GWS Giants vs Collingwood Magpies Prediction: A road win for Magpies doesn’t look impossible

Giants Stadium is set to host the Round 1 AFL action between the GWS Giants and Collingwood Magpies. Leading up to this match, both teams are in impressive form, and fans can anticipate a highly competitive and engaging encounter.

The GWS Giants showcased their proficiency in gaining Uncontested Possessions during the previous AFL season, standing out as the only club to surpass the 6000-mark in this category. In their 2024 Community Series match against the Gold Coast Suns in Canberra, the Giants secured a 44-point victory, outperforming the Suns in nearly every metric. A notable statistic was their dominance in forward entries, amassing 72 Inside 50s compared to the Suns' 41.

To contend for a premiership in the Toby Greene, Stephen Coniglio, and Lachie Whitfield era, the GWS Giants recognize the importance of maximizing their strengths. However, they will face the challenge of competing without key utility players Isaac Cumming, Finn Callaghan, and Harry Perryman. Despite missing the preseason hit-out, Jesse Hogan has retained his place in the team, getting the nod ahead of Aaron Cadman, who is positioned on the interchange.

The Collingwood Magpies must be cautious of the Grand Final Hangover, a challenge that has affected teams in recent years. Given their aging list, a strong start and consistent performance become even more crucial. In their recent Community Series game against the Richmond Tigers, the Magpies demonstrated defensive prowess, limiting the Tigers to only five goals and securing a 76-46 victory in a relatively low-scoring affair. However, their accuracy in front of goal proved to be an issue, going 10.16 on the day, a facet that needs improvement, particularly against top-tier teams.

In terms of ball movement, the Magpies showcased their skills by taking over double the number of marks as Richmond (130-66), highlighting their ability to maneuver the ball around the ground. Lachie Schultz, following his move from Fremantle, seamlessly slots into the starting lineup. Unfortunately, Dan McStay suffered an ACL injury in the preseason, leading to Ash Johnson getting the nod ahead of Mason Cox, who is slated to come off the interchange bench.

In the 2023 Preliminary Final, the match between these teams was decided by the slimmest of margins, with Collingwood Magpies emerging victorious with a 58-57 score. It's often said that footy is a game of inches, and this encounter is expected to be no different. The outcome might hinge on the accuracy of the forwards, especially early in the season, as both teams vie for supremacy. Anticipated to be another closely contested match, the GWS Giants likely have this game marked on their calendar for a shot at redemption.

However, despite being on the road, Collingwood Magpies are considered the stronger team, and the prediction leans towards a narrow victory with a low total score.