Collingwood premiership chances

Collingwood fans have reason to be excited after the weekend's clash against premiership favourites, the Western Bulldogs.

In one market, they were slashed from $10 to $7, and in another from $9.50 to $6.50.

The Pies' outfit was slick without doing too much out of the ordinary. Harry O'Brien and Heath Shaw at the back were outstanding and Leigh Brown put in a better than average performance.

But the thing which should make the competition stand up and take notice is the depth. Sharod Wellingham was near the side's best midfielder, Darren Jolly had a shocker and the likes of Lockyer, Swan, Didak, Davis, Johnson, Fraser, and others had good days at the office, without being outstanding.

Notably, the Pies didn't have a spearhead up forward. The Dogs were last year unpredictable and far from one-dimensional, which is a good lesson to all sides looking to constantly pick up one player. In short, Collingwood beat the Bulldogs at their own game.

Maybe if the Dogs revert to their old style of play and look for Hall as a decoy to eliminate two players from the forward line contest, they'll be a stronger outfit. Their midfield wasn't bad, but they were certainly out-drilled.