Plans to boost scoring can fuel finals upset: Treloar

COLLINGWOOD is confident a week-long strategy aimed at overcoming its goal kicking woes ahead of Saturday night’s elimination final against West Coast can fuel its charge back into the premiership race, according to star midfielder Adam Treloar.

While the Magpies will go into the Eagles’ clash at a hostile Perth Stadium as the rank outsiders, T reloar insisted they can turn what looks like mission impossible in the eyes of many into a platform for one of its most memorable finals victories.

Part of that comes from a “fire in the belly” of the Magpie midfielders who were “smashed” by their Eagles counterparts after quarter-time in the Round 8 clash where the home side dominated clearances and possession, leading to a 66-point white wash.

Treloar’s confidence also stems from the work he and his team have put into that all-important last kick inside 50m, which has caused the Magpies so much grief thisseason.

Collingwood hasn’t kicked 12 or more goals since Round 3 and has struggled to kick winning scores against the best opposition in recent months.

“It’s definitely a mindset of (’them against us’) going in,” Treloar said.

“We know it is an almighty challenge for us and a huge task considering they (West Coast) are a team that is fully fit, minus a couple of players, in front of a very, very hostile crowd … (but) what better way to silence the crowd and gett he job done.

“It fires you a little bit. We pride ourselves on playing well in big games and performing on the big stage, and there aren’t too many bigger stages than this .”

Treloar revealed Collingwood players – particularly the midfielders – are still smarting about what happened the last time they played at the venue.

After a strong start, the Eagles took control of the game through their dominance in the middle and inflicted the Magpies’ worst defeat of the year on them.

“They really smashed us there and they dominated clearance and possession ,” he said.

“It is something we know is going to be a big factor in the result of this game, and I know we are up for the challenge.

“They (West Coast) are a quality midfield group – probably the best midfield group with the All-Australian ruckman (Nic Naitanui).

“( But) there is a fire in the bellies of our players. I know we can rise to the occasion.”