<p>We’ve finally got a proper Thursday night blockbuster on our hands, with Hawthorn set to take on Collingwood in a huge clash at the MCG.</p> <p>Not too long ago, Collingwood were sitting 10 points clear on top of the ladder, and the Hawks were one of the feel-good stories of the season, right in the mix for a top-four finish. Fast forward a few weeks, and things have taken a turn. The Pies have dropped three of their last four games and lost top spot, while the Hawks are now fighting just to hang onto a place in the eight.</p> <p>After last Friday’s loss to Adelaide, the Hawks are clinging to seventh with 13 wins. They’re one win ahead of the ninth-placed Bulldogs and locked on the same number of wins as the Suns and Giants, who sit just above and below them. They're also just one game behind Brisbane, Geelong, and Fremantle—so the race is seriously heating up.</p> <p>It’s a tight spot to be in, especially with the fifth-hardest run home according to the fixture ratings. But there’s one simple way to keep things in your own hands—just keep winning.</p> <p>So, are we seeing the return of the Colliwobbles?</p> <p>That’s three losses from four for the Pies, the latest a convincing defeat to Brisbane. Their rock-solid defence, which has been one of their biggest strengths all year, is starting to show cracks. And now, some big questions are being asked of the side that’s spent most of the year as premiership favourites.</p> <p>Yes, we’ve seen Collingwood dip late in the season before and still go on to win the flag. But that won’t stop the doubts creeping in. Right now, they look vulnerable—and teams will fancy their chances against them from here on in.</p> <p>They’re also coming into this one off a five-day break, so they might be a bit weary. But they’ll definitely be looking to bounce back after last week’s performance—especially against a team they comfortably beat earlier in the year, and one that’s fighting for its season.</p> <p>The Hawks will be forced into at least one big change, with star midfielder Will Day suffering another injury and being ruled out for the rest of the season.</p> <p>Young gun Cam Mackenzie is pushing for a recall after a standout VFL game, and he could be one to help fill the gap. Veteran Luke Breust, who was the travelling emergency last week, is also a chance to come in. Changkuoth Jiath impressed in the reserves and could add some spark off half-back if given the nod.</p> <p>The Pies got through the Brisbane game without any new injuries and managed the returns of Jordan De Goey and Bobby Hill on limited minutes. Whether both back up again on a short turnaround remains to be seen.</p> <p>They’re still in need of some help down back, and Jeremy Howe is expected to return from injury. Billy Frampton also put his hand up with another strong VFL performance and could be in the mix.</p> <p>For all the latest team updates, match analysis, odds, and tips, check out our full Hawks vs Pies preview below.</p> <p><br /> &nbsp;</p> <h2>Hawthorn vs Collingwood Predicted Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Hawthorn Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Blake Hardwick, Tom Barass, James Sicily</p> <p>HB: Jarman Impey, Josh Battle, Jack Scrimshaw</p> <p>C: Massimo D’Ambrosio, Josh Ward, Karl Amon</p> <p>HF: Dylan Moore, Mitch Lewis, Jack Gunston</p> <p>F: Jack Ginnivan, Calsher Dear, Nick Watson</p> <p>Foll: Lloyd Meek, Jai Newcombe, Cam Mackenzie</p> <p>Int: Connor Macdonald, Mabior Chol, James Worpel, Harry Morrison, Conor Nash</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Collingwood Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Brayden Maynard, Darcy Moore, Jeremy Howe</p> <p>HB: Isaac Quaynor, Billy Frampton, Dan Houston</p> <p>C: Josh Daicos, Ned Long, Steele Sidebottom</p> <p>HF: Jordan De Goey, Brody Mihocek, Patrick Lipinski</p> <p>F: Bobby Hill, Dan McStay, Tim Membrey</p> <p>Foll: Darcy Cameron, Scott Pendlebury, Nick Daicos</p> <p>Int: Jack Crisp, Will Hoskin-Elliott, Jamie Elliott, Harry Perryman, Lachie Schultz</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Hawthorn vs Collingwood Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>Thanks to their dominant 51-point win just 10 weeks ago, the Pies hold sway in the recent head-to-head over Hawthorn, winning three of the past five matches.</p> <p>The Pies' defence is still stacking up as the best defensive profile in the competition, but opposition forwards are starting to get big on them and pick holes through it. For the second time in three weeks, an opposition key forward has kicked a bag of six goals against the Pies.</p> <p>With this recent trend, you would think Sam Mitchell opts to stick with the four-pronged tall forward line he rolled out against the Crows last Friday night, with the hope that one of Gunston, Lewis, Dear or Chol fires and hits the scoreboard in a significant way.</p> <p>The Pies have been accused this week of being ‘too Nick Daicos focused' in their pursuit of advancing the ball and directing the play up the field. While it’s hard to deny the young superstar and his impact, they need to take some of the load off his shoulders.</p> <p>Are the Pies' issues purely personnel-related, or do they have deeper problems? The Hawks were pretty good in Adelaide until the Crows hit turbo-mode late. We’re backing them to bounce back here.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/hawthorn-v-collingwood-9456235">Hawks</a>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>After starting as the sub last week in his first game back in a month and a half, it didn’t take long for Bobby Hill to be the spark in the front half that Collingwood had desperately missed.</p> <p>After a managed minutes run under his belt, we’re looking at a full game from the Norm Smith Medallist here, starting things off with the first goal.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/hawthorn-v-collingwood-9456235">Bobby Hill</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>There’s a gaping hole in the Hawks' midfield that needs to be filled now that Will Day won’t be seen again.</p> <p>Jai Newcombe is out of form, and James Worpel is a shadow of the player who won a Best-and-Fairest in his second season.</p> <p>It’s time for the vice-captain, Dylan Moore, to stand up and step into that role. Has put up 32 and 27 possession games in the past three weeks, and we’re tipping him to rise to the occasion here again for his side.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/hawthorn-v-collingwood-9456235">Dylan Moore 25+ disposals</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Hawthorn Hawks vs Collingwood Magpies Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Thursday, August 7, 2025</p> <p><strong>First Bounce:</strong> 7:30 pm, AEST</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> MCG, Melbourne</p> <p><strong>How to watch: </strong>Channel 7, Fox Footy/Kayo Sports</p>