SUMMARY

Collingwood returns to September after winning 12 of its final 13 games of the home and away season to secure fourth spot. Taylor Adams looms as the only player returning from injury, with the Magpies vice-captain set to play for the first time since hurting his groin in round 20. Geelong arrives at the start of another finals series on the back of a 13-game winning streak, finishing two games clear on top of the ladder. Jeremy Cameron, Rhys Stanley and Mitch Duncan all missed round 23, but all three are set to play. Cam Guthrie hurt his shoulder in the that game but is good to go. 

Where and when: MCG, Saturday, September 3, 4.35pm AEST

WHAT HAPPENED THIS YEAR? 

Round 3: Collingwood 13.13 (91) lost to Geelong 16.8 (104) at the MCG

Before Collingwood clicked into gear under new coach Craig McRae, it almost stunned Geelong early in the season. The Magpies booted nine third-quarter goals to lead by 30 points at the final change, before the Cats steamed home, kicking seven final-term goals to none with Jeremy Cameron booting six majors in a dominant display. Only one team banked the points that night, but Collingwood fans didn't leave disappointed. 

02:02

Untameable | Finals 2022

Finals start now. Geelong take on Collingwood at the MCG in week 1.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Geelong

Jeremy Cameron earned Therabody AFL All-Australian selection for the third time last Wednesday night after a brilliant second season at Kardinia Park. But the Coleman medallist arrives at the start of September with some concern regarding his fitness after straining his hamstring in round 22. The 29-year-old has been cleared to play, but he has history of hamstring issues at Geelong. Hopefully, this one is behind him. 

Collingwood

While the Cats had five players named in the All-Australian side, Brayden Maynard was the only Magpie to be picked in the 22. The 25-year-old is the match-up no one wants from Geelong. Maynard's versatility could see him used on anyone from Jeremy Cameron to Tyson Stengle to Patrick Dangerfield if he plays in attack. The defender's style stacks up in finals, just like it has in big games at the MCG in front of 70,000-plus this year. Collingwood has played in front of the five biggest crowds of 2022.  

WHAT THE COACHES SAID 

Chris Scott on Collingwood:

Different teams challenge you in different ways.

Collingwood just happen to be really good at that situation (close finishes) and the best practice is in the moment, in real games with a lot at stake and they have been playing with a lot at stake for at least the last month, probably longer than that so they've had the perfect practice in that moment.

We've worked as hard as we can within our training system to be on the same page and know what we're trying to do in those scenarios.

Craig McCrae on Geelong:

It's going to be a massive challenge. They're in great shape.

They’ve won 13 games in a row, they're going to have everybody available, they’re two games on top of the ladder, have huge experience on their list – a lot of shared experience. It's going to be a massive challenge.

Anytime you step over the white line there’s an element of competitiveness that you need to bring your best and I would have thought this is going to be a real red hot game for the very start.