FORM GUIDE
Only three positions separate the Lions (14th) and Collingwood (11th) on the AFL ladder, with both sides coming off losses at home last weekend.

The Lions fell to Carlton by 13 points at the Gabba, while the Magpies were soundly beaten by reigning Premiers Sydney.

Although neither side enters the match in winning form, Collingwood will rightly start as overwhelming favourites.

The Pies are still recognised as one of the competition’s best sides, and only two weeks ago handed premiership fancies Geelong their first, and only, defeat of the season.   

SELECTION TABLE
There has been plenty of movement at the selection table this week, with a total of 10 changes made between the two teams.

The Lions have made six, three of which are big name omissions.

Jonathan Brown (suspension), Matthew Leuenberger (thumb) and Tom Rockliff (quad) have been forced out of the side. Draftee Sam Mayes is being afforded a rest after pulling up sore from his first senior AFL stint, while Jordan Lisle and Josh Green have been omitted.

Justin Clarke, Patrick Karnezis, Jack Crisp, Billy Longer, Ryan Harwood, and Marco Paparone have been added to the side.

The six inclusions have just 75 games of senior AFL experience between them, while the omissions combine for 427. Suffice to say, the Lions will be fielding one of the Club’s least experienced sides for some time against the Pies.

Collingwood, meanwhile, have brought back a couple of premiership stars in Heath Shaw and Alan Didak, along with young Queenslander Josh Thomas and first-gamer Kyle Martin.

Jordan Russell (ankle) and Sam Dwyer (groin) have been forced out of the Magpies side through injury, while Irishman Marty Clarke and ruckman Jarrod Witts have been omitted.

KEY MATCH-UPS
The Lions’ forward line will no doubt keep the Collingwood defenders guessing, with no Jonathan Brown, Aaron Cornelius or Jordan Lisle selected as the spearhead.

Instead, the Lions have named utility Ryan Lester at full-forward, with second-gamer Sam Michael lining up at centre half-forward.

No doubt the Lions are banking on sharing the goal-kicking load between these two targets, and the likes of Marco Paparone, Rohan Bewick, Dayne Zorko and Patrick Karnezis.

Ben Reid, Nick Maxwell and Nathan Brown will form the nucleus of the Magpies’ defence, while Heath Shaw and Harry O’Brien generally have license to run further up the ground and become midfield threats.

It will be important for the Lions to shut down Collingwood’s run from defence, and keep them accountable at the same time.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Patrick Karnezis looked to have taken his game to a new level following a standout NAB Cup campaign, but found himself back in the NEAFL by Round 3 of the season proper.

Karnezis has proven he can win the ball in the middle, and can also pose a threat up forward, but has been busy working on other aspects of his game which could help him see more regular senior action.

He will be keen to make the most of this opportunity and give himself the best chance to reclaim his spot for the remainder of the season. 

For the Pies, you can pretty much take your pick among any of their star-studded engine room.

Scott Pendlebury, Dane Swan, Steele Sidebottom and the returning Luke Ball form one of the most damaging midfields in the League.

During their most recent visit to the Gabba in Round 7 last year, Pendlebury, Swan and Sidebottom helped the Pies to a comfortable victory by collecting 102 possessions between them.

This time, the Lions simply can’t let players of such quality to get so much of the ball.

MISSING IN ACTION
Where do you start?

The Lions are missing arguable their five most important players in Jonathan Brown, Matthew Leuenberger, Daniel Merrett, Tom Rockliff, and Daniel Rich – while Mitch Golby (foot) and Matt Maguire (leg) would also be walk-up starts if they were available.

Collingwood are also without some key personnel, with Dayne Beams (quad) yet to make a senior appearance in the regular season, and Dale Thomas (ankle) set for a lengthy stint on the sidelines.

RECENT HISTORY
The Lions boast a decent record against Collingwood since the 1997 merger.

In fact, the Lions’ winning percentage of 67% against the Pies is the Club’s best against any AFL opposition with the exception of new franchises Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney.

That figure would be even greater if Collingwood hadn’t won four of the past five meetings between the two sides.

The Magpies have also played a key part in the Club’s not-so-recent history, as the Lions’ opponents in both the 2002 and 2003 AFL Grand Finals.

The Lions are set to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of those premiership triumphs this Friday night by wearing a commemorative 3-Peat ‘Hero’ guernsey and promoting a range of other match-day activities.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
Tonight will be the Lions’ first Friday night match at the Gabba in over four years.

The last time the Lions hosted prime time AFL on a Friday night was back in Round 4 of 2009, coincidentally against Collingwood. On that occasion, more than 33,000 people packed into the Gabba to witness the Pies storm home to a 17-point win.