Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
How do you solve a problem like Marcus Bontempelli?
Out to kick their season into top gear, Collingwood must somehow contain an in-form Bontempelli when they face the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.
Both sides – in contention for a finals wildcard spot – are struggling for consistency, with the Bulldogs (6-5) holding a slight edge to sit ninth above the 10th-placed Magpies (5-5-1).
Collingwood fought off a spirited West Coast challenge to mark Scott Pendlebury’s record-breaking AFL match with victory, but coach Craig McRae has been forced to make at least three changes to his side.
Captain Darcy Moore (hamstring) is injured again, alongside Jamie Elliott (knee) and William Hayes (shoulder), with Charlie West (omitted) also among the changes.
Veteran key forward Tim Membrey headlines their inclusions, returning for his first game since round seven after picking up a hamstring injury.
The 32-year-old is joined by Wil Parker, Harvey Harrison and Angus Anderson.
While the Bulldogs are managing a lengthy injury list, star ruck Tim English’s return from concussion comes as Luke Beveridge’s side rides high after a three-point win over Melbourne.
After throwing away a 33-point second-quarter lead and trailing twice, Bontempelli stood tall in the midfield alongside Ed Richards to help the Bulldogs prevail.
McRae is well aware of the challenge ahead.
Asked how one would go about trying to limit Bontempelli, McRae said: “Yeah, just smile in admiration of how he goes about it.
“And try the best to take away his strengths, which is really difficult to do.”
A run-with role on Bontempelli is notoriously difficult to pull off, but McRae remained open to the option.
Magpie utility Harry Perryman has been deployed as a tagger when required, having contained St Kilda star Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera in Collingwood’s opening-round triumph.
“We’ll do whatever is required, whether we start that way or we have a plan,” McRae said.
“Sometimes it works well, and some teams … it’s just not going to work because they just move the ball a certain way, and it means you’re going to have one down in defence.
“It’s hard to tag in modern footy, but it doesn’t mean you can’t, and we’ll explore whatever that looks like if necessary.”
English replaces Luke Cleary (concussion), with the Bulldogs opting to delay fan-favourite forward Cody Weightman’s long-awaited return.
Weightman has not played at any level since the Bulldogs’ 2024 elimination final loss to Hawthorn because of a nightmare run of knee injuries.
The 25-year-old is in the frame for next week’s clash against Hawthorn, with the club hopeful the forward can slot seamlessly into the senior side.
