By Sam Gleeson

COLLINGWOD assistant coach Nathan Buckley says the player's consistent performances all year must continue in the finals series, starting with this evening's qualifying final against the Bulldogs.

Having finished on top of the table and beaten the Bulldogs twice this season, the Magpies go into the MCG clash as firm favourites.

"We understand that during the course of the year we have been able to perform consistently, we have to be involved in the game, subdue your opponent then to get the game won. The players have had to reach that level themselves and it starts from scratch every week. That’s the task to match and surpass their intensity if we want to get the result," Buckley told Triple M.

"I think there are some things in footy that don’t change; win contested footy and get the ball in the forward line more than your opposition."

Buckley also debated Collingwood's poor converting in front of goal, explaining many of the shots come from wide positions.

"It has been well focused on; we missed a few set shots, we kick a lot of points, we go inside 50 a lot and we are not afraid to play contested footy in there. We convert pretty well in front of the goal, but we do go a little wide at times and when you take shots out there you won’t convert as well."

By Sam Gleeson

MAL Brown, father of Hawthorn defender Campbell Brown admits he has not spoken to his son about his future.

The 27-year-old has been linked to the Gold Coast Suns all season and this afternoon's elimination final against Fremantle at Subiaco could mark his final game for the Hawks

"You never know in footy; you can’t say yes, you can’t say know, because I don’t know," Brown confessed on AFL Live.

"I don’t think it's money, he’s never been about money, He is 27 years old, he’s got a lovely girlfriend and he has to look at himself."

By Sam Gleeson

ESSENDON great Scott Lucas has not ruled out James Hird as the next coach of the Essendon Football Club.

Lucas was yesterday named on a three man panel, along with chief executive Ian Robson and football operations manager Paul Hamilton, who will decide the man to replace Matthew Knights, with Hird being linked.

“I don’t know that he’s out of the race. If you take it from face value, then it’s most unlikely. I haven’t spoken to him recently, almost deliberately its not something that i want," Lucas said on AFL Live.

Lucas is a former teammate and good friend of Hird, but admits he must respect the process and put friendships to the side.

"Now that I am involved in the process, their can’t be a lot of mate speak about this; this sits above that and I need to respect the process and take a step back.”

By Sam Gleeson

ST KILDA coach Ross Lyon admits the Saints will need to produce a better performance in the remaining finals if they are to challenge for the premiership.

Lyon was critical of the Saints last quarter and believed pressure contributed to the Cats fight back.

“I thought a lot of it was pressure, they only took eight marks inside their forward fifty. It was more general play and I thought they got a couple of high free kicks. It’s going to ebb and flow, three quarters doesn’t get it done against high quality teams, so you are looking for a four quarter performance,” Lyon told 3AW.

Lyon pointed out forward Stephen Milne as one of the best contributors for the club, particularly after receiving criticism over his poor record in finals.

“I thought he worked really hard, I thought he helped us function, he sacrificed space and he moves around a lot and I know his goals were obvious, but I thought he was a spark.”

By Sam Gleeson

ST KILDA midfielder Nick Dal Santo says the over-riding feeling was relief, following last night's four-point win over Geelong in the qualifying final at the MCG.

After a strong first half, the Saints went back into their shell and played a more conservative brand of football, allowing the Cats back in the contest.

"I thought we had a really good first half in particular against really good opposition. Obviously (I also felt) excitement realising that we get the weekend off and move through to the next stage," Dal Santo told SEN.

“I think when the rain came, we got a little bit conservative, particularly in that last quarter.We kicked it down the line and it didn’t give us a chance to score and attack and it gave Geelong every opportunity to rebound against us.”

By Sam Gleeson

COLLINGWOOD chief executive Gary Pert believes the playing group are the most focused he has seen them in his time at the club.

After finishing top of the table, the Magpies face the Western Bulldogs in a qualifying final at the MCG tonight for a place in the preliminary final.

"The playing group is the most focused and set that I’ve ever seen them...the rooms were just so calm  (after the win against Geelong in Round 19) for the playing group after such an important win and they have remained like that," Pert said on SEN.

The Magpies form has dropped off in recent weeks, with a narrow win over Adelaide followed by a loss to Hawthorn, but Pert expects the players to lift their intensity tonight.

I think consciously you don’t think you change your approach, but once you are in the finals and you’ve got a top four position (you do); we didn’t probably play at our best the last few games.

"I think you will see a very different team and a very different performance tonight, you don’t get a chance to make mistakes in these finals games."

By Sam Gleeson

PORT ADELAIDE forward Brad Ebert expects to be back playing early next season, after undergoing LARS surgery on his right knee last week.

Ebert is already riding an exercise bike, after injuring the knee during the Power's 29-point win over Melbourne at AAMI Stadium in Round 21.

"I was on crutches for a week ... and I started riding yesterday. That's one of the major benefits of the LARS," Ebert admitted.

"I won't miss a year and I'll still get a good pre-season in. As for Round 1 next year, let's wait and see. Right now, the knee feels pretty good - tight, the swelling still needs to go down, but it is working well."

By Sam Gleeson

ST KILDA coach Ross Lyon says the controversial free kick against James Gwilt during the dying minutes of last night's qualifying final against Geelong was the correct call from the umpire.

“I thought as the play unfolded, I thought there was a free kick there. No doubt about that...but they don’t get paid all the time.” Lyon said.

"It’s a tough night for everybody - umpires, both teams. You always need a little bit of luck after you worked your hardest. I thought we worked incredibly hard and I think in the end, from my side of things, we did a lot right to be able to say we were deserved victors.”

Lyon refused to discuss the possibilty of a Grand Final birth for the Saints, who appear to have an easy path to the last Saturday in Septemeber.

“All I know is my next game is a prelim final and we are going to have an elite opponent. I haven’t got that luxury. I look one week at a time and we prepare for what is going to be Round 24.”