Collingwood will take on Geelong in the 2011 AFL Grand Final next Saturday afternoon at the MCG.

It will be the sixth time the sides have contested a VFL/AFL Grand Final but the first in 58 years, with the Magpies winning the last decider against the Cats - in 1953 by 12 points.

That encounter came a year after the Cats defeated the Magpies by 46 points in the 1952 Grand Final.

Geelong won the first ever Grand Final between the teams in 1925, before the Magpies bounced back in 1930, the last of the club's record four-consecutive premierships.

The Cats won again in 1937, meaning Collingwood will be out to even the ledger at three Grand Final triumphs apiece in games between the clubs.

It will be Collingwood's 43rd VFL/AFL Grand final appearance next Saturday - the most of any club - and a victory will put the Magpies level with Essendon and Carlton on 16 premierships.

Collingwood's victory over St Kilda in the Grand final replay last year broke a 20-year premiership drought for the club. Before that, the 1990 success was the club's first flag since 1958.

The last time the Magpies contested Grand finals in consecutive years was 2002-03. The club lost in both seasons to Brisbane.

Geelong, the premier of 2007 and 2009, has won eight flags. Next Saturday's clash will be the Cats' fourth Grand Final in five years (2007, 08, 09, 11).

The most recent finals meeting between Collingwood and Geelong resulted in an emphatic 41-point victory by the Magpies in last year's preliminary final.