Collingwood Magpies News

Collingwood ruckman Josh Fraser says he will leave it to his coaches to decide whether he does enough to feature in the club's finals campaign.

"I'm not looking to kick five or six goals, but I'm looking to play the role that's asked of me ... the coaching staff will measure that and they will deem whether I've done enough," Fraser said.

Josh Fraser will finally play his 200th game after being selected in place of the suspended Leigh Brown.

The AFL tribunal has upheld Leigh Brown's striking charge and he will miss this week's match against Hawthorn leaving the door open for Josh Fraser to finally play in his 200th game.

Collingwood midfielder Scott Pendlebury says a Brownlow Medal would be just reward for teammate Dane Swan's efforts this year.

"For the last three or four years he's been probably the most consistent player in the game," Pendlebury said.

"This year's just another example of how consistent he is. He gets tagged most weeks and opposition clubs know what he's going to do but he somehow still manages to still do it, so he's a super player."

Collingwood forward Chris Dawes knows his spot isn't safe which is driving him to perform better.

"Obviously I'm confident of staying in there because I think the setup we have up forward is working but I'm wary that a poor performance will put real heat on me for my spot," Dawes said.

"It's not as comfortable as I'd like to be but there is a strong argument to say that it is a good thing to have pressure for spots because there is pressure to perform."

Magpies coach Mick Malthouse says Josh Fraser is still a chance to play his 200th game this season despite toiling in the VFL since round 12 after playing his 199th game.

"The longer you are down there, it gets harder. With any sort of luck [for] Josh down the track, hopefully we'll get him his 200th. The danger with that is he's been down there for a long time," Malthouse said.

Wayne Carey has says Collingwood midfielder Dane Swan could well be a superior player to Nathan Buckley.

"A couple of Collingwood players are now saying he's the best player they have ever played with and seen, and they are pretty big wraps for a club that's had the ilk of Nathan Buckley," Carey said.

"He's been in awesome form for three years now and is the favourite to win the Brownlow. You would have to say Dane Swan is on a par with Gary Ablett and (Chris) Judd. I think he's a superstar."

Collingwood forward Chris Dawes says he's not alone in feeling insecure in the Pies' powerful line-up.

"I don't have complete comfort in my spot, and I think very few blokes in our team actually would," Dawes said.

"This is my fourth year in the AFL, and I know they harp on about big blokes taking longer, but in terms of my development, it was probably frustrating that I wasn't at the level last year.

"I think I'm capable of holding my spot in an AFL side; I'm in there at the moment so I'm comfortable, but that's what you'd expect of a fourth-year player, I think."

Brad Dick's hopes of playing a part in Collingwood?s finals series are over after being sent for a shoulder reconstruction.

"The decision was made to have a full reconstruction on Tuesday afternoon," Collingwood football manager Geoff Walsh said.

"We expect him to be available for full training at the end of December. The shoulder hasn't responded and he has to have a full reconstruction."

Alan Didak says he has never considered plying his trade anywhere else except Collingwood after signing a new deal with the club that will see him finish his career at the Magpies.

"I think every player wants to stay at the same club where they started ... it definitely matters for me," he said.

"I just wanted to get my manager to speak to the club. We had early talks with Collingwood and it's finally come to a decision. I've always wanted to stay here. I never considered going to another club."

Alan Didak, Steele Sidebottom and Ben Reid have all signed new deals with Collingwood.

Collingwood captain Nick Maxwell says Alan Didak has shown how damaging he can be, even when an opponent tries to put him off his game.

"Dids gets tagged every single week, and everyone tries to get under his skin," Maxwell said.

"I'd be very surprised if he wasn't All-Australian [this year] ... just the way he's matured over the last few years with those roles. When someone's really getting under your skin and tagging you hard, he's just shown he can still be a very good player."

Dane Swan escapes with minor damage to his teeth after being attacked in a nightclub.

"Dane was struck in the mouth by an individual he'd never met before, causing minor damage to his teeth. As required, Dane left the scene immediately, contacted the club and returned home," a statement from the Magpies said.

Collingwood star Dale Thomas says a form slump last season prompted him to approach Magpies coach Mick Malthouse for a shift to the midfield where he has thrived this season.

"I suppose I threw it to the coach and said I would like to play in there (the midfield), and he has given me that opportunity," Thomas said.

