Essendon vs Collingwood

Tuesday April 25

MCG

3:20pm

It's the most anticipated home and away match each year and the 2017 ANZAC Day clash between Essendon and Collingwood is set to be played in front of another big crowd at the MCG.

It's only round five but this match carries significant weight.

The Bombers will be looking for their first win since round two, while the Pies have only one win from the opening four rounds.

You can read Robert Shaw's match preview here.

The Weather:

Rain tending to showers, with a top of 19.

Recent meetings:

R5, 2016, Collingwood 22.10 (142) d Essendon 11.7 (73) at the MCG
R23, 2015, Essendon 14.11 (95) d Collingwood 14.8 (92) at the MCG
R4, 2015, Collingwood 9.15 (69) d Essendon 6.13 (49) at the MCG
R17, 2014, Essendon 16.7 (103) d Collingwood 5.9 (39) at the MCG
R6, 2014, Collingwood 12.11 (83) d Essendon 8.12 (60) at the MCG

Teams:

Essendon

In: Ben McNiece, Aaron Francis

Out: Kyle Langford, Conor McKenna (suspended)

New: Ben McNiece (Essendon VFL)

B: Patrick Ambrose, Michael Hurley, Brendon Goddard

HB: Mark Baguley, Mitch Brown, Zach Merrett

C: Andrew McGrath, Jobe Watson, Darcy Parish

HF: Orazio Fantasia, Cale Hooker, Travis Colyer

F: Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Joe Daniher, Ben McNiece

R: Matthew Leuenberger, David Zaharakis, Dyson Heppell

I: Brent Stanton, Aaron Francis, Josh Green, James Kelly

E: James Stewart, Craig Bird, Heath Hocking

Collingwood

In: Daniel Wells, Mason Cox, Tom Phillips

Out: Jesse White, Josh Smith, Jarryd Blair

B: Jeremy Howe, Henry Schade, Tyson Goldsack

HB: Jackson Ramsay, Ben Reid, Brayden Maynard

C: Steele Sidebottom, Scott Pendlebury, Daniel Wells

HF: Travis Varcoe, Darcy Moore, Will Hoskin-Elliott

F: Alex Fasolo, Mason Cox, Jamie Elliott

R: Brodie Grundy, Adam Treloar, Taylor Adams

I: Levi Greenwood, Tom Phillips, Jack Crisp, Tim Broomhead

E: Matthew Scharenberg, Josh Daicos, Josh Smith

Scott Lucas' key points 

Embrace the day

"For many of them [players] it will be the biggest game they've played in ... just embrace it, it's not a normal game - so don't try and keep it normal."  

Pressure

"Forward pressure to really force turnovers out of the back half which has been an issue for Collingwood.  Also Collingwood has had a good number of entries but haven't been able to convert, so pressure the ball and the kicker."

Speed through the midfield

"Not only does that prevent opposition ball movement because you're able to defend the exit points ... it also allows you to put more pressure on the ball carrier."

The clearances

"Collingwood's clearance work has been outstanding this year.  Brodie Grundy has been significant in that, he's been in career best form.  Matthew Leuenberger has a huge role and the support he gets from Joe Daniher is going to be critical."

Cale Hooker

"Expect Cale Hooker to have a big day.  He's had his games now to get back in the groove and I expect him to have a big game on Tuesday."

Key match-ups

Bombers v Sidebottom: In his last six matches against the Bombers Steele Sidebottom averages 29 disposals.  He's also kicked nine goals in this time.

Leuenberger v Grundy: Collingwood is ranked fourth for clearances, while the Bombers sit 13th.  If the Bombers can break even out of the midfield, they'll be happy to back their forward line in to kick a winning score.

Dons small forwards v Pies defenders: John Worsfold has called for a lift in the Dons defensive pressure and the side's brigade of small forwards are the team's first line of defence.  If Orazio Fantasia, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and Josh Green can put the Pies defenders under the pump, the Bombers will be able to create turnovers higher up the field.