"Our best is enough: Malthouse"
Rohan Connolly - The Age
"IT WAS in April last year, after Geelong had comfortably beaten Collingwood by 27 points, that Magpie coach Mick Malthouse delivered a sobering assessment of his team's strength compared to its conqueror."
"Byrnes, Lonergan get the nod ahead of Mackie"
Martin Boulton - The Age
"GEELONG coach Mark Thompson has stuck by his plan to play Tom Lonergan instead of Andrew Mackie with the dumped defender again missing out tonight against Collingwood."
"Pies veteran running out of time to prove fitness"
Rohan Connolly - The Age
"COLLINGWOOD full-back Simon Prestigiacomo could be this year's grand final hard-luck story after missing out on tonight's preliminary final against Geelong."
"Blair's inside game makes it hard to keep him out"
Jake Niall - The Age
"His words to Jarryd Blair, Collingwood's small man, thus, carry the additional weight of a coach who has seen small players fail and flourish for four decades."
"Match-up we've waited for, arrives early"
Dean Laidley - The Age
"THIS game has been talked about for months, but unfortunately for both teams it comes a week earlier than most expected."
"Success in finals starts at the top"
Robert Walls - The Age
"Tonight, two of the best and most experienced coaches will match wits."
"For the love of Nick Maxwell"
Mark Robinson - Herald Sun
"NICK Maxwell's dad will have a present for all his son's doubters if Collingwood wins the premiership."
"Nick Maxwell Pies' true believer"
Mark Robinson - Herald Sun
"MEET the Maxwell family and you understand why Nick Maxwell is captain of the Collingwood Football Club."
"No wobbles here, declares Mick Malthouse"
Matt Windley - Herald Sun
"COLLINGWOOD coach Mick Malthouse is expecting no surprises from Geelong when the two sides meet in Friday night's preliminary final."
"Collingwood aiming to get its kicks on the straight and narrow"
Matt Windley - Herald Sun
"COLLINGWOOD forward Dayne Beams says until he stops missing critical shots that cost the Pies games he's prepared for the questions."
"Forget St Kilda and Western Bulldogs, the premiers are playing on Friday night"
Nick Quinn - Herald Sun
"That's the message punters are sending about Geelong and Collingwood, both $2.75 for the flag with TAB Sportsbet."
"When Harry O'Brien met Stevie Johnson"
Scott Gullan - Herald Sun
"ON Monday night, Geelong's Steve Johnson and Collingwood's Harry O'Brien crossed paths on stage as they were being positioned for the All-Australian team photo."
"Think outside the box"
James Hird - Herald Sun
"DAVID Wojcinski may hold the key to a fourth consecutive Grand Final for Geelong, and the key to unlocking Collingwood's box."
"Pies out to stifle Cats"
Jon Ralph - Herald Sun
"Collingwood forward Chris Dawes has warned the Pies' crushing pressure could make Geelong's star-studded outfit look "second-rate" in tonight's preliminary final."
"Repaying lifeline"
Matt Windley - Herald Sun
"Collingwood jack-of-all-trades Leigh Brown says he owes his career to coach Mick malthouse and football manager Geoff Walsh."
"The final word"
Glenn McFarlane - Herald Sun
"1. Taking advantage of the turnovers"
"Gosch, it's an omen"
Terry Brown - Herald Sun
"Nine days out from September's last Saturday, the Collingwood training session has the feel of Grand Final week."
"Ali the inspiration to bring down Cats"
Jay Clark - Herald Sun
"The Herald Sun can reveal a group of Magpie youngsters studied the documentary Facing Ali in preparation for the preliminary final stoush against Geelong at the MCG."
"Beams to turn pressure into diamonds"
Malcolm Conn - The Australian
"DAYNE Beams began his football dream long before arriving at Collingwood last year."
"We can beat anyone: Malthouse"
Courtney Walsh - The Australian
"THERE was a period recently when Mick Malthouse acknowledged Geelong, at its best, was unbeatable."
