CTV > Watch the Final Siren with Brad Scott

At the half way mark of the season, Brad Scott believes Collingwood has given itself every chance to push for a top four position in 2008.

After slipping to three wins and four losses after seven rounds, the Magpies have won four straight following Monday’s 21-point triumph over Melbourne, and sit in sixth position, a game behind fourth-placed Adelaide.

Speaking to CTV after the win over the Demons on this week’s Final Siren show, Scott said a 7-4 win-loss record gives the Magpies a good platform for the second half of the season, but the next three matches will be very tough.

“We’re in a position now where we can really make a run at the top four,” Scott said.

“It’s just a starting point, we’ve got a couple of really big games. Carlton-Collingwood is always big, that’s next week , and we follow that up with the Bulldogs and Sydney, big games coming up.

Melbourne certainly didn’t play like a team which had only won the game on Monday, and made the Magpies fight hard for the win.

“Full credit to the Demons, they were really worked up for this game and played accordingly.

“We knew they’d come out all guns blazing, luckily we absorbed their pressure and in the end got away with the win.”

With no Magpie booting more than two goals and the club registering 13 individual goal kickers, it was every bit a true team performance.

“To have a number of different goal kickers was good too, not to rely on too few.

“ We took a while to adjust, to be honest, their pressure was really good, we’ve pressured sides really well in the last couple of weeks, and the tables were turned a little bit today.”

The match the 150th appearance for Magpie star Leon Davis, who Scott praised for his efforts across the entire season.

“His (Davis’) season’s been outstanding, he’s really come a long way as a player.

“He’s no longer just a forward pocket who’s an opportunist forward kicking a few goals, he’s a genuine midfield option for us now, who can also go forward who can go forward and kick goals. He’s been terrific.”

Scott also identified Scott Burns’ superb 36-possession game as being crucial to the side’s victory.

“We really expected them to come out all guns blazing, it was important that we started Burnsy off in the middle and add some real hardness around the ball, and he lifted accordingly for us, and like a true captain should, he led the way.”