Malthouse confident of turning tables on Bombers

Brains' trust... Mick Malthouse and assistant Brad Scott talk tactics at Magpies training.

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Friday, July 3, 2009 - 8:54 AM

Source: ABC News

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse is confident of avoiding a repeat of the Anzac Day match when his side faces Essendon in an AFL blockbuster at the MCG tonight.

Essendon kicked the final three goals to steal the Anzac clash away from Collingwood.

Malthouse says the side made errors at crucial times during the match.

"That happens, we've seen it happen time and time again," he said.

"The consequences sometimes are not as grave, but nonetheless, those things do take place and it's what you learn from it moreso than anything else.

"I think we've learned and gone forward."

Malthouse said the Bombers are a quick side.

"We know that they're a quick-scoring side," he said.

"I have the impression, and this is only an impression - I think you need to ask Essendon about this - but I don't think they really fear sides.

"They seem to want to back themselves, and that's a characteristic of the way they've gone about it this year. And full credit to them."

Bombers midfielder Jason Winderlich said his team has demonstrated it has no trouble performing on the big stage.

"So far this year we've beaten sort of our main rivals, in Richmond, Hawthorn, Collingwood and Carlton, so it would be good to beat Collingwood again, twice for the year as we have with Carlton," he said.

Malthouse has recalled Scott Pendlebury and Leon Davis for the Magpies.

Davis is back after a cold that forced him out of last week's match, while Pendlebury has recovered from a knee injury.

Essendon will be without Jobe Watson, but Adam McPhee returns.