Collingwood v Brisbane AFL R23 betting tips – August 18, 2023

Collingwood v Brisbane betting predictions

Collingwood v Brisbane match preview

Kicking off round 23 of the 2023 AFL Premiership season is a blockbuster clash at Marvel Stadium between the top two teams in the AFL – the Collingwood Magpies and the Brisbane Lions.

Last Friday night, the Magpies faced off against the Geelong Cats at the MCG, winning by eight points in a high-scoring clash. Down by as much as 22 points in the first quarter, Collingwood bounced back through the middle of the game, kicking seven goals in a row to shift the momentum. The Cats kicked the last three goals to make a game of it, but the Pies hung on for the win.

The win solidifies the Magpies’ position at the top of the ladder and locks in a top-two spot for the AFL finals. With a win this weekend, the Pies will be crowned minor premiers.

The Lions hosted the Adelaide Crows last Saturday afternoon at the Gabba, scraping home by six points. After a tight first half, the Lions trailed by just one point at half-time, but a seven-goal third term saw them break away to lead by 16 points at three-quarter-time. Ultimately, accuracy cost the Crows the match, kicking 13.15 as opposed to the Lions’ 15.9.

This win guarantees finals footy for the Lions, who are now the only team that could take top spot away from the Magpies.

In bad news for the Pies, captain Darcy Moore suffered a hamstring injury last week that has ruled him out for the rest of the home-and-away season. Although Collingwood have only three first-teamers on their injury list, they may be forced to return Jeremy Howe to his natural habitat in defence this weekend.

Veteran forward Jack Gunston will miss the rest of the home-and-away season for the Lions after suffering a knee injury on the weekend. After being omitted two weeks ago, forward Kai Lohmann kicked four goals in the VFL and looks likely to take Gunston’s place.

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Collingwood v Brisbane best bets

With the Lions undefeated at the Gabba this season, all six of their losses have come in away games. Winning this match would make sure of a top-two finish, which would guarantee two home finals. The Lions won by 33 points the last time these two sides met and have won their last five meetings with the Pies, which should give them confidence coming into this one.

The Magpies are undefeated in two games at Docklands this season and looked to have returned to form last weekend against the Cats. With the chance of guaranteeing the AFL minor premiership on Friday, Collingwood should be firing on all cylinders. We are backing the Magpies in this one at $1.69 with Palmerbet.

With the injury to Darcy Moore last weekend, Brisbane key forward Joe Daniher now faces a much easier task against an undermanned Collingwood defence. Although he has 46 goals so far this season, Daniher has managed just three majors across his last three matches. Look for him to bounce back with two or more goals at $1.59 with top AFL bookmakers.

With recent injuries sustained in the Collingwood midfield, veteran Tom Mitchell saw a major increase in centre bounces last weekend. Mitchell plays at his best when in the contest, winning his own ball and releasing it to teammates. After a solid showing last weekend, look for the former Hawk to improve once again, collecting 25 or more disposals at $1.88.

Key matchup: Josh Daicos v Hugh McCluggage

Josh Daicos vs Hugh McCluggage

Coming off a career-high 38 disposals last weekend, Magpies wingman Josh Daicos showed he can take control of a match when required. Sitting second at the club for metres gained this season, Daicos loves to run and carry the football, while his kicking regularly finds open targets. With 14 goals this year, he is also a scoring threat from midfield.

Hugh McCluggage has had a very impressive last month of football, averaging 26 disposals and a goal per game for the Lions. Playing predominantly as a wingman throughout the season, McCluggage’s time in midfield has increased over the last few weeks, as has his overall output.

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