Match Preview: Round 1: Collingwood v Port Adelaide

I watched the Grand Final Replay last night before I went to bed. I figured I needed to watch it one more time before I turned all my focus onto the 2011 season. After watching the game, I fell asleep very satisfied with life and slept very soundly. However, I wake up this morning with my full attention on Round 1. I have taken my Collingwood cap off and switch back to full analysis mode. Apologies to opposition readers for the biased start to the year, however you have to forgive me a little as I haven’t seen my team win a flag in 20 years (and I was only 4 when they won the last one).

My first complete Match Preview for the year focuses on the Saturday afternoon matchup at Etihad stadium between Collingwood and Port Adelaide. Collingwood enters the game overwhelming favourites with Port paying around $9 for the win. This comes off the back of an undefeated pre-season which saw the Pies win their first night premiership since 1979. However, from a Port Adelaide point of view, they would also be quite satisfied with their pre-season form having won their last 3 practice matches against Richmond, Geelong and GWS. They were all convincing victories as well.


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(This link will take you the an external site called thebigtip.com.au where the full article is published)

Season Previews: Adel/Bris/Carl/Coll

The 2011 premiership seasons shapes up to be a beauty. Collingwood enters the season as overwhelming favourites, however it must be remembered that back to back premiership are very rarely achieved. Even ‘invincible’ sides like the Bombers of 2000 and the recent Geelong team were unable to achieve back-to-back titles.

The Magpies are clearly the team to beat and seem to be playing on a different level to their opponents at the moment. However, the rest of the field seems incredibly even.

The biggest question will be whether a side can emerge from the pack and challenge the Magpies… much the way Collingwood emerged in 2010 to overtake Geelong and St. Kilda.

Could it be a Carlton, Hawthorn or Western Bulldogs? Or is there still life in the legs of the Cats and the Saints? Or will it be a surprise packet like an Adelaide who turn a poor 2010 season around to return to the top of the ladder?

This article will take a brief look at each side and what shape they are entering the 2011 season in. It will also highlight players who have had terrific pre-seasons, as well as players who look set for ‘break-out’ years.

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Ben Johnson - Survivor

From the 22 Collingwood players who took to the field in the Grand Final Replay, only 2 remained from the 02/03 Grand Final defeats. This in itself is a story and a secret behind the Magpies all conquering season. Malthouse sent in a young side, with no comprehension of a ‘collywobble’, no history of failure and completely no fear.

Alan Didak was one of those 2 players who managed to survive from the previous Grand Final failures. Didak is a star, and a player whose number appears on the back of so many young football fans.

Surprisingly, the other surviving member is Ben Johnson. Over the years, fans on football forums have continually questioned his place in the side and his name has seemingly been on the chopping block for many a season now.

NAB Cup Grand Final Preview - Collingwood v Essendon

You would be forgiven for forgetting there was actually a Grand Final this week. Between Ricky Nixon’s return to Australia, an interview with a 17 year old girl, the soap opera which is Brendon Fevola and Nick Maxwell’s ribs, the hype surrounding this year’s NAB Cup Grand Final has been non-existent. Yes it is only the pre-season competition, but it is also a clash between 2 of the biggest rivals in the AFL with a capacity crowd anticipated for Friday night’s game. Reigning premiers Collingwood face a revived Essendon at Etihad Stadium at 7:45pm this Friday night.

Brock Mclean: The Luke Ball of 2011??

When Carlton elected to trade its pick 11 for Brock Mclean in the 2009 Trade Week, many football critics raised their eyebrows at what they believed was a high price for a footballer who has never reached his full potential. After a year on the Carlton list, many of these critics would feel vindicated after Mclean only managed 6 games during the 2010 season.

On the surface, Mclean has many limitations as a player. Foot-speed, injuries and the tendency to go missing in games are the obvious deficiencies. He will be 25 heading into the 2011 season, so it would be an easy assumption to make that his major development as a player is already behind him.

 However, looking deeper into Carlton’s list, it’s easy to understand why they were so keen to obtain his services. You need not look any further than the reigning premiers Collingwood and the value they gained from Luke Ball.


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