FOOTY IS BACK! Round 1 gets underway this Thursday night with Richmond facing off against Carlton at the MCG! Friday night offers another massive clash between the Collingwood Magpies and the Geelong Cats, also at the MCG, and it's that game that we'll be focusing on today as we continue our Round 1 betting tips.
We'll be focusing on this Friday's game between the Pies and Cats in this article, but if you want previews and tips for the rest of the Round 1 action, make sure you head to our AFL Tips Page.
AFL Round 1Collingwood vs Geelong Betting Tips
Friday 22nd March, 7.50pm (AEDT), MCG
A high profile clash involving an abundance of star power will take place at the MCG on Friday night as the 2018 runners up, the Collingwood Magpies, host the Geelong Cats from 7.50pm Both teams are slated to be contenders in 2019 and both will be looking to get their campaings off to a strong start against quality opposition!
Collingwood
After the heartbreaking loss to the 2018 season which saw them lose the Grand Final by just five points to the West Coast Eagles, the Pies have reloaded in 2019, adding some key pieces and look primed to make another real run at the Premiership this season. The Pies held a 29 point advantage at one stage of the Grand Final but ultimately couldn't capatalise as the Eagles stormed home to win their fourth premiership.
The Pies have made some major additions without having to let go of much in the 2019 off-season. They welcome back star midfielder Dayne Beams to the club after a four year stint at the Brisbane Lions, adding to what is already arguably the best midfield in the league. Beams will run alongside skipper Scott Pendlebury, Adam Trelor, Taylor Adams, Tom Phillips and the runner up in the 2018 Brownlow Medal, Steele Sidebottom.
The Pies also addressed their biggest concern from last season, which was key defenders, by adding former Western Bulldogs player Jordan Roughead. Roughead will be able to play on the opposition's best key forward and also pinch hit in the ruck, allowing Brodie Grundy to spend time forward.
Up forward, the Pies will be damaging. Jordan De Goey had a breakout year in 2018 and should be one of the most dominant medium forwards in the competition. Big man Mason Cox had a coming out party in the finals and should continue to improve while the young guns in Will Hoskin-Elliot and Jaidyn Stephenson will bring speed, athleticism and enthusiasm. The Pies were probably missing one extra piece in their forward line last year and they should get that back this season as Jamie Elliot looks set to come back into the fold.
Geelong
Geelong finished 8th on the AFL ladder last season and were bounced by Melbourne in the first round of the finals. With a much easier schedule this year and plenty of star talent in their line-up, they should have their eyes on the top four finish in 2019.
The Cats made some major moves to get more speedy and more athletic up forward. Luke Dalhaus joins as an unrestricted free agent from the Western Bulldogs and should create a dynamic sall forward presence alongside Gary Ablett at the feet of the evergreen Tom Hawkins.
The Cats also added Gary Rohan from the Swans through a trade. While Rohan has had injury concerns over the years, he adds valuable outside run to compliment the hard nosed midfielders that Geelong posses in Joel Selwood, Patty Dangerfield and Mitch Duncan.
Geelong's defence was arguably the best in the competition this year and they should continue to be a force in 2019 with one more pre-season as a group. Mark Blicavs will resume a career defining role across centre-half back while Tom Stewart earned All-Australian honours for his performance in 2018.
History
2018 Round 8 - Collingwood (5.15.45) lost to Geelong (9.12.66)
2017 Round 22 - Collingwood (9.5.59) lost to Geelong (10.10.70)
2017 Round 6 - Geelong (11.12.78) lost to Collingwood (15.17.107)
2016 Round 9 - Collingwood (16.8.104) defeated Geelong (11.14.80)
2015 Round 22 - Geelong (9.8.62) lost to Collingwood (17.8.110)
Prediction
Interestingly, the away side has won six of the last seven games between these two teams and Geelong has come up trumps in their last two meetings. Many have written off Geelong as serious contenders in 2019 already and while they might not be up to the level of the Richmond caliber teams, on their night they are as good as anyoen and they have one of the easiest schedules in the league this season.
The Pies will be fired up after the Grand Final loss and should be playing in front of a packed MCG crowd who will be 90% Magpies fans. Extremely tough game to call here, especially without having seen either side at full strength throughout the pre-season. We love the value of the Cats here, who have become accustomed to playing at the MCG over the last few years and should be near full strength. Collingwood on the other hand will be without Adams, Hoskin-Elliot and possibly Jordan De Goey.
