The Pies will travel west to Optus Stadium on Friday night to take on the Eagles in a replay of the thrilling elimination final last season. As usual, PuntingInDanger has you covered with his full preview and betting tips for the clash below!
AFL West Coast vs Collingwood Betting Tips
Optus Stadium, Friday April 16th 8.10pm (AEST)
The Pies are in turmoil at the moment after losing to the Giants on the weekend and now have a tough test to travel to Perth to take on the Eagles. West Coast will be looking to bounce back from one of the more embarrassing losses of the season to the Saints in Round 4.
Match Prediction
Many Pies fans are calling for coach Nathan Buckley to ‘play the kids’ ahead of their clash with the Eagles after a rough start to the season has all but obliterated their chances of playing finals. If they can just get through this week with their pride intact though, Collingwood have a decent chance to fight back with really winnable games against Essendon, Gold Coast and North Melbourne over the next three weeks.
The Eagles led the Saints by 33 points half-way through the third quarter at Marvel Stadium in Round 4. They looked on their way to a comfortable win until the Saints flicked a switch and went on a 54-1 run to close out the game and walk away 20 point winners. They will be grateful to get back to the fortress that is Optus Stadium, where they have lost just one of their last 11 games.
That loss did come at the hands of the Collingwood Magpies in a thrilling elimination final last season. In fact, the Pies have had a decent record at Optus Stadium, having claimed victory in two of their last three trips there dating back to 2019.
The Pies are incredibly settled on the injury list and they’ll be without only Taylor Adams and Jamie Elliot from their potential best 22 on Friday night. The Eagles will be missing Shannon Hurn, who injured his calf against the Saints and joins star midfielders Luke Shuey and Elliot Yeo on the sidelines.
Taking on the Eagles at Optus on the back of a tough loss is not an ideal scenario for the Pies. West Coast will be out to prove a point on Friday night after many have questioned their desire post the loss to the Saints. Back them to cover this 22.5 line in a game that could get ugly for Collingwood.
West Coast -22.5 (2 Units)
$1.90
Eagles Prop
In his last seven games against Collingwood with full length quarters, Andrew Gaff averages 33.85 disposals. He had a quiet game against the Saints on the weekend, racking up just 21 touches but that came on the back of a monster 36 disposal effort at home against Port. Back him to have 30+ here.
Magpies Prop
Jack Crisp has been solid in the accumulation game this season, racking up 23, 36, 21 and 30 through his four games so far this year. He’ll be needed in the midfield even more so this Friday night with Taylor Adams going out with a knee injury. Back Crisp to have 30+ here.