"In a way, it was about trying to repay the faith from (the club) in allowing me to go a bit further up the ground. It is probably a bit easier to get a kick up there than playing on the half-forward flank."

Ben Reid shines on the Queen's Birthday stage to collect the NAB AFL Rising Star nomination for round 12 after notching 22 disposals against the Demons.

"It does feel a bit weird - I didn't even know I was eligible until I got told this morning that I had received the nomination," he said.

"Us big blokes come in a bit under-developed, where the midfielders come in a bit more developed than we are, but obviously a few pre-seasons in the gym to get your strength up really helps."

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse refuses to be drawn on the return date of star midfielder Luke Ball who has again succumbed to a recurrent groin injury.

"I think players who have an early history of (injury in a particular area) will have a long history of it. What they learn to do is manage their bodies better," Malthouse said.

"They know their bodies a bit better at 26 than what they do at, say, 18. It's also management by the fitness coordinators and the science staff and so forth."

Collingwood defender Heath Shaw is warned by a magistrate to curb his drinking or risk going to jail and ruining his AFL career.

Shaw faced Heidelberg Magistrates' Court where it was revealed he twice caught driving after drinking despite a court-enforced order for him to be sober while being behind the wheel.

"Have you thought about getting put into the dock there and taken away?" Magistrate Roger Franich said to Shaw.

"That happens on a regular basis for drink-drivers, you know. You're putting your whole livelihood in jeopardy, aren't you?"

Collingwood forward Travis Cloke's five-goal performance against Fremantle has given him even greater belief in his accuracy.

"I know that the goalkicking has been well publicised about not being great, but I'm feeling really good about it. I feel confident that no matter where I am I should be able to nail it," Cloke said.

"I've done a lot of work on it, so I'm hoping to continue getting some rewards."

Collingwood has suspended Simon Buckley from selection for the next three games after he admitted vandalising his ex-girlfriend's car.

"As a member club of the AFL, the Collingwood Football Club fully supports the AFL's Respect and Responsibility policy, and insists that all its players adhere strictly to the standards of the program," a statement from the club read.

Collingwood midfielder Steele Sidebottom reaches the quarter-finals of the international Name of the Year competition.

In the last 16, Sidebottom, who is seeded four in his division, defeated the top seed, Spontaneous Gordon, a woman from Wilmington, Delaware.

Collingwood's Scott Pendlebury is the 2010 Anzac medallist after tallying a team-high 29 disposals for the Magpies in a convincing win over the Bombers.

However, Pendlebury says the medal should have gone to teammate Travis Cloke.

"I thought Clokey set us up early, especially the way he played and kicked goals," Pendlebury said.

"He kicked a few good goals too, and he set the tone for us, even with a few of his tackles in the forward 50 that allowed other guys to get goals as well."

Outspoken Bulldog Jason Akermanis confirms that Port Adelaide's Kane Cornes is a stager but says he isn't alone in acting for free kicks.

"Unfortunately for Kane he's been doing it for many years and he's not the only one ... and the players know [who they are]," Akermanis said.

"Didak, I mean these kind of guys, you've got Leon Davis. And the umpires know it and they detest it."

Collingwood midfielder Shane O'Bree is dropped from the side to face Hawthorn in round 4 and Magpies coach Mick Malthouse says it was a hard decision to make.

"Professionally, you have got a decision to make and emotionally (you're) very attached to Shane and that's probably the most difficult thing I have had to do all week - and probably the last year and a half, two years," Malthouse said.

"He arrived the same time as I did. We've got one goal to see success at the footy club and the goal now is to ensure he gets back into the side playing the way we want him to play."

St Kilda will lodge a formal complaint to the AFL after a spiteful quarter-time clash during their game against Collingwood game.

Magpies coach Mick Malthouse and forward Alan Didak were allegedly involved in an exchange of words with Saints forward Stephen Milne during the fraca.

"I would think now we are going to make a formal complaint, and it being investigated, I would think that the players involved and the club will do everything they can to be honest and give the right information so that it all comes out," St Kilda midfielder Leigh Montagna told Triple M.

Collingwood onballer Dayne Beams hopes to put a pre-season hiccup behind him now that he is back in the Magpies senior side after tallying 27 disposals and a goal against Melbourne.

