In the latest edition of Opposition Watch, Swans Media looks at the Collingwood camp ahead of Thursday evening’s clash at the Gabba. 

Recent form

Collingwood currently sit 10^th on the AFL ladder and will be looking atone for consecutive losses on the road against West Coast and Fremantle during their hub stay in Perth. Last week, the Pies suffered a shock two goal loss to Fremantle at Optus Stadium. 

Ins and outs

During his weekly press conference Nathan Buckley spoke to the challenges of managing the list during this current period contracted matches.

Coming off a four-day break and travel across the country, Buckley indicated decisions would be made at the selection table to ensure the freshest available 22 would take the field.

That is likely to see Jordan Roughead return to the team to bolster the Pies defence, while Tim Broomhead is another who the coach indicated was on the cusp of senior selection.

Scott Pendlebury has been ruled out and will not return for Thursday night’s match.

Key match-up

After serving a suspension for a Covid protocol breach, Steele Sidebottom returned to the team to face Fremantle and made immediate impact, picking up 25 disposals and booting two goals. Without Scott Pendlebury, Sidebottom will be the Pies prime mover in the midfield and go to target of Brodie Grundy’s ruck work.

The reigning All-Australian ruckman was the difference last time the Pies met the Swans. In a tight game, Grundy’s 64 hit outs saw him earn three-Brownlow votes. His battle with Callum Sinclair will be crucial.

Last time they met

Round 10, 2019 @ SCG

Sydney Swans 11.7 (73) def. by Collingwood 11.14 (80)

It was tough, seesawing battle on a Friday night at the SCG in front of 36,000 fans.

The Swans got off to a fast start with Sam Reid booting two first quarter goals, but were pegged back by the Pies in the second quarter thanks in part to some Daniel Wells brilliance.

Collingwood led by nine points at the main break, but the Swans hit back in the third term through Sam Reid who kicked his sixth goal for the game to give the Swans an eight-point advantage at three-quarter time.

A four goal to one final term sealed a thrilling win for the Pies.

Brodie Grundy was instrumental in the ruck and well supported by Pies captain Scott Pendlebury, while Sam Reid’s bag of six goals was a standout for the Swans.

What they said

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley

“Our last couple of games, we just haven’t seen enough of the brand we pride ourselves on. We just haven’t be able to play Collingwood footy; so we sort of lost ourselves a little bit on the field.  That has been our major focus and we really look forward to the opportunity to work towards getting that back against the Swans.”

“I suppose one of the benefits of these short turnarounds is we get to get back to work really quickly, so there is a little less analysis and a little more action.”