CTV > Watch the Final Siren with Blake Caracella
CTV > Mick Malthouse's post-match press conference

Collingwood assistant coach Blake Caracella described Friday night’s nine-point victory over St Kilda as "rewarding" and "courageous".

The Magpies are now back in the top eight after triumphing in what was a tough, gruelling contest, and can now take momentum into Friday night’s clash with reigning premiers Geelong in a win Caracella likened to the type of victory the team would’ve mustered last season.

"To get back on even terms at 4-4 for the year is a fantastic effort," Caracella told CTV’s Final Siren show after the game.

"I wouldn’t say we had a great game, but it was good to see what was probably a very courageous win actually, to fight back from three goals down, then to get three goals up and St Kilda came back again, and to finally win by a couple of goals was very rewarding for the players.

"It probably goes back to last year, too, when we tended to win the close games. We’ve lost two this year to Brisbane and the Kangaroos, so to get back on board and win a close game always helps."

A feature of Collingwood’s play against the Saints was the hardness and the tackling, something Caracella acknowledged.

"To beat a team like St Kilda, a very strong, mature team, you have to be strong around the ball. We had to make sure we tackled them and make sure they didn’t use the ball well."

Two players who sparked the Magpies and who Caracella, in his role as offensive assistant coach, identified as important on the night were Dale Thomas and Alan Didak.

"Dids rotates through the forward line and midfield, three goals, a highly skilled player, he probably kicked half his balls on his right foot and I don’t think he missed a target.

"When Alan gets the ball in his hands, you know if he’s inside 50 it’s going to be a goal most likely, and if it’s not, and he’s outside 50, he’s going to hit someone lace out.

"Dale Thomas’ intensity around the ball was fantastic, he’s obviously been down the last few weeks, but for him to come out and play the way he did was really encouraging."

It certainly doesn’t get any easier for the Magpies, who face the unbeaten Cats in a Friday night blockbuster at the MCG.

"Obviously we lost by under a goal last time we played Geelong, and played quite well that night, and hopefully we can improve on tonight and give them a real scare."