Watch Mick Malthouse address the media after the win

AFTER kicking five goals in his side’s 66 point win over North Melbourne at the MCG, Collingwood midfielder Steele Sidebottom knows his Magpie teammates must keep performing if they are to pull on the black and white jumper each week.

With senior figures in Simon Prestigiacomo and Tarkyn Lockyer playing in the Collingwood reserves and with Josh Fraser and Sharrod Wellingham still to return from injury, Sidebottom admitted the pressure is on for spots in the side that has now won its previous four matches by an average of 62 points.

“It’s hard to keep your spot if you do have that down day when you are going to have people knocking on the door,” he told collingwoodfc.com.au.

“There is pressure on the boys to perform and I think everyone here is performing really well and keeping those guys out.”

 Watch Alan Toovey speak to CTV after the win

Sidebottom starred for Collingwood, kicking five goals and gathering 16 possessions, but is relishing the opportunity to play in a side that is now sitting on six wins and one loss.

“We’re in a bit of good form at the minute - the boys keep putting the same thing up every week and it’s hold us in good stead,” he said.

Taken at pick 11 in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft, the 19-year old says the reason behind the early season success of the Magpies is because of the team’s confidence in each other and their structures.

Watch the team sing the song in the MCG rooms after the match

“We back our structures and the things we go by and the boys will back themselves as well,” he said.

“As soon as you go away from your team structures and team values that’s when you start losing games.”

The last few weeks have been good so hopefully we can stick at it and keep it going.”

View the photo gallery from the 66-point win

Collingwood can’t afford to drop off as next week they travel to Subiaco to take on the Dockers who also sit on six wins and one loss in what is looming as a blockbuster clash.