Wood looks for double trouble
Ruckman Cameron Wood says he and Josh Fraser can thrive as a ruck combination
Wood was called into the semi-final side in place of the injured Fraser and, after a slow start, did enough to suggest he's a good chance to keep his spot.
With Fraser in the mix to return this week, Wood said there was no reason why they couldn't play together and thrive.
"We've played four or five games [together]; we've won most of them," Wood said.
"I think we can make a good combination, it's just the consistency of playing together which we've probably lacked a little bit.
"We've probably played two games together, then been apart, then played another one here and there. So if we can string a few together I think we can make a good combo."
Fraser and Wood have played in the same team five times in 2009, with the Pies winning four of those games. The only game they lost when the pair both played was the round 22 clash against the Western Bulldogs.
When Collingwood played Geelong in round three they used Fraser and Leigh Brown as the ruck combination against Mark Blake and Trent West. The Cats won the hit-outs 46 to 24 and the match by 27 points after trailing by 20 at quarter time.
Brad Ottens will be the back-up ruckman instead of West this week and his presence puts a whole new complexion on whether the Pies take in two genuine ruckmen. Ottens was commanding when the Cats scraped home against the Pies in the 2007 preliminary final.
Wood said he hadn't faced Geelong much in recent times and would need to study up on Ottens and Blake this week. But he said the Pies had what it takes to beat the Cats.
"We are really confident. The past few times we've pushed them and beaten them here and there and obviously the VFL are in prelims as well so the mood is high amongst everyone at the club," he said.
"Going on the prelim two years ago, there was [a crowd of] 98,000 so it will probably be a full house on Saturday night which will be unbelievable. I'm looking forward to it if I get the chance to play."