They just don't believe us, and we shouldn't care.

[Harrysz]

We've beaten Melbourne and Carlton twice.
We beat Fremantle in Perth.
We lost to Geelong and Brisbane by narrow margins and were very competitive.
We finished the H&A season fourth on the ladder. Fourth!
We've won 16 games - last year we won 6.

And yet, if we play any side that's half decent, most of the pundits will pick against us. Kane Cornes wouldn't pick us if his life depended on it. Damien Barrett says he's convinced that Collingwood is a force, but then always picks against us anyhow. Why is this? I suppose it's because of the narrow margins of our victories, especially against lower sides like North Melbourne or Hawthorn. "Good sides" should pulverise those sides by 10 goals +, and we haven't.

I don't take these tips personally. Apart from Caroline Wilson, I think that most pundits rely on what they know and believe, rather than who they like and don't like. Anyway, the thing is this. If all of the tipsters suddenly picked us to beat Geelong, that wouldn't increase our chances of beating Geelong. And if, as is likely, all or most of the tipsters pick Geelong to beat us, that doesn't decrease our chances of beating Geelong. I hope that Collingwood keeps flying under the radar and keeps surprising everyone. If we win the premiership Kane Cornes will probably complain that we've celebrated too hard, but seriously, who cares!

[BazBoy]

Barney is maybe a believer in an interesting comment he made

When doing presser Fly likened it to the “windscreen wiper” approach

What has happened wipe the windscreen clean so you can see forward and wipe what happened then see what can be done

As Barney said he liked the theory “Keep your message to players short and simple instead of a long monologue “

[eddiesmith]

Collingwood is 12-1 and Geelong 13-0 over the last 13 games yet they are overwhelming favourites to beat us.

It seems Geelong's 1-8 record in week 1 finals is irrelevant, oh well, we've got this far slipping under the radar, let all the pressure be on the Pussies.

[BazBoy]

Just have a crack boys and work ya butt off for your mate

[Magpietothemax]

Much prefer to be overwhelming underdogs in this game.
That is always the place from which we prefer to launch.
I am sure Geelong has all its sports psychologists on to it, and are emphasizing that we are a very dangerous opposition that must not be underestimated. But the fact that they will need to keep emphaiszing this to their players plays to our advantage. There is no danger in our mindset of even the mildest degree of complacency or over confidence.

[Presti35]

Geelong would have much preferred to be playing Freo at the MCG than to be playing Collingwood.

Guaranteed.

[Presti35]

[eddiesmith]

[Damien]

One thing everyone seems to agree on is how much they like watching us play our game style. Even though we are ‘Collingwood’ there will be a lot of neutrals in our corner in September.

[Piesnchess]

Much rather be the underdogs, let all the pressure be on the Pensioner Cats, I hope we can run them off their feet, have them gasping for oxygen late in the game, as we pile it on.

[think positive]

[BazBoy]

We have had an amazing year -won all but 5

Unearthed players and watched others grow

Seniors running and playing like their youthful days

Can we pull it off on September 24

[Croat Pie]

This sums up our year perfectly!
What a ride!