Event of the Day: Melbourne versus Collingwood
Our event of the day is the Round 12 showdown between the Melbourne Demons and the Collingwood Magpies in AFL action. Held to mark the Queen’s birthday, this is an annual match between the two rivals at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Considered by many pundits to be the Match of the Round, the surging Magpies will look to take down the scorching hot Demons. Both teams are in great form and in the midst of winning streaks. The Demons, sitting in fourth place, have won six straight games heading into today’s match. Collingwood are on a three game win streak of their own, with a record of 7-4, good enough for 7th place on the AFL ladder. An attendance of at least 80,000 is expected at the iconic MCG. The fans are in for a real treat. This is the first time since 2006 that both the Magpies and Demons have been in the top eight when they face each other in the Queen’s Birthday match.
Melbourne, led by Jesse Hogan and his 31 goals this season, are the highest scoring squad in the AFL through 11 rounds. They are averaging 15.9 goals per match and have a total of 175 for the campaign so far. Collingwood is ranked number one in the competition for the average number of disposals per game with 418.5. Both teams have very strong midfields so whichever side has the advantage in that part of the pitch may very well come away with the victory. Both teams have byes next weekend so they will be eager to earn a win going into their break. Expect a high-scoring, entertaining match between these two as they lay it all on the line in Melbourne.
Honourable mentions around the globe go the National Rugby League clash between the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and the St George Illawarra Dragons at the ANZ Stadium in Sydney. Currently sitting in 15th place in the NRL standings, the Dogs will try to knock off the 2nd place Dragons. With a 2-3 record on the road this season and coming off a 28-2 defeat at the hands of the Penrith Panthers, the Dragons appear to be slightly vulnerable. In a selection of International Football Friendlies, Senegal play South Korea at Das.Goldberg-Stadion in Grödig, Austria. Belgium and Costa Rica play their final tune-up match prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The friendly will be played at King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels. The Milwaukee Brewers play host to the Chicago Cubs in Major League Baseball at Miller Park. In Tennis, the WTA World Tour and ATP World Tour continue as the Libéma Open starts up at Autotron Rosmalen in the Netherlands. In cricket, there are three County Cricket Championship Division One matches going on with Somerset and Nottinghamshire at the Taunton Country Ground as game of the day.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by AFL