Sunday’s AFL 2018 Round 17 match is between Collingwood Magpies and West Coast Eagles. The opening kick is set to commence at 13:10 local time with the game to be played at MCG. The home team Collingwood Magpies are the favourites for the match.
View our preview and teams for the game between Collingwood Magpies and West Coast Eagles.
When: 13:10 | Sunday 15/07/2018
Where: MCG
Preview:
This will be a great game and a good test for the Eagles against the hot Pies.
Jordan De Goey was again the hero for the Magpies against the Bombers and he’s had a great year but the Eagles’ defence will test him more than Essendon did last week.
The Eagles returned the winner’s list with a much-needed win against the Giants and I thought Nic Nat in the ruck responded from a quiet week and had a huge influence.
West Coast will stick to their usual game plan of zone defence and try to dominate at the stoppages.
KEY BATTLE: Nic Naitanui v Brodie Grundy
Nic Nat v Grundy in the ruck will be a ripper.
The Verdict
I think the Eagles could end the Magpies’ winning streak.
West Coast are 56-37-1 (59.6 percent) after winning as a favourite since 2010.
Unibet Odds:
Collingwood at $1.46
West Coast at $2.75
Odds:
Tip: Collingwood Magpies at $1.54
Value Bet: First Goal Scorer: Mason Cox at $15.00
More Info:
Teams:
Collingwood Magpies: 
B: Maynard, Langdon, Crisp
HB: Howe, Scharenberg, Varcoe
C: Mayne, Pendlebury, Phillips
HF: De Goey, Hoskin-Elliott, Daicos
F: Thomas, Cox, Stephenson
FOLL: Grundy, Adams, Sidebottom
I/C (from): Brown, Crocker, Greenwood, Mihocek, Sier, Moore, Murray, Oxley
IN: Varcoe, Brown, Murray, Moore, Oxley
OUT: Appleby
West Coast Eagles: 
B: Hurn, Schofield, Sheppard
HB: Cole, McGovern, Duggan
C: Jetta, Shuey, Redden
HF: Masten, Darling, LeCras
F: Cripps, Kennedy, Rioli
FOLL: Naitanui, Yeo, Gaff
I/C (from): Sheed, Allen, Venables, Lycett, Waterman, Ainsworth, Hutchings, Ah Chee
IN: Darling, LeCras, Kennedy, Sheed, Waterman
OUT: Vardy
AFL News:
Star forwards Jack Darling and Josh Kennedy are firming to return from injury for West Coast’s blockbuster AFL clash with Collingwood at the MCG.
The gun duo trained on Tuesday and are expected to push strongly for selection in Sunday’s clash between the second-placed Magpies and third-placed Eagles.
Arguably the form player of the competition in the first half of the season, Darling has been sidelined by an ankle injury for the past month.
Kennedy has missed the past three games with a knee issue.
The dual Coleman Medallist expects Darling to face the Magpies and hopes to line up alongside him if he can prove his fitness later in the week.
“I’m pretty sure Jack’s ready to go. He was training really well last week and was probably in contention for the game (against GWS),” Kennedy told 6PR radio on Tuesday.
“He’s still got to get through a bit of training, just like me, but I’m pretty sure he’s back in the action.
“Medically, I’m all good to go, so it’s just up to the fitness staff now. I’ll just do normal training on Thursday and have a few tests they want me to go through.
“If all good, then I’ll play, but if they make the call and say one more week, then it’s one more week.”
Coach Adam Simpson has also declared veteran forward Mark LeCras (wrist) and key defender Tom Barrass (back) a chance to return.
Liam Ryan will not be considered for senior selection but is set to play for East Perth in the WAFL as the club continues to investigate his early-morning car crash.
Coming off a hard-fought win over GWS, the Eagles will view Sunday’s game as a massive chance to prove themselves on the big stage and bolster their chances of a top-four finish.
Collingwood’s victory over Essendon extended their winning streak to seven but came at a cost with Will Hoskin-Elliott (shin) and Flynn Appleby (hamstring) added to an already bulging injury list.