"It is hard, it's hard watching any game," Beams said of his stint out of the senior side.

"We've got such a good list at the moment and it's hard to crack a spot. I had to earn my spot back and I was able to do that and hopefully I contributed to our win."

Collingwood's Ben Johnson has appeared to suffer a serious injury against Melbourne at the MCG although the Magpies are optimistic that it may not be as bad as first thought.

"He seems to have hit the ground," Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse said after the game.

"I know there's a massive abrasion on the side of his knee that has caused some discomfort, [but] we're quite hopeful that he'll be all right."

Talks continue between Essendon and Collingwood as both sides seek to reach a compromise on naming a stand at Etihad Stadium after Bomber champion Matthew Lloyd.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire says he will support Essendon's decision to rename a stand after Lloyd as long as it does not affect the current Coventry stand.

"In promoting a current-day player, let's not denigrate anyone else. There is a reason why the Coventry name is there and that is to look back and remember how football actually got to where it is today," McGuire said.

Collingwood defender Simon Prestigiacomo is no guarantee to return in round three as he works to recover from a quad injury sustained in round 1.

Essendon's proposed plans to rename the Coventry End of Etihad Stadium the Lloyd End in honour of Matthew Lloyd angers Collingwood president Eddie McGuire.

"We don't go to the MCG on the weekend and pull down the Jim Stynes Room and call it the Eddie McGuire Room, we don't cover the Ponsford Stand and call it the Peter Daicos Stand," McGuire said.

"I'm not having a hissy fit for the sake of it. What I'm saying is there are ways of doing everything. Why do we have to upset people?"

Former Collingwood forward Anthony Rocca has returned from the US to a part-time coaching role with the Pies.

"I am excited to be back here," Rocca said.

"My role will comprise of one day down at the club during a training session and when possible I will assist on match day.

"It's not like Bucks needs any help but if I can provide some assistance with the key position players ... then that would be great."

Collingwood defender Harry O'Brien says he has put aside all his personal goals to help the Pies win a flag in 2010.

"All I want to do is play my role for the team and I've erased all of my personal goals - I want to be as selfless as I can for the team and I don't judge my game on possessions," he said.

O'Brien had to go through a personal tragedy in 2009 but still managed to perform despite this.

"I had a really difficult year last year - it was the toughest year of my life and I managed to get through and play the best football of my career," he said.

Defender Heath Shaw has declared that one day he would like to captain Collingwood.

"As a Collingwood supporter all my life and going through with my uncle and my dad captaining Collingwood, growing up pretty much that's all you want to do," Shaw said.

"You want to win a flag and you want to captain the club you barrack for."

Dale Thomas says new teammate Darren Jolly has voiced his opinions on what Collingwood needs to do to crack its 20-year flag drought.

"He's been there, and he's really voiced his opinions since he got down to the club on what it takes to go that extra step," Thomas said.

Collingwood skipper Nick Maxwell is confident that teammate Travis Cloke will reject any offers to join the Gold Coast in 2011.

"I'm very confident that that he'll stay," Maxwell said.

"Someone like him, you see how much work they put in and how hard they work, they're not sort of someone who's going to leave and jump ship.

"You can just tell, he's a Collingwood person. He's got a lot of strong alliances with the club, so I couldn't see him going anywhere."

Collingwood captain Nick Maxwell has declares his team primed for an assault on the premiership in 2010.

"I know you can get criticised from different people for saying as a club and as a team we want to win a premiership, but that's what we're saying," Maxwell said.

"And we don't think we are that far away."

Josh Fraser and Tarkyn Lockyer are replaced by Heath Shaw and new recruit Darren Jolly in Collingwood's leadership group.

"He's only 23, 24 years old now, so it takes time to mature and time to mature into an AFL footballer, so that's something that he's worked on, and we're rapt that he's in there. He's done a lot of good things already," Magpies skipper said of Shaw.

"He's really taking on young guys now. He's not just playing his own game - he's really trying to help the team and develop the young guys."

A spiteful NAB Challenge practice match between the Magpies and the Tigers results in allegations of biting and "dobbing".

Collingwood forward Travis Cloke has drawn the ire of Richmond after providing evidence that he was struck by Richmond's Jake King resulting in the latter being suspended and offered two weeks for his offence.

