Fridays’s only AFL Round 9 match is between Collingwood Magpies and Sydney Swans. The opening bounce is set to commence at 7:50pm local time with the game to be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The home team Collingwood Magpies are the favourites for the match after beating Geelong last weekend. View our preview and teams for the game between Collingwood Magpies and Sydney Swans.

Round: Round 9 7:50 PM May 24, 2013
Stadium: MCG
Weather: 16° Shower or two.

Featured Bookmakers:

Collingwood Magpies $1.60 vs Sydney Swans $2.35 at Sportsbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match

Collingwood Magpies $1.62 vs Sydney Swans $2.35 at Luxbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match

Odds Comparison by AFL Odds:

Collingwood Magpies	1.60	1.60	1.62	1.60	1.60	1.63
Sydney Swans	2.35	2.35	2.35	2.35	2.35	2.32

Preview:

A great way to kick off round 9! It’s been a rollercoaster of results for Collingwood since registering successive wins the opening rounds however, last weeks’ win over the previously undefeated Geelong, was definitely a high.

Collingwood jumped out to a good start and had to fight hard in the second half as Geelong mounted a challenge before prevailing 102-62.

It took the Magpies season record to 5-3 which sees them clinging to eighth spot on the ladder.

The Swans support a similar record 5-2-1 however, their two loses and last week’s draw against Fremantle, have been against the only teams the Swans have met this season who were placed inside the eight.

With Essendon and Adelaide (in Adelaide) awaiting the Swans in the next two rounds, this is a statistic they’ll have to address and quickly otherwise, their current position of fourth in the ladder, will suffer.

Sydney finally broke an eleven game losing streak to Collingwood the last time these two sides met (96-70 in last year’s finals) but coming off a dour effort against Fremantle at the SCG last week and a heavy lost (37 points) to Hawthorn the week before, the Swans need to lift.

Collinwood were dealt a blow during the week with news that Dale Thomas will more than likely miss the remainder of the season with an ankle injury and Dayne Beams also out for a period of time with a quad complaint.

Despite these losses Collingwood who are coming off a good win last week, have an outstanding recorded against the Swans and are at home at the MCG, will be too good.

Teams:

Collingwood Magpies:
B: Nathan Brown, Ben Reid, Heritier O’Brien
HB: Jordan Russell, Nick Maxwell, Marley Williams
C: Steele Sidebottom, Dane Swan, Luke Ball
HF: Jamie Elliott, Quinten Lynch, Brent Macaffer
F: Ben Kennedy, Travis Cloke, Sam Dwyer
Foll: Darren Jolly, Scott Pendlebury, Jarryd Blair
Int: Andrew Krakouer, Martin Clarke, Jarrod Witts, Paul Seedsman
Emerg: Ben Sinclair, Alan Didak, Josh Thomas

In: M.Clarke
Out: J.Thomas

Sydney Swan:
B: Nick Malceski, Ted Richards, Nick Smith
HB: Jarrad McVeigh, Heath Grundy, Dane Rampe
C: Lewis Jetta, Ryan O’Keefe, Daniel Hannebery
HF: Mitch Morton, Sam Reid, Jude Bolton
F: Luke Parker, Adam Goodes, Ben McGlynn
Foll: Mike Pyke, Josh Kennedy, Kieren Jack
Int: Craig Bird, Andrejs Everitt, Jed Lamb, Shane Mumford
Emerg: Tom Mitchell, Tony Armstrong, Tommy Walsh

In: J.Lamb
Out: T.Walsh

Clarke back but no Shaw for Magpies

Collingwood have recalled defender Martin Clarke for Friday night’s AFL clash with Sydney at the MCG but have been unable to regain Heath Shaw because of a back injury.

Premiership player Shaw was due to return from suspension this week but has been ruled out with what the club says is a minor lower-back complaint.

The Magpies have dropped midfielder Josh Thomas while premiers Sydney welcome Jed Lamb and have dumped Tommy Walsh.

Collingwood’s loss to the Swans in last year’s preliminary final at ANZ Stadium was their first defeat against Sydney in 12 matches and Magpies’ coach Nathan Buckley says the result remains fresh in his players’ minds.

The 16th-placed Western Bulldogs, facing a massive game against St Kilda on Saturday, have dumped Lukas Markovic and their former club champion Daniel Cross while Brownlow Medallist Adam Cooney is also out of the side with a hamstring bleed.

Famous for his unflinching efforts in contested-ball situations, the 30-year-old Cross is also a four-time runner-up in the Bulldogs’ best-and-fairest award. Cross is averaging 21 disposals in 2013.

The Bulldogs, who’ve lost 18 of their past 19 games, have promoted 18-year-old Nathan Hrovat for his debut.

St Kilda have been boosted by the return of three-time club champion Lenny Hayes.

Star midfielder Steve Johnson is back from a minor calf injury for the second-placed Cats who travel to AAMI Stadium to play Port Adelaide on Saturday and 20-year-old George Burbury is on debut, while Dom Cassisi is unavailable for Port because of a hamstring injury.

Ex-skipper Chris Newman and ruckman Ivan Maric return for Richmond in Saturday night’s Dreamtime clash with Essendon at the MCG.

Former Essendon player Sam Lonergan has been named by the Tigers for his first game with his new club, against his old team.

The Bombers have recalled Courtenay Dempsey and Leroy Jetta. Dempsey’s return from injury was delayed by a week following his late night out which breached the club’s injury-protocol rules and led to his selection in the VFL last week.

Carlton regain Bryce Gibbs for Saturday night’s Gabba clash with Brisbane who will be without suspended pair Justin Clarke and Daniel Merrett.

Ladder leaders Hawthorn regain defender Josh Gibson and are resting ruckman David Hale (ankle) for Sunday’s match against Gold Coast while Melbourne have recalled Jack Watts for the game against Fremantle in Perth.

West Coast are taking on bottom side Greater Western Sydney on Saturday but the Eagles’ depth will be tested with four more players – Adam Selwood (quad), Will Schofield (finger), Sharrod Wellingham (ankle) and Beau Waters (quad) – added to their injury list.

Adelaide have included forward Ian Callinan in their squad for Sunday’s clash with North Melbourne.