Goal-sneak back for high-flying Pies’ interstate test
Shayne Hope and Murray Wenzel |
Collingwood coach Craig McRae will welcome back dangerous forward Lachie Schultz as he steels the AFL’s runaway leaders for their biggest test in some time.
The Magpies take on seventh-placed Gold Coast at People First Stadium on Friday night in the expansion side’s historic first home game in the premier time-slot.
It will be both Collingwood’s first interstate trip and battle with a top-eight rival since May, as they seek to extend their eight-game winning streak.
“Any team in the eight right now is a challenge for all teams,” McRae said.
“Gold Coast are really hard to play against, their contest is strong and clearance side is strong.
“But we’re looking forward to getting up there with our Magpie Army.”
Suns coach Damien Hardwick, used to the bright lights after winning three flags at Richmond, hopes Gold Coast’s Friday foray isn’t a one-off.
“I know there will be a lot of chatter around it and hopefully it’s the beginning of a lot of big games,” he said.
“We’ve got a pretty special group that’s capable of some really good things.
“People will talk about it being a big game, but we like to think we play a big-game brand of football.”
Collingwood have won four straight games against teams in the bottom half of the ladder since their last meeting with a top-eight side, when they beat Hawthorn in round 12.
“That’s what happens when you play them all in the first 10 weeks,” McRae quipped.
“But every week’s the same, we approach it like any other.
“We just want to attack them with what we can and take away some of their strengths. I’m sure they’ll try to do the same to us.”
Collingwood (14-2) ticked off a major target with last week’s comfortable win over Carlton, qualifying for the finals with two months to spare.
McRae, who was previously at pains to point out the aim was simply to reach September, will now reframe his messaging with a loftier goal in mind.
“We had a deliberate plan around what 14 wins looks like, and most teams are wanting that at the start of the year,” McRae said.
“To achieve that right now is something we’re really proud of, but we’ll reset quickly (and talk through) what the next six or seven rounds look like.”
Schultz has missed the past four games because of a hamstring injury and illness, but trained well on Wednesday and will make the trip north.
“We’re rapt with the way he prepared,” McRae said.
“He was ill last week, which really was the only reason he didn’t play.
“We would’ve been pushing the boundaries with that, but he’ll play this week.”
Fellow goal-sneak Bobby Hill remains sidelined because of illness and personal issues.
McRae said nobody else is in doubt with a bug that has affected the playing group over the past fortnight.
Hardwick is quietly confident fullback Sam Collins will return, despite the vice-captain only walking laps at Wednesday’s training session as he battles to overcome a calf strain.
AAP
