A fascinating battle awaits not just from a rivalry standpoint on Saturday night, but also strategically with Geelong and Collingwood both vastly different in the way they attack the game. 

While the Cats are refining their style and will be looking to minimise turnovers as the season wears on, the Magpies play a far more controlled style and look to possess the ball for long portions of the match. 

Despite their 4-3-1 record, Collingwood rank 14th in the AFL for points per game and have struggled marginally to impact the scoreboard, but they have also excelled defensively conceding the third fewest points of any team. 

With an intriguing matchup ahead and so many different nuances to the way they play, take a look at a breakdown of Collingwood's game, proudly presented by Deakin University.  

2026 Ladder 

Collingwood: 8th (4-3-1)
Geelong Cats: 6th (5-3)

Recent Games

2025, Round 8 - Collingwood 12.15 (87) def. by Geelong 13.12 (90)
2024, Round 18 - Collingwood 10.11 (71) def. by Geelong 13.13 (91)
2023, Round 22 - Collingwood 16.13 (109) def Geelong 15.11 (101)

Deakin Performance Stat of the Week 

Neutralising Collingwood's kick-mark style

Scouring the stats sheet, there is one particular trend that stands out above all else and that is Collingwood's kick-mark style. 

So far in 2026, the Magpies rank second in the competition for marks and average over 100 uncontested marks per game. 

They also sit fourth in the competition for total disposals per game, second for kick efficiency and third for uncontested possessions, utilising a brand where they transition the football with poise and control. 

It is a very similar trend to the one Brisbane have implemented in their successful era, something that Geelong will need to be wary of on the wide expanses of the MCG this weekend. 

2026 Team Stats - Collingwood

The Nick Daicos factor

You certainly do not have to be a genius or a football connoisseur to figure out who Collingwood's most dangerous player is. 

Even from an opposition perspective, you have to marvel at what Nick Daicos is able to achieve, already leading the competition for disposals and inside 50s this year. 

The star on-baller also leads the Magpies for clearances and score involvements, while also remarkably recording the second most shots at goal by any Collingwood player this year. 

Daicos collected 28 disposals and a goal in the last clash with Geelong despite receiving attention from Oisin Mullin, but expect the Cats to put some time into the brilliant midfielder once again. 

Capitalising around clearances

While there are several things that Collingwood do well, one area they have really struggled and looked vulnerable in so far in 2026 has been around stoppages. 

The Magpies rank last in the AFL for centre clearances, stoppage clearances and unsurprisingly total clearances also, despite how dominant Nick Daicos can be in that area of the ground. 

They also rank 18th in the competition for gaining the first possession at stoppages, while battling to convert clearances into scoreboard impact as they also sit last for scores from stoppages. 

Geelong rank sixth for stoppage clearances so far in 2026 and above the AFL average for total clearances, so look for the Cats to try and gain the ascendancy early and take control of this part of the ground.