Key match-ups

Defence

James Gwilt on Darcy Moore

Michael Hartley on Mason Cox

Mark Baguley on Alex Fasolo

Midfield

Levi Greenwood on David Zaharakis

Forward

Jack Frost on Joe Daniher

Nathan Brown on Mitch Brown

Ben Reid on Sam Grimley

The Bombers have gone for height up forward with Joe Daniher, Mitch Brown and Sam Grimley all starting in the front half.

Collingwood dominated early, with 70 per cent of game time throughout the first nine minutes spent in the Magpies attacking half.  This translated into the Pies kicking thee goals in that period.

In the first 14 minutes of the match, Essendon had eight turnovers in the defensive half.  Collingwood also registered eight of the first ten inside 50’s.

The Pies kicked five goals from Essendon turnovers in the first term, to hold a 45 point advantage at quarter time. 

Collingwood kicked the first two goals of the second term, before Mitch Brown capped off some good build-up work to kick the Bombers second.

Essendon edged Collingwood (7-6) in the inside 50 count in the first 15 minutes of the second term, but the Pies were more efficient kicking four goals to one in that time.

James Kelly (15), David Zaharakis (14) and Orazio Fantasia (14) are finding the ball, but at the major break the Bombers are down by 76 points.