Two of this season’s likely flag contenders kick off their 2025 campaigns, with the Giants hosting the Magpies in Sydney.
Best Bet
Injuries to key Giants have rightly seen the Magpies backed in from outsiders to favourites for this contest.
The Giants looked very ordinary in the pre-season, losing to Sydney and Carlton by 57 and 58 points, respectively. Tom Green’s absence will hurt their midfield and running depth, which has also been weakened by the off-season departures of James Peatling, Isaac Cumming and Harry Perryman.
The prospect of containing reigning Coleman Medallist Jesse Hogan and new recruit Jake Stringer was going to be a challenge for Collingwood’s thin key defensive stocks, but with both injured, it’s difficult to see how the Giants will kick a winning score here.
After a premiership defence that never really got going in 2024, the Pies look refreshed entering this season and will be bolstered by the additions of Dan Houston (suspended for this game), Tim Membrey, and the aforementioned Perryman. Albeit against spoon favourites Richmond, Craig McRae’s team looked sharp in their final pre-season hit-out, running away 83-point winners.
Collingwood have won 11 of their last 12 interstate matches as favourites and should get the job done here.
Same Game Multi
The over is always a fantastic bet early in the season. Since 2021, games played up to Round 2 have gone over at a 63% clip. The last five games between these teams at this venue have also gone over. The current forecast is only predicting showers and up to 4mm of rain on Sunday, but keep an eye on this closer to the bounce and leave the total out if it worsens.
Membrey is a bit of a forgotten recruit for the Pies, but the former Saint has booted 30+ goals in seven of his last nine seasons, and should get a good match-up as Taylor and Buckley are likely to take McStay and Mihocek.
Expect Finn Callaghan to enjoy plenty of midfield time with Green missing. He had 20+ touches in 13 of his last 15 games and 27 in his final pre-season match.
Value Bet
Following pre-season form can be risky, but this is a good price to see if the Giants will start 2025 slowly, especially without Green, Hogan, and Stringer.
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