Download the Official MatchDay Program for the Grand Final

COLLINGWOOD isn't the popular pick with tipsters or bookmakers ahead of Saturday's Grand Final against Geelong, but coach Mick Malthouse could not care less.

Recap the Grand Final parade.

The manner in which the Pies struggled past Hawthorn in last week's preliminary final has raised doubts about their ability to win successive premierships, but Malthouse backed his team's preparation on Friday. 

"If we worry about what other people think then we're on the wrong track," Malthouse said.

"It's not going to change us or make us quiver in our boots or go into our shells or think the sky's falling. We'll get out of bed tomorrow morning and prepare ourselves, not by what the bookies say or what the media say or by what supporters say.

"We'll prepare ourselves as we would [normally]. We're not going to be sitting there thinking about who's the favourite or who's not … that's the last thing that's on a footballer's mind quite frankly."

View the selected side for Saturday.

Collingwood will be attempting to win back-to-back flags for the first time since 1936, but Malthouse doesn't believe his team will labour under the same weight of expectation as previous Magpie teams.

"I think the expectations on Collingwood far outweigh the reality," he said.

"It's been 75 years since we've found ourselves in this position and I now know why because it's a case of not wanting to lose the game.

The 'Ultimate Preview' for the big game against Geelong.

"The good thing about it is last-quarter form is good form. That was very good form [against the Hawks] and we'll take that forward with us.

"I think the boys for so many years wore the burden of not wanting to lose the game instead of being free to play the way we normally play.

"I just think that within the club … in its psyche, there's been this unrelenting expectation and I firmly believe that is behind us. I'm very confident it's behind us."

Skipper Nick Maxwell agreed the players had struggled with the expectations placed on them in the lead-up to the Hawthorn game, but said that was not the case now that the Pies were into the Grand Final.

"There was an expectation from us and from everyone that Collingwood and Geelong would play off in the Grand Final and that was from weeks and months ago," Maxwell said.

"You do hear it and you can't help but have it affect you so going into the game I think we did play that way, but we're free of all that now.

"We've made the Grand Final and now it’s the best team tomorrow."

After a celebrated career, Malthouse will hand over the coaching reins to Nathan Buckley after the match, but both captain and coach said that had not been a factor during the preparation and neither expected it would be an extra source of motivation.

"I know it's there but it's not an issue," Malthouse said.

"I preach, and have done from year dot, that as a player or a coach it's not about the individual - it's about the team.

"You win it together [or] you lose it together."