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Where: Melbourne Cricket Ground
When: Saturday August 16 – 10.40am (BST)
Watch live: Click here to watch online with AFL Global Pass!
Having lost five of its past seven matches, Collingwood run the risk of missing its first finals series since 2005 and are coming off the back of a heavy defeat to the Eagles in Perth last week.
The Lions also come off a big loss, going down by 105-points to a rampant Crows outfit at Adelaide Oval.
If Collingwood lose this, there will be serious questions over Nathan Buckley’s future at the Lexus Centre.
Injuries haven’t helped the Magpies, but they welcome back star man Dane Swan for the clash and his presence alone will surely boost the confidence of his teammates.
Brisbane are fighting to avoid the wooden spoon, but they have shown they can match it with top eight sides at times. If Justin Leppitsch’s side can put in a four-quarter performance they’ll give the Magpies issues.
If Collingwood are serious about playing finals however, they have to win this one comfortably.
Match facts:
1. Neither team has been able to score heavily in recent weeks. Since round 13, Collingwood’s average points per game is just 76, while the Lions’ average is only 67.
2. The Lions are the worst contested ball side in 2014, averaging 126.2 contested possessions per game. Collingwood is ranked 10th with an average of 136.6.
3. The Lions have a poor recent record at the MCG. They have lost their last three games at the home of footy and seven of their last eight. Their only win since 2010 at the MCG was in the opening round of the 2012 season when they beat Melbourne.
4. No team has kicked the ball less in 2014 than the Lions, who are ranked 18th at an average of 190.3 kicks per game. Collingwood is ranked 12th with an average of 205.2 kicks per game.
5. High-leaping Magpies forward Jamie Elliott has kicked three goals in his past three games. In his first 14 games this season he kicked 30.
6. Youngster Jack Crisp kicked three of the Lions’ nine goals against the Crows last weekend. The performance equated to a career-high score of 21.8 in the Official AFL Player Ratings.
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