"All smiles for the Magpie Army as D-Day looms"
Peter Hanlon - The Age
"Every set of eyes boring into Luke Ball's hamstring yesterday morning saw something different - a limp that wasn't there, a spring they dearly hoped was."
"Ball trains strongly and Pies declare him definite starter"
Michael Gleeson - The Age
"LUKE Ball answered the lingering uncertainty over his fitness yesterday when he moved without restriction and kicked on both sides of his body in Collingwood's main training session of the week, leaving assistant coach Nathan Buckley to declare him a certainty to play."
"Malthouse puts faith in Cloke"
Michael Gleeson - The Age
"AT THE coaches' association dinner on Tuesday night, Collingwood's Michael Malthouse was presented with a scenario: last minute of the grand final, you need a goal to win the game, there is a set shot from 45 metres, whose hands do you want the ball in?"
"To become extraordinary, Thomas became ordinary"
Jake Niall - The Age
"ONCE, he flew high for marks, went on electrifying solo runs and attempted goals from improbable angles. But in 2010, Dale Thomas has merely flown under the radar."
"Weight of options a bonus for Pies"
Rohan Connolly - The Age
"Collingwood should have kicked a lot more goals this season, but is still the AFL's second-highest scoring team."
"Practice run only the beginning"
Terry Brown - Herald Sun
"It is only the Pies' second-last training run - not even the calm before the storm - but more than 10,000 lay siege to Gosch's Paddock, 20 deep in spots."
"Depth chart tips Pies"
Mark Stevens - Herald Sun
"Given there is still talk about Collingwood's Simon Prestigiacomo and Leon Davis and St Kilda's Steven Baker playing, where would they rank?"
"A Pie to the Max"
Bruce Matthews - Herald Sun
"So, Max Hudghton gets his chance in another Grand Final after all."
"Woods expect cash windfall"
Jon Ralph - Herald Sun
"Collingwood's potential Grand Final triumph is shaping as a cash bonanza for the club, with a massive windfall expected during the next two years."
"Presti firms as Magpies look to rein in ominous Nick"
Mike Sheahan and Bruce Matthews - Herald Sun
"THE spectre of Nick Riewoldt has fuelled speculation Collingwood will gamble on veteran Simon Prestigiacomo in the Grand Final."
"The intercept men"
David King - Herald Sun
"Collingwood is the best at forcing opposition turnovers for a number of reasons, but mainly because of pressure and structure."
"Hear the barrackers a shouting"
Ron Reed - Herald Sun
"Murray Weideman will proudly march with the Magpie army to the MCG on Saturday - and then walk away."
"Youthful Collingwood Magpies leave Simon Prestigiacomo on shelf"
Malcolm Conn - The Australian
"IT appears that Collingwood's Simon Prestigiacomo, the man recently fancied to stand St Kilda's Nick Riewoldt in Saturday's grand final, has been left behind."
