Few would have had these two teams in the finals equation before the 2022 AFL season, however here we are, with Gold Coast on the way up and Collingwood flying.
For the Suns, this is a must win encounter, and for the visitors, a victory will have them firmly cemented in the top eight with just over a handful of rounds remaining.
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.
Gold Coast vs Collingwood Betting Tips
Metricon Stadium, Saturday 2nd July, 7.25pm (AEST)
Gold Coast
Injuries: Alex Davies (out), Joel Jeffrey, Ben King, Jack Lukosius, Wil Powell, Bodhi Uwland, Lachie Weller
Small defender Connor Budarick returns this weekend after a short injury absence, however key players Ben King, Jack Lukosius, Wil Powell and Lachie Weller are still sidelined.
Last week’s two-point loss to Port Adelaide was a crushing blow for Gold Coast, who had established an impressive winning streak to that point. As a result, every game now holds huge weight if the Suns want to play September football. Gold Coast will relish returning to their home turf for this game, and although recent wins have been notable, they have not come against the highest calibre of opposition. Tall forwards Levi Casboult and Mabior Chol will be pivotal to the Suns fortunes during the back end of the season, as will the tight midfield core of Touk Miller, Noah Anderson, Matt Rowell and Jarrod Witts.
Collingwood
Injuries: Jeremy Howe (out), Brodie Grundy, Nathan Kreuger, Reef McInnes, Tom Wilson
Collingwood boast a very short injury list at this point in time, and All Australian ruckman Brodie Grundy is on track for a return in time for finals.
It’s now five wins in a row for the Magpies, and their confidence on the field is obvious. Collingwood have taken some big scalps throughout the streak, accounting for Carlton, Fremantle and Melbourne to now sit seventh on the table (as of Friday morning). One of the keys to Collingwood’s resurgence has been their renewed attacking mindset. The Pies have managed 20+ scoring shots in all their recent wins, generating quicker ball movement to aid their livewire forwards. Those forwards – Jack Ginnivan, Oliver Henry, Brody Mihocek, Jamie Elliot and co. have all benefited from improved service, so the Suns will surely look to focus on making this a tight tussle around the ball.
Match Prediction
Gold Coast will enter this clash as favourites, and it’s hard to see why.
Not only have the Pies been in red hot form against strong opposition, but they have also only lost once to the Suns since 2015.
Just a couple of months ago, Collingwood took the chocolates by 25 points at the MCG against the Suns, and the latter side has been hit by key injuries since then.
Understandably, the stakes are high for both teams in this clash, so there’s no reason for the Victorian visitors to take their foot off the gas up at Metricon.
That being said, I do see the hosts going close in this one as the momentum swings, so I expect the lead to change hands between quarters.
W2W - Any Other Result
$1.95 (2 Units)
Prop Bets
Collingwood have struggled to contain opposition midfielders in recent weeks, and Anderson is a mainstay of the Suns rotation. He has hit 30+ disposals three times this season and had 32 last time out against the Magpies.
Noah Anderson 30+ disposals ($2.85 at Ladbrokes)
Mihocek has been the focal point of Collingwood’s forward line this year, booting 28 goals in 13 matches at an average of over two per game. The experienced campaigner has great history against the Suns and kicked four against them earlier this year.
Brody Mihocek 2+ goals ($1.85 at Ladbrokes)