Tigers recruit Dylan Grimes was also involved after being allegedly bitten on the back by an unnamed Collingwood player.

Travis Cloke's manager and father, David Cloke, says the Magpie forward will resist the temptation to join the new Gold Coast franchise to stay with Collingwood.

"Travis enjoys it at Collingwood, he has all the way along, and he doesn't have any problem with the club at all," Cloke Sr said.

"Now it's just a matter of getting down to talking figures."

Collingwood forward Travis Cloke provides evidence to the match review panel against Tiger Jake King for striking him.

King is subsequently suspended for two matches following Cloke's evidence.

Collingwood ruckman Cameron Wood will be sidelined for the next six weeks after undergoing surgery to his left ring finger which he injured during the Magpies' NAB Challenge win over Adelaide in Alice Springs.

Magpie Travis Cloke, uncontracted beyond 2010, is the latest in a list potential targets for the new Gold Coast franchise.

"Travis is contracted this season and is focused on his football, but the club has said it wanted to start discussions and we'll go through that process. I've given them a couple of dates." Cloke's father and manager David Cloke said.

Collingwood assistant coach Gavin Brown says Luke Ball is not worried about facing off against his former St Kilda teammates in their first 2010 NAB Cup game.

"I'm sure they respect him and they've got a game to win, as we do," Brown said.

"So I don't know if there'll be too much of that going on. I think it's probably the furthest thing from Luke's mind."

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse says that Nathan Buckley is not yet ready to become Collingwood's senior coach.

"Nathan has got a lot to learn and that's why he would be the first to admit the role he is going to play in the next two seasons is important to him and for his growth," Malthouse said.

"Coaching the (Victorian Country) under-16s, that's a mile off coaching anything else and he admits that. He has a great appetite to learn."

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse has hit back at St Kilda over Luke Ball's transfer between the clubs following public statements by Saints skipper Nick Riewoldt that Ball had chosen to leave despite being presented with a contract.

"He would have agonised over this and being the kind of person he is he would have agonised long and hard and it wouldn't have come as an easy choice," Malthouse said.

"Players always know when they're wanted and if they're not wanted, it means really they should move on."

Darren Jolly dominated Collingwood's scratch match at Gosch's Paddock leaving his new teammates impressed.

"He can take a good mark down there, so he'll drift forward at times and have fair stints in the ruck and have his time on the bench," teammate Leigh Brown said of Jolly after the match.

"I think that's going to be a terrific advantage for the club."

Collingwood defender Harry O'Brien has appealed for everyone to treat troubled Mathew Stokes as a human being after the Geelong forward was charged with trafficking cocaine.

"Through his own choices he has placed himself in this situation. A situation which occurs frequently everyday in our country and around the world," O'Brien wrote on the AFL Players Association website.

"Mathew Stokes inherited the tag of being a role model when he entered the AFL. However he is still a human being."

"I would much rather focus on how to be proactive in the prevention of drug abuse and trafficking that affects the masses, than being reactive to one isolated incident."

Nick Riewoldt says Luke Ball initiated his move from St Kilda, and joined his coach in stating that the Saints have already moved on from his departure.

"With Ball, it was disappointing that he left. He was offered a contract and knocked it back and wanted to leave," Riewoldt told Triple M.

"I've spoken to Luke during the pre-season. I haven't spoken to him since yesterday when I said what I said. There is no simmering tension from my end. Luke is a player at another club now and I'm more focussed about us than I am about him."

Collingwood recruit Luke Ball is poised to face his former club in this month's NAB Cup clash.

Collingwood midfielder Shane O'Bree says he can't wait to see former skipper Nathan Buckley grow as an assistant coach.

"He is adjusting very well. Initially it was going to be different because he has played with the majority of the team," O'Bree said.

"With the way he speaks and how clear he is when explaining a drill, I can't wait until game day to see how he performs then and I'm sure he will be really good."

Anthony Rocca has decided to shelve plans to try out as a punter in the United States' National Football League so that he can spend more time with his family.

"I enjoyed my 15 years of playing football but it's time to move on," he said.

"Injury and age have caught up and I'm enjoying my situation and I get to spend time with my family."

Collingwood's US international rookie, Seamus McNamara, says the challenge of doing something unique drew him to Australian football.

