Emerging Collingwood defender Paul Seedsman says the Magpies will attack Sunday's crunch clash against Adelaide as if it was a final as they look to re-energise their flagging campaign.
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Having dropped four of their last five matches heading into the bye, the Magpies clung precariously to eighth spot on the ladder heading into this weekend's split round. The contest is also crucial for the Crows, who sit one game outside the top eight.
Challenged by coach Nathan Buckley through the week to reprise "the heat and intensity" they displayed earlier in the season, Seedsman believes the Magpies are ready to push for a finals berth.
"You can build games up and put more emphasis on different games but this is there right in front of us, [we are] in eighth position, lost four of our last five, our form hasn't been great," he said.
"We got beaten convincingly by Essendon so this week against Adelaide, coming off the bye, we have to win. We know that and it can set us up for the next six weeks to give us our best chance of cementing a spot in the top eight so we can play finals football."
Asked if Sunday's clash at the MCG was the equivalent of a final, Seedsman said: "Definitely. Where we sit, every game becomes a final.
"Obviously, the form the last few weeks hasn't been where we want it to be. We have six weeks to get that right. If we get those procedures right and put in the work from Monday to Friday, we are confident we will get those results and the turnaround come game day. That starts this week against Adelaide," he said.
"Everyone says it's the most important game for us this year now. We can't look past that. We just have to go out there and get the four points."
The Magpies have made five changes, losing Luke Ball (back), Alan Toovey (back) and Dane Swan (foot) through injury, Nick Maxwell to retirement while Josh Thomas was axed because of form.
It will be the first time since round 12, 2006, that neither of Maxwell, the former skipper, or Swan will be in the team.
Jamie Elliott, Ben Reid, Lachlan Keeffe, Tim Broomhead and Kyle Martin were included. Reid has not played a senior game this year because of calf and quadriceps problems but his ability to play as a key forward or defender could be pivotal in shaping the Pies' fortunes heading into September.
While Sunday's clash is a stand-alone fixture, it has been scheduled for the contentious 4.40pm slot.
AFL chief Gillon McLachlan said statistical modelling over the past five years meant the league's prediction was for a crowd of 52,000. However, the league was now forecasting 48,000.
"It [twilight] might cost you a couple of thousand people but we will see. I am hopeful it will be more than 52,000 and will be above average," he said.
"I actually quite like the Sunday twilight slot but there are some things we got wrong with the fixture this year. I have said that and we will address them for next year."
