WHERE AND WHEN: ANZ Stadium, Friday, September 21, 7.50pm
LAST TIME: Collingwood 12.6 (78) d Sydney Swans 9.16 (70), round 20, 2012 at ANZ Stadium.
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MATCH DAY INFORMATION: Click here for all of Friday night's Match Day Information

The Sydney Swans host Collingwood at ANZ Stadium with a place in the 2012 Grand Final on the line. The Swans have earned the home ground advantage, finishing third on the ladder and then knocking off the Crows in Adelaide in their qualifying final. They now find themselves one win away from their first Grand Final appearance since losing to West Coast back in 2006. But a trip to Sydney holds few fears for a Collingwood outfit with an exceptional record in Australia's most populated city. Seven straight wins at Sydney Olympic Park, and 11 consecutive victories overall against the Swans, will give them plenty of belief as they chase a third straight Grand Final appearance.

THE FOUR POINTS

SYDNEY SWANS

1. Can the Swans find a way to put their horrible record against Collingwood out of their minds? While the losing streak is reason for concern, the Swans have lost the past two contests by a total of just 14 points. They also had their chances six weeks ago, managing 25 scoring shots to 18 against the straight-shooting Pies. And they may never have a better chance to end the streak, with Collingwood coming off a ferocious semi-final and a six-day break, carrying injury concerns.

2. The Swans have had a relatively settled line-up this season, with eight players featuring in every game and another four missing just once. Compare that with Collingwood, which only has the one man to feature in every outing, Travis Cloke. But Swans coach John Longmire could still have some tinkering to do this week. Heath Grundy will return from suspension and Ben McGlynn (hamstring) will be missing. Replacing McGlynn, who combines fierce tackling with valuable goalkicking, won't be easy. Mitch Morton appears likely to hold his place in the forward line and Luke Parker has been the substitute in the past two matches. Tony Armstrong and Tommy Walsh could be outside chances at selection.

3. Longmire has many Magpies causing him match-up headaches, including Dale Thomas, Dane Swan, Dayne Beams, Scott Pendlebury and Cloke. But it is a former Swan who could be his biggest challenge. Longmire believes Darren Jolly is bordering on career-best form, following his outstanding effort against Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui last week. He was also a significant figure when the Pies pipped the Swans in round 20. Longmire also feels, however, that Shane Mumford is nearing his best form following an injury-interrupted season. Their battle will be critical.

4. Is the Swans' midfield ready to confirm once and for all its elite status? Their midfield has blossomed superbly in 2012, with Josh Kennedy, Kieren Jack, Ryan O'Keefe, Jarrad McVeigh, Dan Hannebery and 300-gamer Jude Bolton all contributing to the cause. Throw in some cameo appearances from Adam Goodes in the centre and the outside run of Lewis Jetta and they believe they can compete with any midfield in the competition. But they are yet to prove it in the heat of battle against Pendlebury, Swan, Thomas and Beams and will need to if they are to force their way into next week's decider.

COLLINGWOOD

1. Collingwood's manic pressure is well and truly back. It has been building for weeks, and was on display at its finest against West Coast on Saturday night. The Pies had 25 more disposals than the Eagles and 20 more tackles, with the midfield brigade supported by excellent pressure from players such as Tyson Goldsack, Sharrod Wellingham and Jarryd Blair. Those midfielders, led by Dayne Beams (10 clearances), Scott Pendlebury, Dane Swan and Wellingham (six each), also won the stoppage battle despite the Eagles winning the brunt of the hit-outs.

2. Travis Cloke had a quieter night out against the Eagles than he did in the previous two weeks when he booted five goals against Essendon in round 23 and six against Hawthorn in the qualifying final. Still, despite being held goalless by Eric Mackenzie, he offered a strong presence and took two contested marks in the opening quarter. Cloke has typically been a thorn in the Swans' side and his return to form will worry John Longmire's defenders.

3. While travelling for a preliminary final to face a team that has had a week off isn't ideal, the prospect of venturing interstate in itself won't scare the Pies. They have an unbelievable record on the road, having won 10 of their last 12 since 2010, plus success at ANZ Stadium that includes eight of 10 contests against the Swans and seven straight wins since 2006. They've also won three of four finals interstate, although they've never played a prelim out of Victoria.

4. The Magpies' preparation will be a step away from their normal schedule to allow the players to attend John McCarthy's funeral on Thursday in Sorrento. They will adjust their training days so their main session is a day earlier than usual and will fly to Sydney on Thursday afternoon, leaving directly after the funeral. While there was never any thought of the players not attending, the impact of the scheduling changes, plus the possibility of any let down from last week's emotion-charged win, could be telling.

The views in this story are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL