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Collingwood vs Port Adelaide Tips - Power to prevail in Round 1 action at the MCG

Adam Cusworth

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Last updated: 13 Mar 2025

Adam Cusworth 13 Mar 2025

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Collingwood and Port Adelaide clash at MCG for AFL Round 1.
Collingwood under pressure after a tough loss to GWS.
Port Adelaide looks strong head-to-head; slight underdog status.

Expired

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 20: Steele Sidebottom of the Magpies gathers the ball infront of Willie Rioli of the Power during the round six AFL match between Collingwood Magpies and Port Adelaide Power at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on April 20, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Collingwood vs Port Adelaide Preview
Head to Head
Collingwood Form Analysis
Collingwood Team News
Collingwood Team List
Port Adelaide Form Analysis
Port Adelaide Team News
Port Adelaide Team List

Collingwood vs Port Adelaide Preview

Collingwood take on Port Adelaide in the Round 1 of the AFL season on Saturday night at the MCG in Melbourne.

The Magpies are one of just four sides that have already played this season and will be out to bounce back after going down to GWS to the tune of 52 points in the Opening Round.

Craig McRae’s side were wasteful in front of goal early on before struggling with th Giants quick ball movement in the second half.

Harry Perryman was solid in his first game for the Magpies, picking up 28 disposals, while Josh Daicos chimed in with 27.

Port Adelaide head into this fresh and come off a 2024 campaign that saw them make the Preliminary Final before bowing out to Sydney. They won 16 of their 23 regulat season matches, while Collingwood won the 12 with two draws.

The Power head in as slight underdogs in the head to head betting but with question marks over the Pies, they might be the ones to take in this market.

Port Adelaide won their last six home and away matches in 2024
The Magpies have lost six of their past 10 home and away matches.
Sam Powell-Pepper has booted six goals in his past four matches against Collingwood
Nick Daicos has averaged 27 disposals in his past four matches against Port Adelaide

Head to Head

Collingwood have won their past four matches against Port Adelaide with those wins coming at an average margin of 28 points. Three of those were at the MCG, including a 62 point win at the venue in Round 6 last year.

Port Adelaide won three of their four at the MCG before Collingwood’s recent run. In 2024, the Power won their last six home and away games, while Collingwood won just four of their last 10 matches, missing out on finals.

Collingwood Form Analysis

Collingwood headed into 2024 as the reigning premiers but produced an inconsistent season, finishing with a 12-9-2 win-loss-draw record that saw them miss the finals. Their premiership defence was hampered by injuries and a mid-season slump, though Nick Daicos averaged over 30 disposals and finished runner-up in the Brownlow Medal. In pre season match simulation and the Community Series this season 2025, the Magpies looked promising with their recruits Harry Perryman, Dan Houston, and Tim Membrey, showing solid form. They thumped Richmond by 83-point victory, with Daicos dominating.

But that form did not hold up against the Giants, who dominated the second half, restricting the Pies to just six goals for the match. Daicos struggled with cramp, while their forward were wasteful in front of goal. Collingwood’s defense struggled without key personnel, exemplified by Tim Membrey’s late turnover leading to a GWS goal, while the Giants’ midfield, despite missing Tom Green, overwhelmed the Pies, who were "out on their feet" by the third quarter, per Nathan Buckley, marking a stark contrast to their 2023 preliminary final thriller against the same opponent.

Collingwood Team News

Collingwood came out with no major injury concerns out of the Giants match although there is some mystery around the condition of Josh Daicos. Dan Houston is set to line up in black and white colours for the first time after serving a suspension from last season but Jordan de Goey and Mason Cox are expected to remain on the sidelines.

Collingwood Team List

B: B.Maynard, D.Moore - C, I.Quaynor

HB: H.Perryman, R.McInnes, D.Houston

C: S.Sidebottom, J.Daicos, P.Lipinski

HF: B.Hill, D.McStay, J.Elliott

F: T.Membrey, B.Mihocek, B.McCreery

FOLL: D.Cameron, J.Crisp, N.Daicos

I/C: L.Schultz, S.Pendlebury, L.Sullivan, J.Howe, N.Long

EMG: E.Allan, B.Frampton, A.Johnson

Port Adelaide Form Analysis

Port Adelaide come off a strong season, finishing 2nd with a 15-8 record and reaching a preliminary final, only to be knocked out by eventual premiers Brisbane. The Power showcased their potency with a high-octane attack (3rd in points scored) and a robust midfield led by Connor Rozee, Zak Butters, and Jason Horne-Francis, though their defense occasionally faltered under pressure (8th in points against). A late-season surge saw them win their last six home-and-away games.

The Power come in with some new faces with Jack Lukosius settling into the forward mix, while the former Tiger, Ivan Soldo is set to make his Power debut in the ruck. The AAMI Community Series clash with St Kilda on March 1 delivered a 44-point win, with Jeremy Finlayson excelling in a new role down back, while Conor Rozee fired in the midfield. Ken Hinkley will look to integrate his new faces and maintain a tight defence against the Pies.

Port Adelaide Team News

The Power suffered a significant blow in the pre-season with superstar Zak Butters set to miss the start of the season following knee surgery, leaving the likes of Rozee and Jason Horne-Francis under some pressure to step up. Todd Marshall is sidelined for an extended period, giving Jack Lukosius and Mitch Georgiades a chance to feature up forward. Jeremy Finlayson may start in the backline due to injuries to Brandon Zerk-Thatcher and Esava Ratugolea. First-round draftee Joe Berry has impressed and is on the verge of making his debut.

Port Adelaide Team List

B: La.Jones, A.Aliir, M.Bergman

HB: L.Evans, J.Finlayson, K.Farrell

C: J.Burgoyne, C.Rozee - C, J.Mead

HF: W.Drew, M.Georgiades, W.Rioli

F: D.Byrne-Jones, J.Lukosius, J.Richards

FOLL: J.Sweet, J.Horne-Francis, S.Powell-Pepper

I/C: J.Berry, J.Sinn, R.Burton, T.Boak, O.Wines

EMG: I.Soldo, R.Atkins, J.McEntee

Verdict

Collingwood v Port Adelaide

Power can capitalise on a Collingwood outfit low on confidence. Sam Powell-Pepper can hit the scoreboard in his return

Port Adelaide

Head to Head

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