Pies and Roos have come a long way

WHEN Collingwood last prepared to face North Melbourne in a late-season dead rubber, the uncertain future of Magpies coach Nathan Buckley and Kangaroos counterpart Brad Scott was just about the only source of intrigue.

A lot can change in 12 months – Buckley and Scott have repaid the faith after signing new deals and their teams are playing scintillating football that has them in the hunt for finals.

Today’s rematch at the MCG is suddenly a must-watch.

The Kangaroos sit ninth on the ladder and can ill-afford to slip up with Hawthorn, Adelaide and Essendon breathing down their necks.

Collingwood holds third spot OPTIONS: North Melbourne coach Brad Scott. but is just two wins clear of the Roos and face a nightmare run home against Richmond, Sydney and Port Adelaide.

The return of towering American Mason Cox is a major boost for the Magpies given his importance to their structure, while the continued absence of tagger Ben Jacobs (delayed concussion symptoms) is a blow for the Roos.

Scott’s ability to swing powerfully built backman Majak Daw forward alongside Coleman Medal leader Ben Brown remains an ace up his sleeve.

“Trying to stretch them is an option but we also want to be able to pressure them in our forward half,” Scott said.

“Majak’s been primarily played down back for us this year and there’s a good chance that with Mason Cox coming back in, maybe Majak goes back as well.”

Injuries continue to trouble the Pies but key defender Darcy Moore’s confident return from a hamstring issue was a shining light in last week’s 35-point loss to West Coast.