> Josh Fraser speaks to CTV in the MCG rooms after the winCollingwood has continued its winning form heading into the final round of the season with a 41-point win over Sydney at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.
In positive signs for the Magpies, ruckman Josh Fraser got through his first match since returning from a knee injury sustained in the round 15 loss to the Western Bulldogs.
The 202-centimetre big man played in the ruck and up forward during the match, kicking two goals and collecting 17 possessions.
“It was a fantastic effort by the boys,” Fraser told CTV in the rooms after the match.
“We just seem to be turning up and setting a really good standard for ourselves. It’s a good sign of maturity and hopefully it holds us in good stead.”
Fraser, who provided relief to Cameron Wood in the ruck, was carefully managed during the match playing 70 per cent game time.
> Watch the team sing the song after the win“I felt pretty good. I was surprised that my fitness wasn’t too bad. I will be better for the run. It’s good to get that under the belt.”
It was the fourth time this year the two Magpies combined in the ruck, a combination which will prove pivotal to Collingwood's finals run.
“I think it worked pretty well. We have done it before pretty successfully and we have a pretty good understanding of how we play. The more we do it together the better we will be.”
The Magpies will enter the final round placed third, one game and three percentage points ahead of the fourth-placed Dogs. While they would have to be beaten badly to lose third spot, Fraser was admant the side will want a win next weekend to close out the home-and-away season.
> Watch Mick Malthouse address the media after the win“We have to win next week. Winning form is good form and we need to keep the foot on the pedal. You must keep winning, that’s the key.”