"I'm all about doing something new and unique - for Americans, not too many people know about Australian football, unfortunately," McNamara says.

"To be the first to actually do it, I think that's pretty cool in my book - my goal at the end of the day, besides just kicking some tail out on the field, is to bring the sport over to America."

Brad Dick will miss up to half of the 2010 AFL season after requiring a shoulder reconstruction due to an injury he sustained while on Collingwood's training camp in Arizona.

Magpie recruit Simon Buckley being drafted by Collingwood will help him overcome the injuries that ruined his 2009 season.

"The first and most important thing was getting back on the track and getting my hip right. Obviously, the Lexus Centre and Collingwood have state of the art facilities," he said.

"It's going to be best for my rehab and getting me back up and training, which was one of the biggest reasons why the decision was made for Collingwood."

Collingwood midfielder Scott Pendlebury trained with the team on Monday after being knocked unconscious in a weekend attack.

"It was good to put the weekend behind me, get back into the first session after returning from Arizona, and move forward," Pendlebury said.

"I felt good and I got through the whole session. Now I just want to focus on training up until Christmas, and then having a break, before getting back into it in 2010."

Collingwood midfielder Scott Pendlebury is sent to a hospital after being assaulted in the early hours of Sunday morning in an incident in Lakes Entrance.

"Scott was out with his brother Kris and a few friends and was leaving the Lakes Entrance area when he was hit from behind at about 1.30am," a statement from the Magpies read.

"Scott hit the pavement in front of him and was unconscious. He was taken to a Bairnsdale hospital where tests have cleared him of major injuries. He sustained damage to his teeth and cuts to his face as a result of the incident."

The incident has prompted Collingwood president Eddie McGuire to label AFL footballers as easy prey for thugs after teammate Travis Cloke was similarly assaulted last year.

"We're going to bring it up with the AFL and the AFLPA. We're getting tired of our blokes getting targeted these days," McGuire said.

"There's obviously been trangressions in the past by footballers, but we are finding more and more that it's the other way around now."

Pendlebury's girlfriend Alex Davis was understandably distressed upon hearing the news.

"Kris rang me and told me not to be worried, but that someone had king-hit Scott and he was in hospital. I never, ever cry, but I just bawled my eyes out," she said.

"Kris said Scott had hit the pavement hard and it just made me feel sick. I've been told he's chipped his teeth and I'll just cry if I see his face and it's not the same."

Ben Graham has encouraged Anthony Rocca to chase his dream being an NFL punter, but says the task of breaking into the league will not be easy.

"Anthony has Sav in his corner, so that's a head start no one else can get," Graham said.

"You may only get one shot at it, and then it's the sacrifice and discipline and hurdles you face along the way. That might prevent a lot of people from pushing it further.

"I will never say to anyone don't give it a go, but then again I saw you don't want to completely turn your life upside-down for a dream that might not be there."

Collingwood recruit Luke Ball says he's 'supremely confident' that he can produce better form than in his time at St Kilda.

"Looking back I've probably only really ever done one full pre-season, if I'm going to be honest about it," he said.

"So I'm really confident that, provided I want to do the work - which I'm pretty sure that I do - that I've still got some good footy left in me."

New Magpie Luke Ball says that he has no hard feelings for his former club St Kilda after moving to Collingwood via the 2009 national draft.

"I've moved on from St Kilda with absolutely no bitterness or no resentment or anything like that at all," Ball said.

"I had eight fantastic years at the club. I thank them very much; they gave me an opportunity ... after eight years I basically just felt I needed a fresh start and a fresh opportunity."

Delisted Collingwood ruckman Chris Bryan is training to become the latest AFL player to try out as a punter in the US National Football League.

Collingwood defender Heath Shaw says former Saint Luke Ball would be a valuable addition to his side's midfield.

"He's obviously a quality player, he's been around the traps for a while and he's been captain of his former club," Shaw said.

"He'd definitely bring a lot of experience to the club."

Hawthorn is considering drafting an experienced ruckmen, one of Chris Bryan, Cameron Cloke, John Meesen, Adam Pattison or Wayde Skipper on Thursday night.

Up to 12 players, including Paul Medhurst, Josh Fraser and John Anthony, will stay in Melbourne instead of joining their teammates at Collingwood's altitude camp in Arizona.

"We've probably got about 12 that are staying behind," David Buttifant said.

