COLLINGWOOD will need to play one of its best defensive games of the year to beat Hawthorn’s dynamic forward line on Friday night at the MCG, but past history isn’t on their side.
Historically, Hawthorn’s tall forwards in particular have posed a problem for the Magpies, with Lance Franklin usually inflicting the most damage.
Franklin has kicked 50 goals in 12 games against the Pies, an average of 4.2 goals per game – the equal highest amount of goals kicked against any opposition in his career, along with 50 against the Bombers.
Most recently, the Hawks star booted four goals in the Round 3 clash between the two sides and also kicked four in the Qualifying Final between the two sides last season.
He didn’t play when the sides met in Round 17 last year, but kicked five against the Pies in the season opener.
His recent form against Collingwood has been impressive and given the Hawthorn expects him to return from a hamstring issue, the Pies defenders will have the job ahead of them on Friday night.
His forward partner Jarryd Roughead hasn’t been as dominant, having kicked 25 goals against the Pies, also in 12 matches against them.
This year though, he kicked three goals in the Round 3 clash between the two sides and his form this season has been arguably better than Franklin’s.
He has kicked 59 goals so far this season and is coming off a five-goal haul against the Saints.
Collingwood utility Tyson Goldsack says the key to beating Hawthorn, something his team has struggled to do in recent times will be shutting down Franklin and Roughead.
Goldsack says it will be up to the midfielders to provide support to their defensive teammates.
"It's going to be a challenge no doubt," Goldsack told the AFL website.
"We have got our work cut out for us.
“We can work on that, whether it is blokes rolling back or putting more pressure on the source.”
Worrying for the Pies is the fact Swans forward Kurt Tippett booted six goals against the Collingwood defence despite his team going down to the Pies by 29 points last Saturday night.
Tippett proved too big and strong for Collingwood full back Nathan Brown, forcing the Pies to move young defender Lachie Keeffe onto the big forward.
The task doesn’t get any easier for Collingwood and Friday night and Coach, Nathan Buckley knows it.
The Magpies coach’s eyes aren’t set firmly on Franklin and Roughead, but rather the plethora of options the Hawks have at their disposal in side forward 50 including Cyril Rioli, Luke Breust and Jack Gunston.
"We’re not going to forget about Jarryd Roughead…we’re not going to forget about Luke Bruest who’s a dangerous player, Cyril Rioli, Paul Puopolo if he’s there, Jack Gunston if he’s there, Lewis if he’s there,” he said.
“They’ve got a few options down there, it’s not all about Buddy Franklin.”
