COLLINGWOOD captain Nick Maxwell has conceded the task of winning this year's premiership appears much tougher than the one the Magpies faced 12 months ago when they took on St Kilda in 2010 Grand Finals.

Maxwell said his team was better prepared for the hype of Grand Final week, having been through it twice last year.

However, he admitted the Pies were not in as good physical condition as they were in the lead up to the clash with the Saints, and were challenged by the fact they were the hunted and not the hunters.

"A lot of people always said to me the second one is always a lot harder than the first one and I couldn't understand that," he told SEN on Wednesday morning.

"I thought after you'd been there once and you've got that belief in the group, surely the second one is easier.

"I think everyone puts a lot more time into the group and works out individuals and the way the team plays so I guess it is a lot tougher the second time around in those terms.

"Also, you're expected to be up there and doing well.

"Our guys the last couple of weeks have played a little bit like that and a little bit too safe and worried more about losing it than winning it."

Maxwell said there had been benefits from the Pies' bad run with injuries and suspensions this year, particular with first-year forward Alex Fasolo coming into the side - and contention this week - after 12 senior games.

He also said he had spoken to young ruckman Cameron Wood over the past month to reassure him he was capable of stepping into the team if one of the first-choice big men was unavailable.

With Darren Jolly battling a sore groin this week, Wood could get his chance to return to the side for his first game since round 24. 

"We already have been to him in the last few weeks because he was pretty unfortunate to get dropped when he did," Maxwell said.

"He was someone who we thought played really well in the few weeks he was in there and then 'Jolls' came back from injury and it was disappointing for him knowing we have that one main ruckman and Leigh Brown as a back up.

"It was disappointing for Cam but we were really happy with his form and the way he's been training and we think that mentally he's taken a step in the past eight weeks that he may not have taken this time last year.

"We will talk to him but that process has been going on the last couple of weeks anyway."

Maxwell also said the Magpies had refrained from training on the MCG in recent weeks after some players pulled up sore from a session on the ground earlier this month.

Jennifer Witham covers Collingwood news for the AFL Website. Follow her on Twitter @AFL_JenWitham.