"It may be for technical reasons, purely to work on skills or it may be rehab from surgery."

Former Collingwood forward Anthony Rocca admits breaking into the NFL is tough but will continue to work on refining his punting action.

"It is a very, very difficult to sport to get into," Rocca said.

"A lot of people think you just rock up and you'll be in, but you've got to kick torpedoes all the time and to do that is something that is not overly natural to us.

Collingwood defender Shannon Cox has told the club he has lost his passion to play top level football.

"Shannon returned from the post-season break and decided that he no longer had the desire and hunger to commit to the demands of AFL football," Collingwood chief of football Geoff Walsh said.

"We fully expected Shannon to be part of our 2010 list however we respect his decision to retire and wish him well."

Collingwood captain Nick Maxwell believes his side is definitely in a better position to challenge for a premiership in 2010.

"We're definitely in a better position," Maxwell said.

"We had quite a few guys who went through some serious traumas that you can never really judge.

"On top of that, we had some injuries at key times. I think the experience from this year, and even from the previous year with some of the young guys, has held us in good stead."

Nathan Buckley adjusts to life in familiar surroundings as a coach instead of a player in his new role as assistant coach of Collingwood.

"I was walking out to watch the boys setting off to do the 2km and I remembered what it felt like as a player," Buckley said.

"It's familiar surroundings, but obviously it's very different role and responsibility. It's all about relationships. Whether you're playing with them or coaching, the whole idea is to try and and help them be the best they can be and mould it into a successful unit."

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse hopes the addition of ruckman Darren Jolly will help the club win more ruck clearances.

"He's a premiership ruckman. He's competed against the best ruckmen and performed very well. We believe he will give us more offensive clearances," Malthouse said of Jolly while adding that the new addition may free up opportunities for Fraser to play in other areas of the ground.

"Josh might play as a ruck rover. He might play as a half-forward," Malthouse said.

Collingwood has delisted five players as they prepare for next month's draft including Chris Bryan and Danny Stanley along with rookie list players Toby Thoolen, Johnny Bennell and Kevin Dyas.

Colingwood great Tony Shaw is critical of Magpies skipper Nick Maxwell for voicing his opinion against trading for Brendan Fevola saying that there was no room in the team for the Blues forward.

"I reckon Nick has done a great job, but is he saying that's a club issue or his own issue? Because he shouldn't be commenting on recruitment at all," Shaw said.

"That should be left to the recruiting and administration and the coaching staff. As captain you don't even get involved in that stuff."

Retired Magpie Anthony Rocca encouraged his teammates to achieve the premiership he was never able to attain.

"One thing that as a player I'm going to regret is never winning a premiership," he told the crowd.

"It's always going to be lingering there ... I'm telling you guys - make the opportunity last, take it now."

Collingwood defender Harry O'Brien stole the show at the Copeland Trophy with a heartfelt speech about his tough year following the death of his stepfather, Ralph, at the start of the season.

"There were times this season when I'd lock myself into the toilets and start crying," O'Brien said.

"I didn't really get a chance to reflect on how tough a season it's been and just thinking about it right now, I've learnt so much this season and this has been a bad year.

"I can't wait til a good year."

Collingwood midfielder Dane Swan has won his second straight club best and fairest for the Pies with 57 votes, well ahead of runner-up and Magpie captain Nick Maxwell with 48 votes.

Josh Fraser decides against surgery for a chronic problem in his right knee, opting instead to undergo intensive rehabilitation.

"The surgeon was looking at the possibility of a PCL reconstruction," Collingwood football manager Geoff Walsh said.

"That would have meant a long time on the sidelines. We'll go down the path of a really intensive quad strengthening program."

Martin Clarke has decided against seeking a new contract with Collingwood to instead pursue studies and Gaelic football in his home country.

"My decision to return home was not an easy one," Clarke wrote on collingwoodfc.com.au.

"But I simply miss my home and the people close to me too much ... I am also looking forward to playing Gaelic football again.

"I strongly believe my best moments of my sporting life are ahead of me and at this stage and I want to show them on the GAA stage."

Anthony Rocca talks of plans to follow in his brothers footsteps and take up punting in the US following his retirement.

"I'm keen to try and get into the punting scene in the NFL, and I'll try my best to get a job in that arena, but if not I wouldn't mind doing some sort of part-time coaching role in the AFL," Anthony Rocca said.

