Where and when: MCG, Friday August 23, 7.50pm AEST

TV, radio and online: Click here for broadcast guide

What it means for Collingwood: A chance to finish as high as third if both West Coast and Richmond lose. A defeat could result in a cut-throat clash with the white-hot Western Bulldogs.



What it means for Essendon: Win and the Bombers will almost certainly remain seventh and face an away elimination final against Greater Western Sydney; lose and they will play an elimination final against either the Pies or perhaps even Richmond or West Coast.

The stat: The Magpies have won their past three encounters with the Bombers, restricting them to an average score of just 61.

The match-up: Adam Treloar v Dylan Shiel

The former Greater Western Sydney teammates might well square off at stoppages, where it will be a battle between the game's most prolific ball-winner Treloar (ranked No. 17 in the Official AFL Player Ratings) and the second-ranked Bomber (No. 34).

It’s a big week for: John Noble

The Pies' mid-season recruit has played two AFL games and both have been road trips to Perth and Adelaide, so he finally gets his first opportunity to play in front of a big crowd at the MCG. But don't expect the occasion to faze the speedy little man, who has made a strong start to his career.



John Noble leads the Pies off the ground after downing West Coast in round 17. Picture: AFl Photos



Big call: Essendon coach John Worsfold will become animated on the sidelines while Collingwood counterpart Nathan Buckley watches on with apparent indifference.

Prediction: Collingwood by 19 points