The second game on Sunday for AFL Round 17 is between Essendon Bombers and Collingwood Magpies. The opening bounce is set to commence at 3:20 PM with the game to be played at MCG. The favourite for the match is away team Collingwood Magpies. View our preview and teams for the game between Essendon Bombers and Collingwood Magpies.
Round: Round 17 , July 13, 2014, 3:20 PM
Stadium: MCG
Weather: 13° Morning shower or two.
Featured Bookmakers:
Tips: Collingwood to win 1-39 at $2.15 with Sportsbet + get a $250 FREE BET on the match
Preview:
THIS has all of a sudden become an important game given the fortunes of both sides. Essendon, following its surprise win over Port Adelaide last week, is still hanging in there for a top-eight berth. The Bombers have lost some games to opponents below them on the ladder this year but have lifted for the bigger contests, and did so last week against the Power at Adelaide Oval. Collingwood, meanwhile, is clinging to its top-eight position after dropping three of the past four games. The Magpies can move on from a spluttering run of form with a victory over their great rivals.
LAST FIVE TIMES
R6, 2014, Collingwood 12.11 (83) d Essendon 8.12 (60) at MCG
R19, 2013, Collingwood 20.13 (133) d Essendon 7.12 (54) at MCG
R5, 2013, Essendon 18.13 (121) d Collingwood 10.15 (75) at MCG
R23, 2012, Collingwood 14.20 (104) d Essendon 10.12 (72) at MCG
R5, 2012, Collingwood 11.14 (80) d Essendon 11.13 (79) at MCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. Collingwood has dominated Essendon recently, winning nine of the past 10 contests. Four wins have come by more than 60 points and one by more than 90.
2. It’s a battle of the worst goalkicking sides in 2014. Essendon is ranked 17th for accuracy at 46.9 per cent and Collingwood is 18th at 46.7 per cent conversion rate.
3. The Bombers continue to rely heavily on their kicking. They are ranked first for kicks this year at an average of 228.8 a game.
4. Dane Swan might be out of form but he has a terrific record against the Bombers. In his past five games against Essendon Swan has averaged 34 disposals.
5. This is the 230th meeting between Essendon and Collingwood, with the Magpies holding a clear advantage – 126 wins to 99, with four draws.
6. Jamie Elliott has had a terrific season, reflected in the Official AFL Player Ratings, brought to you by Gatorade. Elliott started the year ranked 237 in the competition, but has risen to 105, and as Collingwood’s sixth-highest player.
Teams:
ESSENDON -THREE TO BE OMITTED 
B Dustin Fletcher, Cale Hooker, Jason Winderlich
HB Mark Baguley, Michael Hurley, Courtenay Dempsey
C David Zaharakis, Heath Hocking, David Myers
HF Paul Chapman, Joe Daniher, Jackson Merrett
F Travis Colyer, Jake Carlisle, Patrick Ambrose
FOLL Patrick Ryder, Brent Stanton, Dyson Heppell
I/C Ben Howlett, Jake Melksham, Zach Merrett,Elliott Kavanagh, Orazio Fantasia, Nick O’Brien,Cory Dell’Olio
IN Dustin Fletcher, Elliott Kavanagh, Orazio Fantasia, Nick O’Brien, Cory Dell’Olio
OUT Brendon Goddard (Suspension), Kyle Hardingham (Omitted)
COLLINGWOOD -THREE TO BE OMITTED 
B Tom Langdon, Jack Frost, Alan Toovey
HB Marley Williams, Nick Maxwell, Heritier Lumumba
C Steele Sidebottom, Brent Macaffer, Paul Seedsman
HF Tyson Goldsack, Jesse White, Ben Kennedy
F Jarryd Blair, Travis Cloke, Dane Swan
FOLL Jarrod Witts, Dayne Beams, Scott Pendlebury
I/C Sam Dwyer, Luke Ball, Taylor Adams, Clinton Young, Lachlan Keeffe, Josh Thomas, Tim Broomhead
IN Nick Maxwell, Jesse White, Luke Ball, Tim Broomhead
OUT Brodie Grundy (Omitted)
