COLLINGWOOD ruckman Darcy Cameron believes the defending premiers can still pick themselves up and battle to save their season.
The Magpies, chasing back-to-back flags for the first time since 1935-36, blew a 27-point lead in their “heartbreaking” three-point defeat to Sydney on Friday night.
It left Craig McRae’s side with must-win games against Brisbane and Melbourne in the final two weeks of the home-and-away season.
Even so, it may be insufficient to reclaim the top eight spot.
“We’re going to fight until the end with two big games ahead,” Cameron told reporters on Monday.
“The season has been insane, and as you witnessed over the weekend, the results simply keep getting weirder… (so) there is still hope.
“You can’t predict anything this season, so we’re just going to go out there and play our brand this week and hopefully things can fall in place for us.”
Collingwood has a recent winning record against Brisbane, having won last year’s epic Grand Final by four points and following up with a 20-point victory at the Gabba in round three.
However, plenty of water has passed under the bridge as the two teams prepare to renew hostilities at the MCG on Saturday.
The Lions raced into title contention after a nine-game winning streak before falling to Greater Western Sydney on Saturday.
Oscar McInerney and Darcy Cameron in action during Brisbane’s round three match against Collingwood at the Gabba in 2024.
“They’re a super tough opponent,” Cameron remarked.
“They’re definitely the most in-form team right now, so we need to be prepared and play our best.
“I’m sure the coaches will look at what we did well in the last two games (against Brisbane), but their game approach has changed significantly this year.
“We’ll look to what they did the last couple of weeks and I’m sure they’ll come out breathing fire after losing to GWS over the weekend, so we’ve got to expect their best.”
Collingwood held off a fast-finishing Carlton in round 21 before being swept away by the Swans last week.
The dramatic last seconds of Sydney and Collingwood in round 22
Cameron stated that the ability to withstand momentum shifts will be crucial against Brisbane.
“We aren’t out of it yet. “This game means a lot to us,” he explained.
“It’s our final home game, and if the ‘Magpie Army’ can show up and support us like they always do, which I’m sure they will, it will be huge for us.
“We’re going to go out there and execute our game style for 100 per cent of the game, not just 90 per cent like we’ve seen over the last two weeks.”
