Poor record has Swans in fighting mood

The Sydney Swans have had a gutful of losing to Collingwood, with feisty midfielder
Kieren Jack declaring any of his team-mates who aren't ready for a battle at ANZ
Stadium on Saturday night should stay home.
Collingwood enter the game fourth, two spots and six points ahead of Sydney, who won
their last two matches before their bye, but haven't beaten any of the current top
eight.
The Swans have lost their last eight matches against Collingwood, four of those at
the giant western Sydney stadium.
Their chances of ending that streak were weakened on Friday by the withdrawal of
classy running defender Tadhg Kennelly with knee soreness, replaced by youngster
Gary Rohan.
Saturday's match represents probably the final opportunity for Sydney coach Paul
Roos, who will step down at the end of this year, to break his personal losing
streak against Collingwood counterpart Mick Malthouse.
While Roos joked earlier in the week that Malthouse had agreed to let him have a
long-overdue win, he has clearly been uttering more combative words to his team.
"If we want to play in finals and do well in finals we are going to have to beat
these teams," Jack told reporters on Friday.
"Roosy has made no secret of that, it's going to be a tough game.
"You've got to win the footy and you've got to pressure the opposition. We went over
some stats over the past few years that we've played them and we haven't been able
to do that.
"Our tackle numbers have been really down and they've smashed us at that contested
footy and they have been a real focus going into this week.
"The boys have said that we're sick of losing to Collingwood, we're sick of them
coming up to our home ground and beating us, so we think it's about time we got one
back on them."
Jack said ANZ Stadium on Saturday night would be no place for the faint-hearted.
"It's going to be a battle. Anyone who doesn't turn up for the battle shouldn't turn
up," he said.
Potential wet weather will only increase the physical nature of the contest.
And while the Swans are renowned for enjoying the clinches, Magpies midfielder Dane
Swan said Collingwood's prowess in those types of clashes should not be
underestimated.
"We've got some good hard bodies around the footy," Swan said.
"Everyone says Sydney like to create second stoppages, well we think we're not bad
at it as well.
"So hopefully it will be a hard game, it might not be very pretty to watch, but
hopefully it's a nice tight, hard game."
Sydney welcomed back full forward and leading goalkicker Daniel Bradshaw and running
defender Rhyce Shaw, whose inclusion will help offset Kennelly's absence.
The Magpies regained key players Alan Didak, Luke Ball and Ben Johnson, but lost
skipper Nick Maxwell (calf) and dropped ruckman Josh Fraser and forward Paul
Medhurst.
Jack, who hasn't played on a winning side against the Magpies in five attempts,
hoped the new-look Swans midfield would provide the key to breaking that drought.
"Collingwood aren't used to us having half-forwards that can play through the
midfield, so that might create a bit of a stir," Jack said.
"... I want to smack 'em, I want to get a win on the board."
But Swan said the Magpies' midfield inclusions were a big bonus and that Collingwood
had also earmarked it as a "huge game", given they can widen the gap to their rivals
outside the top four.