ANOTHER finals campaign was the only motivation Collingwood captain Nathan Buckley needed when hamstring problems kept forcing him off the training track this year.
After only two senior games, the 35-year-old said he's still working his way back into form, but feels "cherry ripe" ahead of Saturday's elimination final against Sydney at the MCG.
"There's no doubt at various stages I wondered about my capacity to get up," Buckley said. "But all along, the fact the team was performing and winning games and positioning itself for September action was always a great spur for me."
He said playing on next year was "the last thing on my mind" as he prepared for his fifth finals series. "I've come in and believe I've been able to contribute to the team's performance," Buckley said.
"We expect an even contribution and effort from all our players and I'm just one of those guys."
Two wins against Sydney this year, including a 25-point victory 11 days ago, have given Buckley and coach Mick Malthouse enormous confidence they can chalk up a third win over the Swans.
"Fortunately, we've been able to beat them, so at least we go into the game with confidence know(ing) we can win the game of football," Malthouse said. "(But) I don't think they'll be shaking in their boots going, 'We have to change our game plan,' because Sydney have basically kept a similar game plan for four of five years."
Malthouse said Ryan Lonie and Paul Licuria could return, while ruckman Josh Fraser and forwards Alan Didak and Sean Rusling all are expected to be available after overcoming injury.
The Swans hope to get full-forward Barry Hall and defender Tadhg Kennelly back from injury, while small forward Amon Buchanan is available after serving a one-game suspension.
Sydney coach Paul Roos paid tribute to Buckley yesterday and said he hopes he plays on next year.
"I don't know whether he will (but) I think it will be great for him to have another go," Roos said. "Depending on his body and how he's feeling because it will be great for him to bow out having played some consistent football, rather than three to seven games."
Malthouse said Buckley's return was a bonus, but had little impact on the team's motivation.
"They're not going to perform at any less or give any more because Nathan is or isn't there," he said.
The Magpies coach also said his team would handle the pressure of playing against an experienced team with stars coming back.
"We can't be spooked by who comes in and who goes out of their side," he said. "We've got to believe in our own game plan and that's something we've lived by and died by this year."
With AAP
