength and pace to go with him and can run off him when required.

Jarred Waite has had a strong season in the forward fifty and Coach Malthouse will have him targeted. He is expected to line up on either 100 gamer Johnson or the tough nut Richard Cole. The luxury of having both players is that while one can tag the other can play as a dashing defender.

In the middle of the ground, both sides go head-to-head in what will be an exciting encounter. Magpies skipper Nathan Buckley, who injured his hamstring last time the two sides met will face off against Blues tagger Jordan Bannister, who has had a strong season as a tagger and roaming midfielder since crossing from Essendon.

Bannister plays tight all day, and Buckley certainly won’t win any easy kicks. But ‘Bucks’ has too much class and skill to be dragged down by Bannister, and if he spends a whole night in the middle he should be pencilled in for the usual 20 or more touches.

Scott Camporearle has had a solid season for the Blues, and has sprung to prominance in recent weeks. He has had a long battle with Pies tagger Brodie Holland, and last time they met, Holland was rubbed out for a total of four weeks by the AFL tribunal for a ‘love tap’ to Camporearle’s head.

Nick Stevens gathered 35 possessions for the Blues last week against the Demons and will be cut down to size by the heart and soul of the Magpie unit, Paul Licuria. Licuria has had a fine season, but has tapered off in recent weeks and may return to his old tagging role.

Injury riddled Blues skipper Anthony Koudafiedies has just returned to form for the Blues, and may find himself playing in the middle of the ground. If he heads there, expect to see Scott Burns attempt to shut him down, as has the ability to run with ‘Kouda’. Former Pie Heath Scotland has had a good season – his first at the Blues. He commands respect, and will go head-to-head with Shane Woewodin.

In the ruck, Carlton’s Barnaby French, who has had a fine season when not injured, will face off with Josh Fraser and his supporting partner Tristan Walker. Fraser battled manfully as always last week with little support against the Power and may have to shoulder the work once more.

The forward end of the ground for the Pies sees an inexperienced and small forward line, with only superstar Chris Tarrant the only real big name. Tarrant, who ahs had an indifferent season due to injury and suspension, will be matched up by Bret Thornton, who has many scalps to his name, including Barry Hall, Matthew Lloyd and Drew Petrie.

Thornton has good pace but won’t be able to match it with Tarrant in the air. Ryan Lonie has had a solid couple of weeks up forward, including his three goal haul against the Power last week. Lonie is a slippery customer, who has good pace and is a strong mark. He will find himself being followed by Matthew Lappin, who is in All-Australian form at the moment.

Leon Davis has resurrected his career at Collingwood in the latter stages of the season and will again be on show. Expect to see first year star Andrew Walker get the tough assignment early on. Alan Didak has had a solid if unspectacular season at Collingwood, and will look to end it on a high on Friday. David Teague, who has had an excellent season for the Blues, will get the first crack at him.

In the wash up, if Buckley and Burns are played in the middle and Tarrant leads up the ground, the Magpies should win comfortably. However, Fevola looms tall and dangerous for the Blues, and if he fires, the Blues will take home the four points. However, the Pies should have too many slick smaller players to out class the Blues.

