MAGPIES coach Mick Malthouse believes a healthier list has helped Collingwood gain some momentum as it enters the second half of the AFL season.

Speaking after his team thrashed Melbourne by 66 points at the MCG on Monday, Malthouse admitted his side’s last three weeks had been a vast improvement on its previous few matches, when it had failed to be competitive.

With its percentage-boosting win, Collingwood moved to fifth on the ladder – which still sees a logjam of teams battling for a place in the top eight.

The coach admitted the margin might be vital come the final rounds of the year.

“We’re acutely aware of how close things are,” Malthouse said after the match.

“I don’t take any great notice of the ladder. Round 22 is the only time you actually should look at it, but we’re acutely aware that 5-5 can turn miserable if it’s at 5-6.

“On the other side, it can be a launch pad for the next part of the year.”

The Magpies booted the first eight goals of the match to set up the 19.12 (126) to 8.12 (60) win, and Malthouse said having more cattle to choose from was a primary reason for his team’s improved recent form.

“We’ve got a little bit of momentum; we’ve got a few experienced players back,” Malthouse said.

“I’ve always said ‘no-one remembers who you’ve got out’, so it’s just a matter of making sure that you try to get yourself competitive, which we weren’t for a couple of weeks four and five weeks ago.”

Just a month ago, it was a case of the walking wounded at the Lexus Centre, with big names such as Josh Fraser, Alan Didak, Dale Thomas, Travis Cloke, Heath Shaw and Paul Medhurst all missing matches with injury.

Malthouse was pleased that despite welcoming back senior players into the fold in recent weeks, younger Magpies had continued to gain opportunities.

One of those young Pies to grab his chance has been speedy forward Brad Dick. Against Melbourne, he booted a career-high five goals to show he is a player of the future for the club.

Struck down by a season-ending knee injury last season, Malthouse is looking forward to Dick providing him with yet another attacking weapon this year.

“He’s just reaping the rewards of hard work and an appetite for football,” Malthouse said of the left-footer, whom he said was capable of playing further afield in coming seasons.

“He loves the game … it’s not going to happen for him every week, but at least the effort is there.”

Collingwood lost Nathan Brown to a knee injury early in Monday’s clash, but the Pies are confident the key defender hasn’t sustained structural damage despite Brown leaving the field 20 minutes into the first term and failing to return.

He will have close to a fortnight to overcome the injury, with Collingwood’s next outing not until June 20 – against the Sydney Swans at ANZ Stadium.

Malthouse says match-winner Medhurst, who has not played since injuring an ankle against North Melbourne in round six, is likely to play in the VFL this weekend and could resume to senior football against the Swans.

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