Friday first AFL Round 22 match is between Collingwood Magpies and West Coast Eagles with the game to be played at MCG. The opening bounce is set to commence at 7:50pm local time with home team Collingwood Magpies currently holding favouritism. View our AFL live scores, odds and results for the game between Collingwood Magpies and West Coast Eagles.

WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, 7:50pm AEST Friday, August 23, 2013

Opening odds comparison:

Collingwood Magpies	1.13	1.13	1.13	1.13	1.13	1.13
West Coast Eagles	6.00	6.00	6.00	6.00	6.00	6.00

Preview:

Round 22 of the AFL swings into action this weekend, with the first match between Collingwood and West Coast on Friday night.

Kicking off at the MCG at 7.50pm, this game will be important for the Magpies in terms of finals positions. While the Eagles are out of the finals and not expected to win here, Collingwood continue to battle it out with Essendon and Richmond as we get closer to September.

Despite their heavy loss to the Hawks last round, Collingwood should win here easily.

Teams:

Collingwood Magpies:
B: Nathan Brown, Nick Maxwell. Heath Shaw
HB: Marley Williams, Lachlan Keeffe, Tyson Goldsack
C: Harry O’Brien, Dayne Beams, Luke Ball
HF: Steele Sidebottom, Quinten Lynch, Jarryd Blair
F: Alan Didak, Travis Cloke, Ben Reid
Foll: Brodie Grundy, Scott Pendlebury, Dane Swan
I/C: Brent Macaffer, Josh Thomas, Ben Kennedy, Sam Dwyer
Emg: Jordan Russell, Ben Hudson, Paul Seedsman

In: A.Didak, B.Kennedy
Out: B.Sinclair (shoulder), J.Elliott (hamstring)

West Coast Eagles:
B: Mitchell Brown, Darren Glass, Patrick McGinnity
HB: Sam Butler, Eric Mackenzie, Ashley Smith
C: Andrew Gaff, Sharrod Wellingham, Bradd Dalziell
HF: Jamie Cripps, Josh Kennedy, Josh Hill
F: Will Schofield, Scott Lycett, Jack Darling
Foll: Dean Cox, Scott Selwood, Matt Priddis
I/C: Blayne Wilson, Brad Sheppard, Chris Masten, Matt Rosa
Emg: Mark Hutchings, Andrew Embley, Adam Carter

In: M.Rosa, C.Masten, B.Wilson
Out: L.Shuey (hamstring), A.Carter, A.Embley

Grundy our top ruck option, says Buckley

Brodie Grundy’s stunning AFL debut has made him Collingwood’s No.1 ruck option after just four games.

With Darren Jolly returning from injury, the 19-year-old has starred for the Magpies over the last month.

Jolly made a successful return in the VFL last weekend and could be back in the senior side for Friday night’s game against West Coast.

“To be honest, Brodie is our No.1 ruckman right now – the way he’s performed over the last month has been exceptional,” said coach Nathan Buckley.

“That doesn’t discount the fact that both of them (Grundy and Jolly) can play together.”

It is unusual for a teenage ruckman to make such a strong and immediate impression in the AFL.

“His footy is doing the talking … you guys are all seeing what he’s doing,” Buckley said.

“He’s been able to rise to the challenge, week after week, continually.

“He seems to be getting better every week.

“He keeps backing up, he keeps performing.

“He’s a pretty level-headed kid and he’s hungry – he’s hungry to improve.”

Should Jolly return, it is likely to be at the expense of ruck-forward Quinten Lynch.

Asked if Grundy, Jolly and Lynch could all play in the same side, Buckley said “categorically not” unless another tall forward went out of the team.

Buckley added Lynch had a quiet game in last Friday night’s loss to Hawthorn.