SUMMARY
After a bright first half of the season, Gold Coast has hit a roadblock with four straight losses. The SUNS have been competitive in each defeat, but are struggling to make the most of their chances going forward. They come up against a Collingwood outfit just starting to hit its stride. With the return of Dayne Beams last week, the Magpies looked irresistible in the midfield against Adelaide, with Beams, Scott Pendlebury, Dane Swan and Luke Ball running riot. Watch for exciting young SUNS Dion Prestia and Jaeger O'Meara to run with these players and make them accountable the other way. Collingwood needs to win to keep its top-four chances alive, and should do so.
WHERE AND WHEN: Metricon Stadium, Saturday July 20, 4.40pm
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide and odds
LAST TWO TIMES
R10, 2012: Collingwood 23.11 (149) d Gold Coast 7.10 (52) at the MCG
R18, 2011: Collingwood 19.15 (129) d Gold Coast 11.9 (75) at Metricon Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Gold Coast and Collingwood last met in round 10 last season, and despite Gary Ablett racking up a record 53 disposals, the Magpies were comfortable 97-point victors.
2. This will be the second time the teams have met at Metricon Stadium. Their first clash was in round 18, 2011, and with Mick Malthouse still in charge, Collingwood won by 54 points.
3. For Gold Coast to win, they will have to defy history – Collingwood is undefeated in six trips to Metricon Stadium, formerly Carrara.
4. Collingwood has been strong in its forward half this season, ranked second for marks inside 50 (14.3 per game). Gold Coast is ranked 14th with 10.4 per game.
5. Collingwood’s ball winners are prolific, and are ranked second for average disposals (380) compared to Gold Coast's ninth (357). The Magpies are also the AFL's highest-ranked team for uncontested possessions.
6. Three of the top seven players in the league will be on the field on Saturday. Ablett is ranked a clear number one in the Official AFL Player Ratings, while Pendlebury (fifth) and Swan (seventh) both rose following outstanding performances against the Crows last week.
