Saturday afternoon football kicks off at the MCG with the red hot Pies hosting Port Adelaide from 1:10pm! Can Collingwood make it ten wins in a row? Or will the Power put an end to their two game losing streak?
Jack Tobin has you covered with his preview for this clash, and the Before You Bet team's AFL Tips page has you covered for previews on every game of the 2022 AFL season.
Collingwood vs Port Adelaide Betting Tips
MCG, Saturday 30th July, 1:45pm (AEST)
Collingwood
Injuries: Charlie Dean, Harvey Harrison, Nathan Kreuger, Jack Madgen, Brayden Maynard, Reef McInnes, Tom Wilson
It’s positive news on the selection front with Jordan De Goey back from injury, to bolster the Pies forward line. Brodie Grundy is expected to play VFL, but Collingwood haven’t ruled him out of playing in the senior side if Mason Cox doesn’t recover from an illness which has prevented him from training this week. Brayden Maynard has been cleared of any serious injury to his shoulder, but looks unlikely to take on Port Adelaide off a six day break.
Collingwood’s remarkable run of clutch victories continued in Round 19 with a stunning after the siren victory over Essendon. It was the Magpies ninth consecutive win, and took them to 8-1 this season in games decided by under 12 points. Despite having the lowest percentage of any team inside the top eight, Collingwood sits fourth on the ladder in what has been a remarkable turnaround by Craig McRae in his first season as coach.
Collingwood haven’t been a great clearance side this season, but their ability to pressure and keep the ball in their front half has been the key to their success this season. The Pies rank second in the AFL for tackles, and coming up against Port Adelaide side that ranks fourth in the AFL for kicks, the Pies pressure game will be a key factor in how this game plays out.
Port Adelaide
Injuries: Dan Houston, Scott Lycett, Jake Pasini
Dan Houston was subbed out with concussion against Geelong so the Power will be forced into at least one change, with last week’s medi-sub Riley Bonner and Lachie Jones firming as the potential replacements. Orazio Fantasia looks set to play his first AFL game since the 2021 Preliminary Final after a strong performance in the SANFL last weekend.
The Power have missed opportunities in the past fortnight to be right in the hunt for a finals berth. Port Adelaide have suffered 12 and 14 point losses to Geelong and Melbourne in the last two weeks, but were the better side for the majority of both games. Had the Power won both games, they would be equal on points with eighth place. Port currently sit two games and percentage outside of the eight, and need a miracle to qualify for finals.
Port Adelaide’s biggest issue this season has been their inability to score. The Power rank 14th in points per game (averaging 73 points per game) and haven’t scored above 100 points in their last nine games. Port have only scored above 100 points twice this season, with those scores coming against the bottom two teams in the league in West Coast and North Melbourne.
Match Prediction
Collingwood just keep finding a way to win, and it’s near impossible to go against them. With wins against Fremantle, Carlton and Melbourne in their current streak - the Pies are the real deal. They’ve done a good job taking care of business in 2022, with a 10-2 record against teams outside of the eight this season.
Twelve of Collingwood’s thirteen wins this season have been between 1-39 points, and this market provides excellent value for the Pies. Port Adelaide are 0-2 at the MCG this season and with their finals aspirations being dashed in the last two weeks with heartbreaking losses, it’s tough to see the Power finding to get up in this clash. The Pies will continue their remarkable season and extend their winning streak to ten games.
Collingwood 1-39
$2.15 (3 Units)
Prop Bets
Josh Daicos is having an excellent season on the wing for Collingwood, and has found a way to hit the scoreboard over the last month. Daicos has five goals from his last four games including a stunning goal of the year contender last week. Daicos has been in outstanding form, having 27 score involvements in his last five games.
Josh Daicos Anytime Goalscorer, ($1.77 with Ladbrokes)
By his lofty standards Nick Daicos had a quiet performance against the Bombers, but he’d put together a remarkble six week patch leading into Round 19. Daicos averaged 32 disposals per game across those six weeks, and it’s difficult to see him being kept quiet for two games in a row.
Nick Daicos 30+ Disposals, ($1.80 with Ladbrokes)
After being picked up in the mid season draft in 2021, Ash Johnson has had an excellent start two his AFL career with two goal and three goal performances in his first two games. With Johnson being the third tall, he will get a lesser opponent each week and has created plenty of goal scoring opportunities in his first two games.
Ash Johnson 2+ Goals, ($2.10 with Ladbrokes)