"I'd love to stay at Collingwood because I love the place, it would be good to work behind the scenes."

Veteran Magpie Anthony Rocca announces his retirement after a 242-game career.

"I would like to thank the Collingwood Football Club for allowing me to have had the career I've had, and the Sydney Swans for giving me the opportunity to play AFL football, I'm very grateful," Rocca said.

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse says Scott Pendlebury is likely to play against Geelong despite suffering a broken leg just two weeks ago, but all could change on Saturday.

"The simple fact is that a player who can play at 80 per cent for 100 per cent of the time, in finals football, is better than a player who can play at 100 per cent for 80 per cent of the time," Malthouse said.

"We don't want Scott playing at 80 per cent for 100 per cent of the time, we want him playing closer to 100 per cent, but he's got to be able to play 100 per cent of the time."

Magpie midfielder Scott Pendlebury surprises by being picked for the team to face Geelong in a preliminary final only two weeks after suffering a fractured leg against St Kilda.

Leon Davis says coach Michael Malthouse is largely responsible for him earning an All Australian nod this year after he contemplated leaving early in his career.

"He stuck by me - obviously I owe a whole lot to him for having the faith in me and looking after me when I first came over," Davis said.

"He really did understand where I came from, and how hard it was for me to leave home and all my family - he really did understand and I owe it to him.

"I'm happy, and I'm very honoured to be an All-Australian for this year."

Magpie ruckman Cameron Wood says he and Josh Fraser can play together and thrive as Collingwood shape up for a showdown with Geelong in the preliminary final.

Wood was a replacement for Fraser in a semi-final against Adelaide after the latter was struggling with a knee injury.

"I think we can make a good combination, it's just the consistency of playing together which we've probably lacked a little bit," Wood said.

"We've probably played two games together, then been apart, then played another one here and there. So if we can string a few together I think we can make a good combo."

Jack Anthony kicks the winning goal with only a minute remaining after being awarded a free kick against Ben Rutten for holding in Collingwood's semi-final against Adelaide.

Collingwood key forward Travis Cloke says he hopes Anthony Rocca, who has an injured ankle, will be able to join him in the Magpies forward line in their semi final against the Crows.

''His impact and his voice is so important for John Anthony and myself, we're probably the younger ones in our forward half," Cloke said.

''I'm really hoping his ankle is fine and he's up and running again this weekend.''

Collingwood forward Travis Cloke says he hopes to improve his goalkicking accuracy against the Crows in their semi final.

Cloke has kicked 0.4 from set shots in the past two weeks.

"I've missed some sitters over the last couple of months," Cloke said.

"I've sat down with Anthony Rocca and (assistant coach) Paul Hudson.

"We've gone through what I've done right and what I've done wrong. I'm feeling very confident in front of goals.

"I missed that one on the weekend and hit the post, but I guess that's football.

"I think I'm slowly getting there and, hopefully, it's showing to the supporters that I'm trying to improve in that area."

Scott Pendlebury has a plate inserted in an operation after cracking his fibula against St Kilda in hopes that he can be fit to resume later in the finals series.

"There's some chance we can get him back playing in a time frame a bit less than normal, so maybe two weeks or a bit beyond he will be able to play - hopefully," Collingwood football manager Geoff Walsh said.

"Our medical advice and the surgeon's advice is that we won't affect him long-term by doing that, which was obviously a major consideration."

Scott Pendlebury is expected to miss next week's sudden death semi-final against in-form Adelaide after suffering what is believed to be a cracked fibula bone in Collingwood's loss to St Kilda in their qualifying final.

"We just didn't get the footy. Once we lost Pendlebury, there's good possessions. It doesn't matter how many he gets, they're good possessions,'' Magpies coach Mick Malthouse said.

Zac Dawson wins a re-match against his nemesis Anthony Rocca with the Saints condemning the Magpies to a sudden death semi-final after winning their qualifying final.

"Daws has really come on this year, and again we didn't ask for anything too special from him,'' teammate Lenny Hayes said.

''Just to stand his ground and he's done that all year, so it was no different today.''

Anthony Rocca has been brought into the Collingwood squad for Sunday's qualifying final against St Kilda, replacing Nathan Brown.