COLLINGWOOD midfielder Tarkyn Lockyer believes Mick Malthouse's tendency to play young guns in key positions is what has contributed the most to the Pies' ability to perform well in finals.

Lockyer, 28, said the experience young guns such as John Anthony, John McCarthy, Chris Dawes and Ryan Cook have gained from the club's willingness to expose them to the big stage has been the best training possible for their development.

"They've just been thrown into the deep end," Lockyer said on Tuesday.

"You do all the preparation throughout your pre-season and the development coaches do a bit of extra work with those guys to prepare them for senior football, but there's no replica for getting out there on game day and getting match time into you.

"The fact we've been able to blood so many young guys is just a bonus and hopefully they continue to stand up.

"They've been terrific for us in playing their roles in the side and hopefully they can continue to do that this weekend."

Lockyer said the youngsters have also provided the side with "enthusiasm" and "freshness", as they embrace every opportunity to be involved in senior football.

He also said the side will have gained confidence from its recent elimination final triumph over Adelaide, given the circumstances the match was won under.

"It was a terrific match and it was just a great experience to have a young side like we've got out there to experience the finals atmosphere in front of a pretty hostile crowd," he said.

"To come away and for the boys to perform at the level that was required was very good.

"It's great to get a win like that and we get to go for another week. We've got another big opportunity this Saturday night against St Kilda, who didn't get the performance that they wanted, and they'll be well and truly ready to come this week.

Collingwood has won its past three games against St Kilda, including the spirited 14-point win the Pies managed in round 19.

"You can't read too much into history but [round 19] was fairly recent and it was a pretty good game," Lockyer said.

"The one thing you know you're going to get from St Kilda is the fact they're going to have a go and continue to do that all day.

"We're preparing ourselves as though it's going to be a really hard contest."

He also said the "underdog" status the Saints are claiming won't worry his side.

"I don't know if that's clear cut; they finished top four so they played some good footy," he said.

"I don't know if there's an underdog but both sides will be going out there to have a red hot go at it and the better team on the day will win."