For all the ridicule around their relatively light AFL travel schedule each season, Collingwood relish the opportunity to jump on a plane.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It was a long-time focus under Nathan Buckley and first-year coach Craig McRae has bought into the Magpies' road-warrior mentality this season.
They've travelled with some success, testing Brisbane at the Gabba before steamrolling Fremantle in Perth.
And McRae has steeled his players for their next interstate assignment, against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night.
"Having been at an interstate club, (I know) travelling is really difficult," the three-time Brisbane premiership goalsneak said.
"But we go up there with a purpose and with the Fremantle game as an example, we'll be ready to play."
Gold Coast (7-7) and Collingwood (9-5) are in the thick of the finals race and their clash looms as the Suns' biggest home game since the two sides met at the same ground eight years ago.
In 2014, Gold Coast held on to win by five points despite star player Gary Ablett's shoulder injury, which proved a turning point as their finals bid crashed.
The Suns hope to make the top eight for the first time this year and an expectant crowd will be on hand to witness what shapes as a tough encounter.
"I don't know what they're preparing for, but I know what we are - we're preparing for a really good, hard-fought, contested game," McRae said.
"I did sharpen the pencil a little bit around what we need to make sure our focus is on: win the ball and pressure well, because that's what's coming against us."
Gold Coast have regained Connor Budarick (hamstring) and handed mature-age recruit James Tsitas his AFL debut, while Collingwood have lost key defender Jeremy Howe (illness).
Controversy-plagued star Jordan De Goey is back for the Magpies after a short stint away on personal leave amid the fallout from his ill-fated trip to Bali.
Plenty of rain is forecast in south east Queensland and McRae said that won't bother Collingwood, who can extend their impressive winning streak to six matches.
"Our last four games have been somewhat wet ... and we actually play good footy in the wet, but we also know what we're in for," McRae said.
"Gold Coast are really hard to beat at home.
"They beat Freo up there, they beat Carlton up there, all around the contest, so it's going to be a really hard-fought game."
Australian Associated Press
