Midfielder Sharrod Wellingham says Collingwood will be out for retribution in Friday night’s AFL blockbuster against reigning premiers Geelong.
The Cats kicked clear in the final term of last year’s grand final to beat the Magpies by 38 points and claim their third flag in five years.
Wellingham, a member of Collingwood’s 2010 premiership side, was also in the team that went down to the Cats.
He said there was no point harbouring too much bitterness about what happened in the grand final, but added there would be plenty of motivation.
“We’re certainly not angry, by any stretch of the imagination – you can’t really go around trying to play football like that,” he said.
“But all the boys who played in last year’s loss will certainly have a bit more emotion towards the game.
“There will definitely be something there that (we’ll) want to get a bit of retribution.”
While Collingwood will start favourites, Geelong have beaten them in six of their last eight matches.
Wellingham is not reading too much into the Cats’ patchy form of late.
“Geelong have shown over the last few years that they’re always going to take it up against us,” he said.
“They might not be in the best form over the last couple of weeks, but … they can get themselves up for the big games, we know they’re going to be ready for us.”
Wellingham denied Geelong’s strong form against Collingwood would give the Cats a mental edge.
“You can’t go into any game worrying about how much of a mental edge they might have over you – otherwise you’re just going in with the wrong mentality,” he said.
“If we play the way we want to play, we’ll be able to get the edge over them.”
Collingwood could regain key players Darren Jolly and Dale Thomas for Friday night’s MCG clash.
Wellingham was speaking at the launch of Collingwood’s Barrawarn program, where the club’s foundation will contribute $500,000 to an indigenous traineeship scheme in Victoria.
The Magpies launched the program as part of the AFL’s indigenous week.
“It certainly makes you feel very proud to be indigenous,” Wellingham said of the league’s recognition.
“It’s a great program that they’ve set up at the club.”