Collingwood are playing their final game of the year, perhaps their last ever under Nathan Buckley, when they host the Melbourne Demons on Saturday of Round 23.
Another year has passed under Buckley’s Collingwood, and it’s another year that has fallen short of the finals finish Pies fans hope for.
He is out of contract at the end of the year and a decision looms next week on whether or not he will be given a new deal.
That’s not a problem we can solve here and now, though if you’re betting somewhere on that my advice is he’s probably getting dumped.
Can Collingwood finish things off with a high? Every chance, but it’s fair to say they’re thinking more about next year right now.
Melbourne on the other hand are going to be firmly rooted in the here and now because all they need to do is win this one and the club will play their first finals series in eleven years.
Even if they lose they’re still more likely than not to sneak in… but gee, it’d be nice to have it guaranteed, wouldn’t it?
The Dees have been a great team this year. It’d be very disappointing to have a finals series without them in it.
Fingers crossed that regardless of how this match goes, they are able to play at least a small role in September.
Collingwood have some fond names back this week in Brodie Grundy and also Tyson Goldsack, and will debut Kayle Kirby.
Josh Smith and Jarryd Blair have both been dropped, while Ben Reid is set to miss through injury.
Melbourne have put their strongest team on the field, dropping Josh Wagner and Billy Stretch while recalling Jack Watts and Christian Salem.
The Demons have won the last four games in a row between these two clubs, including a slim four-point win on Queen’s Birthday earlier this year.
Melbourne have more to play for here and that should get them the win… but not by too much. $2.10 for them to win by 1-39 is the best value.
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