Collingwood v Geelong Preview, MCG

The reigning premiers have slipped outside the top-eight and precariously placed heading
into this Friday night blockbuster against rejuvenated Geelong. The Magpies looked flat in
the last quarter against Essendon last week. But the return of Jamie Elliott should offset the
loss of fellow forward Brody Mihocek for the rest of the home-and-away season. After losing
six of seven matches, Geelong have rediscovered their early season best in the last fortnight
as captain Patrick Dangerfield has made a big difference since returning from a hamstring
injury. Geelong can surge into the top-four with a victory here, and can put a massive dent in
Collingwood’s chances of playing finals at the same time.

TIP: Geelong by 19 points, Jeremy Cameron for three or more goals

As Collingwood and Geelong gear up for another clash at the MCG, footy fans are watching closely with plenty of talking points from both sides. Collingwood’s recent performances have been inconsistent, struggling to maintain momentum throughout four quarters. Their mid-season injuries have affected on-field structure, and their ability to finish strong remains in question. On the other hand, Geelong has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly through their midfield run and defensive pressure, although they’ve also had lapses in converting inside 50s into scoreboard impact.

When looking at AFL betting tips for this matchup, it’s worth reviewing the clubs’ recent head-to-head history. Collingwood has had the upper hand in two of the last three encounters, but Geelong’s contested game could put pressure on the Pies’ ball movement. AFL tips suggest this could be a tight contest, especially given both teams are pushing for strong ladder positions heading into the final stretch.

With finals around the corner, expect both teams to come out hard. AFL prediction discussions have this one circled as a possible defining moment for top-eight shaping. Whether you’re tracking trends or simply following team form, keeping an eye on key injuries and quarter-by-quarter output will be crucial.