FINAL PREDICTION: COLLINGWOOD BY 12 POINTS

		MATCH REPORT
		2004 - Round 22
	MATCH PREVIEW Collingwood vs Carlton: Match Preview - Johnson#26 Actual Named Team B: Johnson, Walker, J.Cloke HB: Cole, Clement, R.Shaw C: Woewodin, Buckley, Lockyer HF: Burns, Tarrant, Williams F: Davis, Lonie, Licuria FOLL: Fraser, Holland, O'Bree I/C: Didak, McGough, Rowe EMG:McKee, Lokan, King IN: Swan OUT: King Round 22. The last game of the AFL season for both Collingwood and Carlton – and both sides are no longer part of the finals race – but will both be hell bent on finishing the season on a high note. The Magpies have had a disappointing season, where after two Grand Finals in a row have dropped to 13th position, and are in for a major overhaul in the coming weeks. Carlton however, has had a terrific season by their recent standards, and will want to make the Pies season just that bit worse. But the Magpies should have the skill, and the passion to defeat the resurgent Blues. With Buckley and Tarrant firing, there is no way the Maggies could possibly lose. The defence has been perhaps Collingwood’s strong point all season, with players such as James Clement, Ben Johnson and Richard Cole along with Jason Cloke all holding firm in the absence of Simon Prestigiacomo and Shane Wakelin. Tonight, infact is Johnson’s 100th game in AFL football. Johnson has been a life long Magpie supporter and has been a key to the side all season. But the big question looms – who will get the starting job on Brendan Fevola? The star Carlton full forward has made the best of defenders look silly this season and will look to finish it off with a bang against the Pies. Jason Cloke is tipped to get the first crack at him, as he has the strength to go with him and will also win the ball loose across half back. The main problem with Cloke is his lack of leg speed against Fevola, who is very fast over the first 10 metres. Lance Whitnall is another Blue who will be followed closely. When in form, big Lance is almost unstoppable, but in recent season he has been dogged by injury and poor form and will be looking for a strong finish against his arch rival Collingwood. Clement will get first go at him, as he has the strength and pace to go with him and can run off him when required. Jarred Waite has had a strong season in the forward fifty and Coach Malthouse will have him targeted. He is expected to line up on either 100 gamer Johnson or the tough nut Richard Cole. The luxury of having both players is that while one can tag the other can play as a dashing defender. In the middle of the ground, both sides go head-to-head in what will be an exciting encounter. Magpies skipper Nathan Buckley, who injured his hamstring last time the two sides met will face off against Blues tagger Jordan Bannister, who has had a strong season as a tagger and roaming midfielder since crossing from Essendon. Bannister plays tight all day, and Buckley certainly won’t win any easy kicks. But ‘Bucks’ has too much class and skill to be dragged down by Bannister, and if he spends a whole night in the middle he should be pencilled in for the usual 20 or more touches. Scott Camporearle has had a solid season for the Blues, and has sprung to prominance in recent weeks. He has had a long battle with Pies tagger Brodie Holland, and last time they met, Holland was rubbed out for a total of four weeks by the AFL tribunal for a ‘love tap’ to Camporearle’s head. Nick Stevens gathered 35 possessions for the Blues last week against the Demons and will be cut down to size by the heart and soul of the Magpie unit, Paul Licuria. Licuria has had a fine season, but has tapered off in recent weeks and may return to his old tagging role. Injury riddled Blues skipper Anthony Koudafiedies has just returned to form for the Blues, and may find himself playing in the middle of the ground. If he heads there, expect to see Scott Burns attempt to shut him down, as has the ability to run with ‘Kouda’. Former Pie Heath Scotland has had a good season – his first at the Blues. He commands respect, and will go head-to-head with Shane Woewodin. In the ruck, Carlton’s Barnaby French, who has had a fine season when not injured, will face off with Josh Fraser and his supporting partner Tristan Walker. Fraser battled manfully as always last week with little support against the Power and may have to shoulder the work once more. The forward end of the ground for the Pies sees an inexperienced and small forward line, with only superstar Chris Tarrant the only real big name. Tarrant, who ahs had an indifferent season due to injury and suspension, will be matched up by Bret Thornton, who has many scalps to his name, including Barry Hall, Matthew Lloyd and Drew Petrie. Thornton has good pace but won’t be able to match it with Tarrant in the air. Ryan Lonie has had a solid couple of weeks up forward, including his three goal haul against the Power last week. Lonie is a slippery customer, who has good pace and is a strong mark. He will find himself being followed by Matthew Lappin, who is in All-Australian form at the moment. Leon Davis has resurrected his career at Collingwood in the latter stages of the season and will again be on show. Expect to see first year star Andrew Walker get the tough assignment early on. Alan Didak has had a solid if unspectacular season at Collingwood, and will look to end it on a high on Friday. David Teague, who has had an excellent season for the Blues, will get the first crack at him. In the wash up, if Buckley and Burns are played in the middle and Tarrant leads up the ground, the Magpies should win comfortably. However, Fevola looms tall and dangerous for the Blues, and if he fires, the Blues will take home the four points. However, the Pies should have too many slick smaller players to out class the Blues. FINAL PREDICTION: COLLINGWOOD BY 12 POINTS <<<-BACK