SUMMARY
The Swans dropped from fourth to ninth after losing a fourth game from their past five last week, and their season looks in danger of slipping away if they can't reverse their worrying form. A return to the SCG would usually be comforting for John Longmire's men but they've lost nine of 21 games at the venue over the past two seasons, and the Magpies got them in Sydney last year. Collingwood's horror run with injury continued last week but with ruckman Brodie Grundy in All Australian contention and onballers Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom and Taylor Adams in top form, their midfield is still formidable. Scoring has been a problem for the Swans recently and with superstar Lance Franklin carrying some injuries, the likes of Tom Papley, Will Hayward and Ben Ronke will need to step up at ground level. This game has massive implications with the Pies under pressure to maintain their spot in the top four, and Sydney battling to stay in finals contention.
WHERE AND WHEN: SCG, Saturday, August 4, 7.25pm
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
R3, 2017, Collingwood 11.14 (80) d Sydney Swans 11.13 (79) at the SCG
R1, 2016, Sydney Swans 18.25 (133) d Collingwood 7.11 (53) at the SCG
R20, 2015, Sydney Swans 13.9 (87) d Collingwood 10.16 (76) at the SCG
R2, 2014, Collingwood 12.17 (89) d Sydney Swans 10.9 (69) at ANZ Stadium
R20, 2013, Collingwood 14.16 (100) d Sydney Swans 10.11 (71) at ANZ Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Magpies led at each change when the sides last played in 2017 and held off the Swans in the final quarter. Taylor Adams was best on ground with 31 disposals and 11 tackles.
2. Collingwood is the number one disposal team this season averaging 406.6 per game, and the highest ranked uncontested possession team with an average of 259.2.
3. Nothing separates the sides recently with three wins each since 2013; two of the last three have been decided by less than two goals.
4. The teams have played 20 times previously at the SCG with Sydney winning 13 games to seven, including seven of the last nine.
5. The Swans have now lost four of their last five matches since round 15 and they’re scoring has dropped to 72 points per game while conceding an average of 91 against.
6. Magpies ruckman Brodie Grundy continues his surge in the AFL Player Ratings, with the big man now ranked sixth in the competition, after starting the season 41st.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR…
Sydney ruckman Callum Sinclair has shouldered the load admirably this season and faces the massive task of taking on Pies star Brodie Grundy. The battle for midfield control will be a huge factor on Saturday night.
AFL.com.au PREDICTION: Sydney by five points
