3. Big O a No-Go
In his press conference on Wednesday, Lions coach Chris Fagan confirmed that Oscar McInerney will sit out this week’s clash with Collingwood. After suffering an ankle injury in his side’s one point loss to Geelong on Friday, the medical staff deemed it best to allow the ruckman an additional week for recovery.
However, Fagan was confident that while Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy poses a challenge, the key to the Lions success on Thursday night will be on the ground.
“The bottom line is the battle’s got to be won at ground level. It’s not just about the hitouts, it’s about what happens the ball hits the ground. We’re going to have to come up with a good strategy tomorrow night to mitigate around Brodie Grundy.”
2. First team to cope with COVID Factor wins
It’s been a disruptive week for both Collingwood and Brisbane in this unorthodox lead up to their annual Easter Thursday clash. After Brisbane was made to stay in Melbourne following their Friday night game last week, they’ve had to make do with 3 different training grounds in 3 days. They’ve also had to send players and equipment down from Brisbane in a hurry.
Conversely, Collingwood have had selection headaches of their own, after star pair Jordan De Goey and Brodie Grundy missed training on Monday with a ‘sniffle’. As a result, they were forced to isolate following COVID tests. While Pies coach, Nathan Buckley, has said the pair will be fit to play, it will be interesting to see how the two teams play after interrupted weeks.
1. Pendlebury more dangerous than ever
It’s hard to believe that a 318 gamer is playing some of the best footy of his career, but 2021 seems to be just that for Pies skipper, Scott Pendlebury. In his opening two games for the year, Pendlebury has averaged 27 disposals, 4 marks and 5 tackles which are career best numbers.
What may worry his opposition is the fact that the 33-year-old is finding plenty of the footy in a midfield stacked with prolific ball winners. Both Collingwood and Brisbane boast two of the most impressive midfields in the competition and the match-ups are sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
