SUMMARY
Collingwood's season – and presumably Nathan Buckley's coaching career – hangs by a thread at 3-6 after producing a Houdini act against Hawthorn. Down by 43 points early on, the Magpies clawed their way back into the contest and ran away with the win in the final quarter. The Lions, after upsetting Gold Coast in round one, have lost their past eight games. In their most recent losses to Hawthorn and Adelaide, they were competitive before being overpowered in the second half. Producing a consistant effort across all four quarters will be key for the young Lions on Sunday. In-form Dayne Beams, who will lead the Lions against his old club for the first time, will no doubt receive a torrid reception from his former teammates and will need all the help he can get against Pendlebury, Treloar, Wells & co.
WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Sunday, May 28, 1.10pm AEST
LAST FIVE TIMES
R8, 2016, Collingwood 20.23 (143) d Brisbane Lions 10.5 (65) at the Gabba
R1, 2015, Collingwood 12.14 (86) d Brisbane Lions 11.8 (74) at the Gabba
R21, 2014, Brisbane Lions 18.15 (123) d Collingwood 8.8 (56) at the MCG
R10, 2013, Collingwood 14.16 (100) d Brisbane Lions 7.9 (51) at the Gabba
R7, 2012, Collingwood 17.14 (116) d Brisbane Lions 8.10 (58) at the Gabba
THE FOUR POINTS
1. The Magpies' pattern in 2017 has been consistent – a win followed by consecutive defeats. The Lions have now lost their past eight games.
2. The Lions have outscored their opponents in 10 of a possible 36 quarters, while Collingwood has won 14 quarters.
3. The Magpies are ranked third in clearances this season, averaging 39 a game. The Lions are equal-seventh with an average of 38.4, but are fourth in centre clearances, compared to the Pies' 12th.
4. Both teams average 45 hit-outs per match. With Stefan Martin and Brodie Grundy both making strong starts to the year, the battle of the ruck on Sunday will be a key matchup.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Dayne Beams.
After a career-high 40 disposals against the Crows in Round 9, Beams will need to put forward another captain's performance if the Lions are to have any chance of upsetting the Magpies. Sunday will be the first time Beams will captain the Lions against his former club, and will also be Beams' first match against the Pies since suffering a season-ending knee injury in Round 8, 2016.
