Few weeks have featured more discussion, debate and analysis from the AFL community about the number 11 – and it has nothing to do with Jim Stynes, Glenn Archer or Alastair Lynch.

Collingwood have taken the honours in their past 11 meetings with Sydney – the longest active head-to-head streak in the league.

Swans coach John Longmire has downplayed its significance ahead of Friday night’s preliminary final between the two clubs.

But what of his predecessor who led the Swans to nine of those 11 losses – and their most recent win over the Magpies in 2005?

“Every game is so different,” Paul Roos told AAP.

“If we were 11 and 0 against Collingwood, you wouldn’t even worry about the past. If you’re 0 and 11 it’s the same.

“I think that’s the attitude that all coaches and players take.

“And you don’t really ever worry about the last game – other than working out what did we do well and what did we do poorly.”

Collingwood assistant coach Rodney Eade was one of few in the Magpies’ camp to disagree with Roos and propose the statistic may have an impact.

“I think with the enormity of what the record is, it can have an effect,” Eade said this week.

“People say history doesn’t matter too much and most of the time it doesn’t.

“Whether it plays on Sydney’s minds, I’m not too sure, but it will certainly give our guys a bit of confidence.”

Some suggest the Magpies’ recent dominance over the Swans has more bearing than usual as seven of the contests have been fought at ANZ Stadium.

It’s an extension of the well-trodden argument that ANZ Stadium is less of a home-ground advantage for the Swans compared to the SCG.

Roos believed both assertions were wrong, but that even if they were true – it meant little at the pointy end of the season.

“I think at this time of the year, it’s less relevant anyway. Because the top four sides are playing in the preliminary finals,” said the Swans’ academy coach.

“It’s less about the venue now, it’s more about `can you bring your A game and defeat a really high-quality opposition?'”