Collingwood will enter this 2022 AFL season clash brimming with confidence after prevailing on ANZAC Day in an exciting encounter.
Gold Coast, on the other hand, will have to get over the disappointing of another Q Clash failure against the Lions.
There will be nowhere for the Suns to hide on the wide expanses of the MCG, so will they be up for the fight on Sunday?
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.
Collingwood vs Gold Coast Betting Tips
MCG, Sunday 1st April, 1.10pm (AEST)
Collingwood
Injuries: Brodie Grundy (out), Jamie Elliott, Charlie Dean, Nathan Kreuger (out), Nathan Murphy, Jordan Roughead, Trey Ruscoe
Talk about big outs… Collingwood has lost one of the premier ruckman in the competition in Brodie Grundy for an extended period to a knee injury.
Collingwood sit just inside the top eight with an even 3-3 record, which is probably a fair representation of their season. Consistency has not always been there, but when the Pies turn it on they are entertaining to watch, far more so than in recent years. New recruits Nick Daicos and Pat Lipinski have been at the forefront of Collingwood’s push towards faster paced football, while the move of Scott Pendlebury to half back has been a masterstroke. The MCG is a valuable home advantage in this upcoming clash with Gold Coast, who have limited experience at the ground.
Gold Coast
Injuries: Joel Jeffrey, Ben King, Bodhi Uwland, Josh Corbett (out), Wil Powell (out)
The Suns regain Jack Lukosius this week, leaving them with a relatively clean bill of health aside from the significant absence of Ben King.
The blowtorch is back on Gold Coast after a couple of losses, which have left them 2-4 after six rounds. While their position is not ideal, the Suns have been more competitive on the whole this season and are certainly developing, even if it is indeed a slow build. The continuity in Matt Rowell’s game as been heartening, as has the return of Jarrod Witts, and Noah Anderson is having a career best year. A game against a big club at the MCG is an important test for the Suns, who need to show that they can thrive outside of their comfort zone this week.
Match Prediction
Gold Coast prevailed in the last clash between these two teams at the MCG, defeating the Pies by 24 points. That will give them confidence, as will the fact that they have already tamed a Victorian powerhouse in season 2022.
Collingwood won’t mind though, as they are a new team this season under the guidance of Craig McRae. The Pies will have a raucous home crowd on their side and should be too strong, even though they are missing some tall timber.
All in all, I can see this being a tight contest, so the Gold Coast line does appeal. That said, I’ll take Collingwood 1-39.
Collingwood 1-39
$2.00 (2 Units)
Prop Bets
De Goey has spent less time forward this season playing mostly as a midfielder, but he still has the ability to kick a bag of goals as shown in his four-goal haul against Brisbane. With Kreuger out the Pies might search for a reliable aerial target, so JDG might be the man to swing forward.
Jordan De Goey 2+ goals ($2.05 at TAB)
Anderson has hit 25 disposals in four games out of six so far this season, and is in the form of his life. As a hard running midfielder, the MCG should suit his game and Collingwood are unlikely to pay much attention to him.
Noah Anderson 25+ disposals ($1.90 at TAB)
Casboult has kicked three goals twice this year and will be coming up against an undersized Collingwood backline at a ground he knows well.
Levi Casboult 3+ goals ($3.00 at TAB)
