Collingwood is capable of making a successful foray deep into September, according to small forward Jamie Elliott. But the key to the eighth-placed Magpies cementing a finals berth starts with Sunday's match at the MCG against 10th-placed Adelaide, he said.
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''If we win this game it will set us up better for the finals. If we don’t, it’s just going to set us back,'' he said. ''This game is a big one for us.''
The Pies have lost four of their past five games, while Adelaide went close to knocking off reigning premier Hawthorn in round 17. ''We’re approaching it like it’s a final and that’s how we’re preparing and we’re going to come out like that,'' said Elliott, who has been sidelined by a hamstring injury.
He felt the Magpies, at their best, could beat any challenger for the flag but were letting themselves down through inconsistency.
''If you talk to everyone, we’re capable of winning a premiership, but we’ve got to play very good football,'' he said. ''We’re starting from a long way back, but when you do look at our best we’re a very good team. If we don’t play to our best we’re a very bad team, so there’s a big difference in how our performances are between those two.''
In their most recent clash, also after a bye, Adelaide beat the Pies by 21 points.
Collingwood will be hoping Ben Reid will be fit. Reid has played two VFL games following his recovery from a quad injury earlier this season. Collingwood director of football Rodney Eade said earlier in the week that Reid was a chance for senior selection.
Elliott was flown to training by helicopter after a flight around the CBD to mark his 50th game on Sunday, a milestone delayed by a hamstring injury suffered against Carlton in round 15.
Elliott has already given thought to what he would do post-AFL, and after his 50th ''present'', he said his earlier idea of becoming a helicopter pilot was no longer on the list.
''I look calm but I’m feeling very nervous at the moment, especially getting down off there. I did mention that [helicopter pilot] before, but I think I’ll put that off for the rest of my life.''
Elliott said being on the sidelines as his teammates were walloped by Essendon in their last appearance was frustrating.
''I wanted to be out there and play my role and just help them, but the last couple of weeks have been disappointing for us,'' he said. ''It hasn’t set up our finals campaign the way we’d like. We’ve just got to look towards this week and move forward.''
Elliott said his recovery was complete and he was ''bouncing around'' and ready to play again. ''The body feels really good, I’ve trained a couple of times; I’m ready to bounce out of my skin, so I’m looking forward to it.''
