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Collingwood vs Adelaide Crows Round 1 Tips – Magpies to make it two from two with win over Crows at the MCG

Adam Cusworth

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Last updated: Wed 11 Mar 2026 07:06

Adam Cusworth 11 Mar 2026

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Collingwood aims to extend their winning streak against the Crows at the MCG.
Key players like Nick Daicos are pivotal after recent standout performances.
Adelaide's lineup faces challenges; their success hinges on contested plays.

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Jamie Elliott will be amongst the goals against Adelaide (Getty Images)

Collingwood will continue their strong recent record against Adelaide by handing the Crows a defeat in Round 1 action at the MCG.

The Magpies come into the clash with momentum after an impressive Opening Round performance that saw them hand St Kilda a 12-point defeat.

Collingwood’s midfield class and ability to control possession should again be central to the contest. Nick Daicos produced a masterclass last weekend with 41 disposals, while Josh Daicos added 36 touches as the Magpies repeatedly drove the ball forward through their elite ball movement. Dan Houston delivered one of his strongest performances since arriving from Port Adelaide, helping generate attacking chains from half back, while Jordan De Goey added a major scoreboard presence with three goals alongside his midfield work.

Adelaide are still searching for their early-season identity after an interrupted pre-season and are one of eight sides that did not feature in the Opening Round.

Izak Rankine still has two matches to serve from his suspension that carries over from last year and with Mark Keane and Dan Curtin on the sidelines, their depth will be stretched.

The Crows’ best chance lies in generating contested ball through their on-ball brigade and limiting Collingwood’s outside runners. However, the Magpies’ pressure and forward polish – particularly the likes of Jamie Elliott and Jordan De Goey, will make them hard to beat at the MCG, a venue that has favoured the Pies in head to head clashes in the past in what could be a relatively low-scoring affair.

Collingwood have won the past four between the two sides at the MCG
The last four matches have gone ‘Under’ the total points
Adelaide have lost 11 of their past 13 at the MCG
Jamie Elliott has kicked nine goals in his past four matches against Adelaide

Head to Head

The two sides met in the finals last season with Collingwood handing Adelaide a 24-point defeat. Jordan De Goey had 26 disposals in that match. They played each other on three occasions in 2025 with Collingwood 2-1 in those head to heads. The Magpies have won the past four at the MCG and the past three of those have been decided by 10 points or less.

Collingwood Form Analysis

Collingwood opened the new season with a dominant display driven by their midfield class and ball movement. Nick Daicos was outstanding with 41 disposals, controlling large stretches of the game through his ability to win the ball both inside and outside the contest. Josh Daicos was equally influential with 36 disposals, providing run and link play from the wing, while Dan Houston produced one of his best performances since joining the club from Port Adelaide, generating attacking drive from defence. Jordan De Goey also had a major impact, finishing with three goals while rotating through the midfield.

Looking back to the pre-season, Collingwood’s form was mixed. In match simulation against GWS they struggled to contain the Giants’ midfield dominance, conceding 16 goals while scoring 11. The Community Series clash against North Melbourne also raised concerns as the Magpies surrendered a 31-point lead before losing by one point, although both Nick Daicos and Josh Daicos again accumulated large disposal numbers.

Collingwood Team News

Collingwood got through their opening round match without any injuries and their list is in healthy shape. Darcy Moore and Jeremy Howe are edging closer to a return from calf complaints.

Adelaide Crows Form Analysis

Adelaide were the standout side of the 2025 home-and-away season, finishing first on the ladder with an 18-5 record before their campaign ended abruptly in the finals with straight-sets losses to Collingwood and Hawthorn. Their success was built on a powerful midfield unit and a forward line capable of generating heavy scoring bursts when supplied with quality inside-50 entries.

Their pre-season preparations produced mixed signs. Match simulation highlighted the Crows’ ability to generate scoring opportunities through their forward line but also exposed moments where opposition sides were able to transition quickly against them. In the Community Series they produced a solid performance, with the midfield generating strong clearance numbers and the forward line functioning well when supplied with clean ball movement but they went down to Fremantle by 14 points.

Adelaide Crows Team News

Adelaide enter the match with several key selection considerations. Riley Thilthorpe has been managing back soreness but is expected to be available after returning to main training. Izak Rankine will miss the season opener due to suspension and is also recovering from a hamstring issue, while Isaac Cumming and Callum Ah Chee are working their way back to full training.

Midfielder Jake Soligo has returned to full training after managing an irregular heartbeat earlier in the pre-season and is expected to be available for selection. Mitch Hinge’s availability will depend on how he responds to rehabilitation sessions during the week. Meanwhile, young players Mitchell Marsh and Charlie Edwards are pushing to make their debuts, while Toby Murray has impressed during the pre-season as a second ruck option.

Verdict

Collingwood Magpies v Adelaide Crows

Pies to prevail at the 'G' with Elliott and Nick Daicos pivotal. The total points 'Under' looks to be in play

Collingwood Magpies

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