Collingwood Magpies vs GWS Giants AFL Round 3 Tips - A Grind expected at Marvel

Jeremy Darke

Editor

Last updated: Thu 26 Mar 2026 09:03

Jeremy Darke 26 Mar 2026

Share this article

Key players for both teams are returning, boosting their chances in this grind expected match.
The game is likely to end under the 175.5 total score historically set in 7 of their last 8 encounters.
With a spread favoring Collingwood, the prediction leans towards the underdog Giants staying competitive.
The game will be played at Marvel Stadium on Friday, 27th March, with the bounce at 7:40 PM (AEDT)

Collingwood Magpies vs GWS Giants AFL Round 3 Tips

Collingwood Magpies vs GWS Giants, Round 3 2026 - Expert Prediction

Don’t expect a blockbuster on Friday night between the Pies and Giants, this one shapes up to be a grind as both teams look to find their feet in 2026.

Collingwood Magpies vs GWS Giants, Round 3 2026 - Expert Prediction
Head to Head Stats
Collingwood Magpies Form Analysis
GWS Giants Form Analysis
Collingwood Magpies vs GWS Giants Team List & Team News
Collingwood Magpies vs GWS Giants AFL 2026 Round 3 FAQ’s

The return of captain Darcy Moore and Jeremy Howe will boost Collingwood's chances, however, GWS also get some troops back with Toby Bedford, Aaron Cadman and Brent Daniels all expected to be cleared.

Both teams are leaning on their defensive pressure and the stability of their backline for their own reasons and that is what has me tipping the under 175.5 with some confidence. This total has only been surpassed once in the last 8 matches between these two, dating back to 2019.

With the line out to 13.5 in favour of Collingwood I am leaning towards the underdog here because I expect this match to be a grind between two teams that haven’t really found their flow yet. Collingwood push for possession and tight matchups while GWS have been wasteful inside 50. If the Giants can convert at any decent rate they will stay in this one.

Hunting for any decent edge in the props markets, the trend of Collingwood’s Patrick Lipinski over 20+ disposals is the best hit. Playing in the centre he has gone over that mark in both matches and with more forward ball expected from the Pies this week he is likely to get plenty of touches against the Giants.

GWS have won 6 of the last 9 against Collingwood, losing by over the 13.5 point handicap just once.
7 of the last 8 matches between Collingwood and GWS have gone under the 175.5 game total.
Collingwood average just 72.7 points in their last 10 matches played
GWS average just 63.5 points in their last 2 matches.
Patrick Lipinski has averaged 21.5 disposals in the opening 2 games for Collingwood.

Head to Head Stats

GWS have crushed the Pies in their last 2 meeting getting up in 2025 by 52 points in Opening Round backing up their 32-point win also in Opening Round of the 2024 season.

Collingwood Magpies Form Analysis

With both Darcy Moore and Jeremy Howe missing along with Reef McInnes also gone in the backline, Collingwood eventually gave in to barrage of attack from Adelaide in Round 2, going down to the Crows at the MCG for the first time in 12 years, 93-79.

The Pies had the Crows at arms length until the break, going in at half time down by 3 in a low-scoring contest that gave up just 67 first half points. However, the undermanned backline gave way after the break giving up six goals and 5 behinds in the premiership quarter.

With both Moore and Howe expected to return this week we will get a better look at what the Pies are in 2026. Collingwood’s pressure looked good in their victory over the Saints and also in the first half against Adelaide and if their midfield can now loosen and push forward with more safety at the back, they will prove to be tough to beat.

GWS Giants Form Analysis

After their shock 27-point victory over the Hawks in Round 0, GWS haven’t looked all that hot at all with their injuries taking their toll and have them looking like they will regress in 2026 after starting 1-2 after the first 3 matches.

Getting crushed by the Bulldogs was no surprise however a tough 78-74 loss to St. Kilda last week really pinpointed their inefficiency to be able to move the ball through their midfield. They were also beaten heavily in the centre 8-15 in Centre Clearances and lost the Hit-Outs 35-23.

Goal efficiency inside 50 has also hurt them dramatically, converting their third-most inside 50’s (60.7/G) at a 20.6% rate, the second-worst in the AFL.

Collingwood Magpies vs GWS Giants Team List & Team News

Collingwood Magpies: Both Darcy Moore and Jeremy Howe are expected to play their first games of the AFL 2026 season.

GWS Giants: Toby Bedford, Aaron Cadman and Brent Daniels are all expected to pass their fitness tests later in the week and be cleared to play. Jack Buckley entered concussion protocols and will miss the match.

Collingwood	POS	GWS Giants
B. Frampton, D. Moore, B. Maynard	B	H. Himmelberg, C. Idun, J. Laverde
D. Houston, J. Howe, H. Perryman	HB	L. Whitfield, L. Ash, J. Fonti
J. Crisp, N. Daicos, P. Lipinski	C	R. Angwin, C. Oliver, H. Thomas
L. Schultz, D. McStay, B. McCreery	HF	P. Gothard, J. Riccardi, X. O’Halloran
R. Steele, T. Membrey, J. De Goey	F	J. Stringer, J. Hogan, C. Brown
D. Cameron, S. Pendlebury, N. Long	FOLL	K. Briggs, T. Greene, F. Callaghan
I. Quaynor, J. Elliott, J. Daicos, O. Steene, S. Sidebottom	I/C	J. Leake, S. Coniglio, J. Delana, O. Hannaford, M. Gruzewski

Collingwood Magpies vs GWS Giants AFL 2026 Round 3 FAQ’s

How to watch Collingwood Magpies vs GWS Giants AFL 2026 Round 3?

You can watch the Collingwood Magpies vs GWS Giants AFL 2026 Round 3 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchAFL app is the perfect solution.

How to buy tickets to Collingwood Magpies vs GWS Giants AFL 2026 Round 3?

To buy tickets to the Collingwood Magpies vs GWS Giants AFL 2026 Round 3 game check the AFL website or the official Collingwood Magpies site.

Verdict

Collingwood Magpies v GWS Giants

This match is expected to be a grind with both teams' defensive structures playing the biggest role. Take the underdog Giants and the under game total with Patrick Lipinski getting 20 touches.