Sydney Swans co-captain Jarrad McVeigh said his side will be aiming to get the better of Collingwood’s midfield in Friday night’s Preliminary Final at ANZ Stadium.

Reflecting on the eight-point loss to the Magpies in round 20 this season, the midfielder said the Swans now understand the damage that can be done if Collingwood’s midfield group, including All-Australians Dane Swan, Dayne Beams and Scott Pendlebury, are allowed control of the game.

“We got smacked in the midfield (the last time we played Collingwood) and that was one area we weren’t too happy with, so we’ll have to rectify that this week,” McVeigh said.

“Their midfield has been playing really well with (Dayne) Beams and (Dane) Swan and (Scott) Pendlebury, and (Dale) Thomas is back in form now, so that’s where their guns are and we need to curb their influence and hurt them the other way.

“(In round 20) we were too far off those guys and we allowed them too much ball and if you allow Beams to have about 33 (disposals) and kick three goals, you just can’t allow that or their good players will hurt you.”

Just over six weeks have passed since that game and McVeigh believes that both teams have made significant improvements since round 20, and after watching Collingwood’s Semi-Final win over the West Coast Eagles last week, he said pressure football is going to be the key on Friday.

Just over 170 tackles were laid by both sides back at the ANZ Stadium clash in August (Sydney 81, Collingwood 90), and McVeigh said he is expecting the pressure and intensity to jump to a new level in a Preliminary Final.

“(Collingwood) were really impressive last week and we know what they’re about,” he said.

“Their pressure and tackling has gone up to another level and they are an experienced finals team, so we’re looking forward to it.

“I think at this time of year it’s the contested footy, tackles and pressure around the ball. That’s where it’s won and both teams have been pretty good at that this year.

“Last game we played it was fairly even in those areas so I think that’s where it’s going to be won.”

McVeigh is just one of seven current Swans who played in the team’s last Preliminary Final appearance against Fremantle in 2006.

After a six-year drought, the 27-year-old said the Swans must make the most of this rare opportunity.

“It’s a massive opportunity; you’ve got a chance to get into a Grand Final,” he said.

“You don’t get in these positions that often. I played in one in 2006 and I haven’t been there since, so you don’t want to waste those opportunities.”

McVeigh said he was also confident that the club’s younger players would not be overawed by their first Preliminary Finals berth this weekend.

“The (younger players) are alright, they’ve played in finals the last couple of years and they’ve got that experience,” McVeigh said.

“(The young players) are pretty level-headed guys and we don’t get ahead of ourselves and we know what’s required and we prepare just as normal and train just as normal.

“But this is obviously the biggest game that most of us will play besides a Grand Final.”