Collingwood have improved since being punished by AFL premiers Sydney in May and are looking forward to the chance to prove it, says Magpies coach Nathan Buckley.
The Magpies were comprehensively outgunned by the Swans at the MCG in their last clash.
But Collingwood’s mauling of Essendon last weekend suggests Buckley’s team is building nicely towards an almost guaranteed finals appearance.
Now Buckley is relishing the chance to test what he believes is his team’s recent week-to-week improvement against the premiers at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.
“That was a comprehensive performance to them, a lesson to us, but we believe we’re improved on that and we get to test it,” Buckley said of his side’s 47-point defeat by the Swans last time they met.
Buckley believes his side had been trending towards the Essendon win, showing some strong really signs of improvement and good football.
And he believes there’s more improvement to come – this season and beyond.
“Over four quarters (against Essendon) we performed closer to where we want to get to than we have previously this year,” Buckley said.
“It was the most even, consistent performance that we’ve put together, mainly from a defensive and contested ball standpoint.
“Our ball use was pretty strong and consistent as well.
“But that does become a standard. We have exposed what we are capable of and we come up against a really good opponent in Sydney.”