Assistant coach Gavin Brown says Collingwood has put itself in a great position to control where it goes in season 2007.

Speaking to the media at the Lexus Centre on Friday, ahead of Saturday’s must-win clash with Essendon at the MCG, Brown said the sixth-placed Magpies have every chance to capitalise on the strong form they’ve shown throughout 2007 so far.

“I think it’s a position that we’ve earned throughout the course of the year. We’ve had some terrific wins,” said Brown.

“Our destiny’s in our own hands. It’s up to us to keep putting the right foot forward and keep doing all the things that we’ve been doing throughout the course of the year, and if we keep doing that we’ll give ourselves a chance.”

Collingwood’s chances will be boosted by the return of key defender Simon Prestigiacomo, who Brown said is ready to return despite not playing since round 10 with a foot injury, and will help the Magpies combat Essendon key forwards Matthew Lloyd and Scott Lucas.

“It’s probably an opportune time. Partly because of the opposition we’re coming up against, there’s no doubt about that.

“If there hadn’t been a match up for him, we possibly would’ve thought about playing a game for Willy.”

Brown also discussed the prospects of club captain Nathan Buckley returning to the side at some stage in 2007, after the 275-game veteran re-injured his right hamstring at training on Monday.

“I think he’s a chance to get back. There are seven weeks and hopefully finals. He’s had a few setbacks along the way, but he’s just so determined and single-minded.”

However, it won’t be a hindrance to the rest of the side knowing Buckley has had another setback, according to Brown.

“We’ve got seven rounds to go and Nathan hasn’t played a game, so to the players, I don’t think they’re thinking too much about it, they’ve got the journey without him at the moment.

“So to them, they’ve just got to get on with doing what they do best, and Nathan’s got to continue to try and come up and play.”

Brown admitted the way the young players have emerged and developed so quickly in 2007 and helped the Magpies to a position inside the eight has surprised him, and in some ways reminds him of how a group of talented youngsters came together during the late 1980’s before reaching football’s summit in 1990.

“There’s so many of them that have come in. To have the impact they have had, it’s really a testament to Alan Richardson’s development program. They’ve been fantastic the kids, they’re going really well.

“I think from my own experience, coming through with a group of six or seven players from the under 19 days, we played a few years together, probably from ‘87, and then went all the way in 90.

“There are similarities, there’s no doubt, obviously from a talent perspective, and the number of good players that are coming through together.

“It’s actually happened in the last two or three years, we’ve had a good influx of good young players, and they’re playing good consistent footy together.

“In the past, at the club, sometimes when you’re not going so well, players get a game and they possibly haven’t earned it and it’s good to see how they go for next year.

“At this stage, now, every one of them is earning their spot, and that’s what we want, we want pressure on the whole list.”