We highlight the big matches in the lead up to Round 6 of the 2014 AFL home and away season
In what will be the 20th time these two clubs have gone head to head on ANZAC Day, Collingwood settle in as heavy favourites after winning two on the trot. The Pies have made no change to the side that trounced the in-form Kangaroos last weekend and prolonged Essendon injuries will mean the Magpies’ lack of height shouldn’t present a weakness.
Out for Essendon are Jetta, Hocking (soreness) and Myers (hammie) while Brendan Goddard is still struggling with an abductor injury that has sidelined him since Round 4. Coming off tough losses to the Dockers and Saints, the Dons will have to contend with the star-studded Collingwood midfield of Beams, Pendlebury and Swan; who have combined for 163 touches and five goals over the two-game win streak.
The Dockers host the up and down Kangaroos at Patersons on ANZAC Day as both clubs are looking to bounce back from questionable defeats.
After overcoming a humiliating Round 3 pumping from Hawthorn with a strong win against the Dons at home, Fremantle dropped the bundle in Sydney last weekend despite the return of future Brownlow Medallist Nat Fyfe from suspension. Losses to likely top four rivals never bodes well, especially after the Dockers’ trademark defence was outworked by Sydney’s pressure (102 tackles at the SCG to 66).
Emerging small forward Michael Walters is done for the season and the Freo attack will be another short(er) after Hayden Ballantyne was given a week on the sidelines for some off the ball antics against Rhyce Shaw. Big Taberner has been given the chop, the two replaced by youngsters Sheridan and Crozier.
Scott Thompson’s hit on Travis Cloke will see the star defender miss a week while Wells has a foot complaint and Currie and Jacobs have been sent to the seconds. Replacing them will be the return of Jack Ziebell and two excitement machines in Majak Daw and Robin Nahas.
A new top of the table clash will see the 4-1 Power host the 5-0 Cats at Adelaide Oval on Sunday in a contest between the top two attacking sides in the competition.
Both clubs are ranked 1 & 2 for inside 50s (Geelong 285 to Port’s 282), but the Power are out to prove they can be contenders come September.
“We are very keen to prove that we are a good team,’’ Hamish Hartlett told News Ltd earlier this week.
“We want to be a side that everyone respects immensely. We want teams to think that when they play against us they are going to be have a very, very tough day at the office.’’
Geelong, winners of the past 10 against the Port, have lost Andrew Mackie to the hamstring injury that saw him initially subbed from the 75-point drumming v West Coast in Round 4. Among the guys vying for his spot in Steven Motlop, nearing his AFL return. Port have Jack Hombsch, Jake Neade and Benjamin Newton are all in line for a spot in the team.
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