The Magpies will benefit from being interstate later this week as they continue to grieve for former teammate John McCarthy, says ruckman Darren Jolly.

The Pies' Preliminary Final preparation for Friday night's clash with the Sydney Swans at ANZ Stadium has changed this week to factor in McCarthy's funeral on Thursday morning.

After the funeral in McCarthy's hometown of Sorrento, the the team will drive directly to Melbourne Airport to fly to Sydney that afternoon.

View our photos from Collingwood's emotional win on Saturday night.

"It's probably really good in the end, to get away out of Melbourne," Jolly said on Monday.

"[The funeral] will be an emotional time for the boys.

"Then to go away and spend some time with each other and get around as a team and take it in for Friday is probably good."

Defender Harry O'Brien felt the players had got the balance of grief and motivation right for Saturday night's Semi-Final against West Coast right.

He also said being there for each other was what got them through the past seven days.

"When you come under moments of stress like we have, it galvanises the group together and that's the only thing that gets you through," O'Brien said.

"Having that experience a few years back with the grieving process myself [with the death of his stepfather, Ralph, in 2009], I know for a fact that's the only way you can get through - by sticking together.

"Drawing on my experiences of the grieving process, you shouldn't feel guilty for feeling bad at times.

"One thing I do know and something I learnt the week just gone is you still can function and the weight comes off you if you know the person next to you is feeling the same and will help you through.

Relive all the passion and excitement from the Semi-Final win.

"I think we've dealt with it as best we can and it's been something that's been very difficult to go through and we're still going through that process, the grieving process, but it's certainly galvanised the group."

Jolly says there isn't any secret formula to explain why the Pies play so well away from home but the statistics speak for themselves.

They've won 10 of their last 12 interstate matches, including seven straight wins at ANZ Stadium since 2006.

"I don't know whether it makes us a bit closer come game day and we've got to perform for each other," he said.

"Our record away from Melbourne is pretty good and we'll be hoping that extends on Friday night."

Injured duo Chris Dawes (knee) and Alan Didak (calf) will be given time to prove their fitness ahead of Friday, with the club remaining optimistic both will play.

"I think it's super important they both play. They're important players to our side," Jolly said.

"They were here today. It was hard to gauge how they were today because hardly anyone did anything today.

"They were up and about so I'm sure on Wednesday we'll get an indication of whether they can get up or not."

Jennifer Witham is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow her on Twitter @AFL_JenWitham.