After a promising start to the 2022 AFL season, Hawthorn have fallen away, dropping them back in the pack.
Meanwhile, Collingwood have taken two huge scalps in consecutive weeks, setting them up for a top eight push.
With high stakes for both teams, this promises to be an entertaining spectacle between two huge Victorian clubs.
Before the match, be sure to check out our full preview and betting tips below.
Remember, Before You Bet will be previewing every game of the 2022 AFL season, so be sure to check out our AFL Tips page for regular updates.
Hawthorn vs Collingwood Betting Tips
MCG, Sunday 5th June, 2.10pm (AEST)
Hawthorn
Injuries: Jack Scrimshaw (out), Emerson Jeka, Max Lynch, Tyler Brockman, Ben McEvoy, Tom Phillips, Josh Ward
Hawthorn are in a relatively good place in terms of injuries, only severely lacking in their ruck stocks.
The Hawks showed plenty of promise early in the season, playing with flair and conviction. It has been tougher for Hawthorn in the last month or so though, the proud club managing just one win in that time. However, that victory was against a premiership contender in the Lions. The makings of a good team are there at Hawthorn, their backline is still very dynamic, while Mitch Lewis and Jack Gunston provide strong focal points up forward. The one worry that will start to creep in now is how the young Hawks will deal with the long slog that is an AFL season.
Collingwood
Injuries: Charlie Dean, Brodie Grundy, Ash Johnson, Will Kelly, Nathan Kreuger, Jack Madgen, Tom Wilson
Darcy Cameron has stepped up big time in the absence of Brodie Grundy, who will return for the last few rounds of the season.
Wow, what a fortnight Collingwood have had. The Magpies backed up a comprehensive away victory over the Dockers with a heart stopping win over archrivals Carlton, setting up the rest of their season. The wins are even more impressive considering Collingwood have been hugely undersized down back all year and are missing their frontline All-Australian ruckman Brodie Grundy. Like the Hawks, the youth have been outstanding for the Pies, Josh Daicos, Jack Ginnivan and Oliver Henry leading the way.
Match Prediction
Gunston and O’Meara are big ins for the Hawks, who will be desperate to turnaround their form after a down period.
The high-flying Pies go in unchanged, which is also good sign for them.
The Hawks have won two of the last three clashes between these sides, and I think their tall forwards might trouble the small Collingwood backline.
However, Collingwood’s smalls will provide an equal challenge at the other end.
I expect this game to be tight, but Collingwood should have too much class when it counts.
Collingwood 1-39
$2.00 (2 Units)
Prop Bets
De Goey has had a mixed bag season so far but should come out firing on Sunday. Hawthorn gives away plenty of ball to midfielders and De Goey has a great record against them.
Jordan De Goey 25+ disposals ($2.25 at TAB)
JK won’t have to spend as much time in the ruck this week with the return of Ned Reeves and he is likely to get a favourable matchup down forward. Has kicked 2 or more goals four times this season.
Jacob Koschitzke 2+ goals ($2.90 at TAB)
