Collingwood at 9s to make the 8

Collingwood need a miracle to make the AFL finals this year and out of the 4 teams that still can or can’t finish in the top 8 the Pies are the long shots to sneak in. Sportingbet which offers up to $200 in free bets for new customers has Collingwood just under double digits to make this year’s finals but while there’s still a slim hope the Pies will still believe.

Currently ninth heading into the final round Collingwood need to win and hope results fall their way. But that’s easier said than done. The Pies take on Hawthorn on Friday night and their season may be over before the rest of round 23 begins. The Hawks are currently second and have plenty to play for as they race Sydney to the Minor premiership. The reigning premiers will need to beat Collingwood and hope the Swans lose to Richmond.

The Hawks should still be flying after a stirring comeback against Geelong in their last match.  Having trailed by 33 points in the third term they kicked 10 consecutive goals in less than 2 quarters to claim a stunning 23 point win. If they start Friday night’s match in the same style they ended round 22 the Pies could be in for a long night.

Collingwood have been inconsistent this season and have faltered when it matters most. The Black and Whites were last in the 8 after round 18 but have bounced between ninth and tenth since. They scraped past Great Western Sydney by 8 to keep their faintest of finals hopes alive but will need some sort of performance to knock off their next opponents. If the Pies manage an upset they’ll then need both Richmond and Essendon to lose. And while the Tigers take on the ladder leaders, Essendon have a very winnable game against cellar dwellers St Kilda.

Hawthorn are at ‘Roger Federer in the first round of a major open’ odds to win on Sportingbet’s head to head market, and if you fancy the Pies to cause an upset but still miss the top 8 that might be a way to go. While the Hawks have hopes of securing back to back flags the Pies know this could be their last game this season and in the first battle between these birds this year anything could happen.