Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury is out to make amends in the club's semi-final against GWS after struggling to impose himself against West Coast.

The star midfielder is one of the Magpies' prime movers, but he was so sick with a virus in the pre-finals bye that he needed to go to hospital.

While the week off meant he could play in last Saturday night's epic qualifying final against the Eagles, Pendlebury did not exert his usual influence.

"I didn't have as much impact as what I would have liked, so probably more than anyone I'm looking forward to getting back out there on Saturday night and making amends," he said.

The Eagles were able to lift in the last quarter, with their midfielders reacting to a three-quarter time blast from assistant coach Sam Mitchell.

The last quarter is often when Pendlebury is at his best in a tight game.

"We were doing a lot of things right and that's probably why West Coast might have gotten a spray from Mitch," he said.

"It would have been nice if that was the second quarter for us and we probably would have gotten a spray from Harvs (assistant coach Robert Harvey) at the end of the game."

Pendlebury felt Collingwood will be better for the experience after playing its first final since 2013.

"Finals experience for them (West Coast) probably helped a little bit," he said.

"As disappointed as we were, there were guys who just couldn't believe the atmosphere, what finals was like.

"My message to them is if you enjoy it that much, let's make sure we win this week so we get another one."

Scott Pendlebury in action against the Eagles (AFL Photos)

After successive games in Perth – against Fremantle in round 23 and then the Eagles' Optus Stadium cauldron last Saturday – Pendlebury is looking forward to returning to the MCG.

"It's probably the loudest crowd I've played in front of, it's literally 60,000 people against you," he said of the Eagles' clash.

Pendlebury has no doubt the Collingwood faithful can have a similar influence, particularly on the umpiring.

"It would be nice if the fans can have an impact there. Any time all your supporters are behind you, cheering on, the atmosphere seems to be rolling for you," he said.

Meanwhile, although Magpies president Eddie McGuire blew up about their six-day break should they win through to the preliminary final, Pendlebury was more upbeat.

"I will be happy to have a six-day break, because it means we're in the prelim," he said.