Hawthorn v Collingwood
MCG
Saturday 15 August, 7:40pm
Two of Victoria’s biggest clubs. A Saturday night at the MCG. Finals positions hanging in the balance.
Hawthorn and Collingwood meet in a massive late-season clash this Saturday night, with both sides having plenty to play for as the AFL Finals draw closer.
For Hawthorn, it’s an opportunity to respond after a disappointing trip north against Brisbane and strengthen their position inside the top four.
Collingwood returns to Melbourne following a successful interstate outing, but there is little room for error. The Magpies are fighting to climb out of a Wildcard Round position, with defeat ending their hopes of a top-six finish.
The stakes are high. And when these two clubs meet at the MCG, there is usually a little extra spice.
Nick Daicos and the Brownlow Race
All eyes will once again be on Nick Daicos.
The Collingwood superstar appears to be storming towards the Brownlow Medal that has so far eluded him, producing another outstanding season at the heart of the Magpies’ midfield.
His ability to win the football, create space and turn possession into attack makes him arguably Collingwood’s biggest weapon heading into Saturday night.
The question for Hawthorn is simple: can they limit his influence?
If Daicos is allowed to dictate the game through the middle of the MCG, he could make life very difficult for the Hawks.
Can The Wizard Respond?
At the other end, Hawthorn will be looking for a response from Nick ‘The Wizard’ Watson.
After a disappointing outing against Brisbane, Watson returns to the MCG with the perfect opportunity to bounce back on the big stage.
The exciting small forward remains in the Coleman Medal hunt, but he will need a strong finish to the season to stay in contention.
Watson has quickly become one of Hawthorn’s biggest crowd favourites, and a big performance against Collingwood could be exactly what the Hawks need on Saturday night.
Hawthorn v Collingwood: A Rivalry With History
Hawthorn and Collingwood have produced plenty of memorable contests over the years, but few compare with the 2011 Preliminary Final.
In front of a huge MCG crowd, Hawthorn looked on the verge of pulling off an upset when Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin produced one of the great individual goals in finals history.
Franklin gathered the ball near the boundary, accelerated away and somehow curled through a remarkable goal from deep in the pocket.
It felt like the winner.
But Collingwood had one final response.
With only minutes remaining, Luke Ball snapped the goal that put the Magpies back in front, sending Collingwood through to the 2011 AFL Grand Final.
The Pies would ultimately fall to Geelong in the Grand Final, while for Hawthorn, the heartbreak became part of the foundation for one of the greatest periods in the club’s history.
The Hawks reached each of the next four Grand Finals, winning three consecutive premierships from 2013 to 2015.
Fourteen years later, Hawthorn and Collingwood meet again at the MCG with plenty on the line.
A Huge Saturday Night at the MCG
For Hawthorn, a loss could see them surrender their place inside the top four.
For Collingwood, defeat would end their hopes of finishing inside the top six and leave them facing the Wildcard Round.
Then there are the individual battles.
Can Hawthorn contain Nick Daicos as he continues his Brownlow charge? Can The Wizard respond with a bag of goals and keep his Coleman hopes alive?
Two Victorian heavyweights. A packed MCG. Finals implications everywhere you look.
Saturday night is set for a classic.
Hawthorn v Collingwood FAQs
When is Hawthorn v Collingwood?
Hawthorn and Collingwood play on Saturday 15 August, with the match scheduled to begin at 7:40pm.
Where is Hawthorn v Collingwood being played?
The match will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne.
Why is Hawthorn v Collingwood such an important game?
Both clubs have significant finals implications riding on the result. Hawthorn is fighting to protect its top-four position, while Collingwood needs to win to keep its hopes of finishing inside the top six alive.
Is Nick Daicos playing against Hawthorn?
Nick Daicos is expected to be one of Collingwood’s most important players against Hawthorn. The star midfielder is enjoying another outstanding season and is firmly in the Brownlow Medal conversation.
Can Nick Watson win the Coleman Medal?
Nick Watson remains in contention for the Coleman Medal heading into the closing stages of the season. A strong performance against Collingwood would help keep The Wizard firmly in the race.
What happened in the 2011 Hawthorn v Collingwood Preliminary Final?
Collingwood defeated Hawthorn by three points in a famous 2011 Preliminary Final at the MCG. Lance Franklin kicked a remarkable late goal that appeared likely to win the match for Hawthorn, before Luke Ball responded with the decisive goal for Collingwood.
Where can I get Hawthorn v Collingwood tickets?
Fans looking to be there on Saturday night can explore Hawthorn v Collingwood tickets and premium seating through Ticketverse.