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Collingwood had the grunt but lacked any spark in their AFL qualifying final loss to St Kilda.
Captain Nick Maxwell said one positive from Sunday’s MCG match is that the Magpies managed to keep the game tight, despite managing to score only seven goals.
“If you look at the best eight or 10 players on the field, I reckon probably eight or 10 of them were St Kilda players – there weren’t many Collingwood winners,” Maxwell said.
“To get that close and keep them to that sort of score, it’s pretty positive.
“We wouldn’t expect a lot of our guys who are quality players to have two bad games in a row, or three bad games in a row for some of them.
“We expect them to bounce back pretty quick and we take a lot of confidence (from) the way we’ve played against Adelaide this year.”
Maxwell was Collingwood’s best, playing another superb match in defence.
He had to sacrifice his rebounding game when moved onto St Kilda skipper Nick Riewoldt during the second half.
Maxwell doubts he will need to have a stern word this week with some team-mates who underperformed against the Saints – he says they will need no prodding.
“I don’t think I really have to – they all know,” he said.
“That’s the good thing about the group, players don’t want to let their team-mates down and that’s how you get success.
“You’ve got players who are more disappointed in themselves than anything, you know they’re going to bounce back pretty quick.
“I wouldn’t have to say a hell of a lot to our players because I know they’ll be pretty disappointed in themselves.”
Collingwood will have only six days’ break against Adelaide’s eight for their Saturday night semi-final, but Maxwell remains bullish.
He said the Magpies were used to handling short breaks and would have a strong home-ground advantage.
They also beat Adelaide at AAMI Stadium last month.
“We get to play on our home deck again next week in front of a Collingwood crowd and what else would you want?” he said.
“Obviously if you were travelling interstate, there would be a bit more doubt, but it’s great to know we’re on our home deck, we’ve worked hard to get that top-four position and (we’re) against a team we’ve played well against in that past.”
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