> Watch Dale Thomas, Shane O'Bree and Tarkyn Lockyer address the media on MondayCOLLINGWOOD'S Dale Thomas says it was a long time ago, but he retains sour feelings from the Magpies' 2007 preliminary final loss to Geelong.
That Friday night match played in front of 98,002 at the MCG created traffic mayhem around the city and unruly scenes outside the ground when some MCC members – refused admission because of overcrowding – vented their spleen at officials.
The atmosphere that night was incredible; like a boiling stew, a gurgling volcano preparing for eruption.
And the game itself delivered.
In the end, the Cats won by five points in the final game for Magpie stalwarts Nathan Buckley and James Clement.
But the Pies exposed some serious cracks, a fact acknowledged by Geelong players after they romped to the premiership a week later against Port Adelaide.
That match also bred confidence at Collingwood, giving its players belief that it had the game and the players to match it with the Cats – anywhere, anytime.
"The biggest feeling was disappointment, I guess. I remember the siren going and that initial disappointment," Thomas told afl.com.au on Monday at the Lexus Centre.
"But it’s a long time ago now. Their side's changed a lot since then, and ours has too."
However, Saturday night's Geelong side might not be all that different to the one that took the field at this same stage of the season in 2007.
If Steve Johnson and Max Rooke are fit this week, there may be only two changes to the Geelong 22.
Nathan Ablett has retired, replaced by Tom Hawkins, while Josh Hunt copped a season-ending knee injury in the pre-season. Travis Varcoe or Simon Hogan are the likely replacements for Hunt.
Twenty out of 22 isn't a bad retention rate, and it is a factor Thomas says is vital for ongoing success.
"They are a fantastic side; you don't have to be Einstein to know that," Thomas said.
"They've got a really good group that they've been able to keep together, and I think that goes a long way towards the longevity of a side's success."
But the Pies appear really upbeat about their prospects, and few could blame them after their stirring come-from-behind win over Adelaide on Saturday night. The Pies were behind by 32 points midway through the second quarter before slamming on seven consecutive goals. They snatched the win with a late John Anthony goal from a free kick.
"You'd imagine there would be a huge crowd there this week," Thomas said.
"With Collingwood having the MCG as our home ground, I'm sure there will be a lot of the Magpie faithful there.
"We have played some big games in the past couple of years (against Geelong), but we've only played them once this year.
"Tomorrow is the big training session, so we'll get a presentation put forward about how we are going to go about hopefully getting the points against them."
Thomas has yet to find out his mission this week, but could again spend more time in the midfield.
"I had a varied role last week, more through the midfield because 'Pendles' (Scott Pendlebury) is out, but (coach) Mick (Malthouse) hasn't come to me yet about this week," Thomas said.
"It has been a year of different roles, a lot more defensive than my first couple of years. I've learnt a lot more about playing football at this level. When I first came in it was more about going out there, being left to your own devices a bit and doing what came naturally.
"I like to think that when I've been given a role, I've had a 100 per cent crack at it, and that's all you can do. If you come off the ground knowing you've done your best, whether you've succeeded or not, when you go to bed at night you can sleep quite easy."
