One of the most exciting rivalries in the AFL at the moment will get another instalment on Saturday afternoon as the Magpies host the Eagles from 4.15pm at the MCG! PuntingInDanger has you covered with a full preview and betting tips for the clash below.
AFL Collingwood vs West Coast Betting Tips
MCG, Saturday 4.15pm (AEST)
The Eagles have new life in the 2021 season, having won their last two games to consolidate a place in the top eight. They will need to keep winning to hold onto that place though, starting Saturday with a trip to the MCG to take on the Pies.
Match Preview
It’s been a tough year for the Magpies and it was another disappointing loss on the weekend as they went down to the Power by 27 points. They have now lost four of their last five games, with new coach Robert Harvey still stranded on just one win early in his career.
Some positive signs from Collingwood this week though as Jeremy Howe has finally been listed as available to re-join the team after recovering from injuries that have seen him side-lined since all the way back in Round 5. Unfortunately, the return will be off-set by the loss of skipper Scott Pendlebury, who went down with a fractured leg against the Power and will be out for the remainder of the season.
The Eagles were impressive in the win over the Saints on the weekend and seemed to have finally recaptured a bit of that elusive form after back-to-back wins. They are still absolutely ravaged by injuries, with the likes of Luke Shuey, Liam Ryan, Tom Barrass and Brendan Ah Chee still out with injury, however, Jack Petruccelle and Jack Redden should come back into the line-up this week.
If the Eagles played like they did against the Saints last week, they should have no problem conquering the Pies in front of no fans at the MCG. They seem to have turned a bit of a corner, and although some players are still out with injury, their forward line trio of Darling, Kennedy and Allen are all fit and firing and a fit Jeremy McGovern makes a massive difference to their structure.
Given the Pies form of late, I’m surprised this line as opened at just 7.5 points in favour of the Eagles. I expected it to be at least 15 points, so I'm very comfortable taking the Eagles to win this one and cover the line. They have so much more to play for and will be wanting to get more revenge on the Pies after the heart-breaking elimination final loss at Optus Stadium last season.
West Coast -7.5 (2 Units)
$1.90
Same Game Multi
Taylor Adams racked up 24 touches in the first three quarters of the game against the POwer before going out with injury. Since his return to the line-up in Round 15, the midfielder has racked up 29.0 touches per game.
Shannon Hurn continues to rack up touches off half back and the bookies continue to give decent odds for 20+, so we’ll keep taking it. Has missed the mark just once this season, back in Round 4 when he was injured early in the game.
Josh Kennedy has found some goal kicking form over the last few games, booting two goals against the Roos before a 3-goal game against the Saints. In two games against the Pies last season, he booted a combined 10 goals.
Adams 25+ Disp.
Hurn 20+ Disp.
Kennedy 2+ Goals
COLL vs WC Same Game Multi
$2.70