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COLLINGWOOD defender Nathan Brown couldn't be more excited about the prospect of playing in his first AFL final this Saturday afternoon.
The 19-year-old said he has noticed a decided shift in the mood around the Lexus Centre this week, and is finding it easy to get swept up in the enthusiasm.
"There's been a lot more energy at the club. I've just come from training and everyone is enthusiastic and it's like the little injuries everyone has been playing with are suddenly gone," Brown told collingwoodfc.com.au.
"We're all ready to take on Adelaide on Saturday afternoon.
"It's good and everyone is feeling really positive."
Brown, along with John Anthony, Shannon Cox, Ryan Cook, Chris Dawes, John McCarthy, Danny Stanley and Sharrod Wellingham, is in line to play his first final at senior level this weekend.
He said the prospect of playing at the business end of the season is not daunting to the young group, and believes the players are well-prepared for finals pressure.
"We've got the youngest side going around in the finals series now, so there will be a few of us running around for the first time," he said.
"It is a different ball game with the standard and intensity stepping up a whole lot more.
"Us young guys are pretty level-headed and we'll take it on as a really good challenge.
"I don't think you can train for the increase; it comes down to experience.
"But I know I'm going to go into this game very excited and I'm hoping that will springboard me into playing a lot better."
Brown had a weekend off a fortnight ago owing to general soreness, and believes he is now in terrific shape with the trip to Adelaide looming.
He admitted to feeling sense of disappointment his first final won't be played at the MCG, but is feeling optimistic about playing at AAMI Stadium given the Pies have won their past three games there.
"It would have been nice playing at the ’G, but it's football and it's a ground with grass on it, so I guess it doesn't really matter," he said.
"Collingwood has a good track record there, and a good track record against Adelaide.
"We've got huge confidence going into the game."
He also said Adelaide's past two performances where they've kicked a combined total of 16 goals are hopefully an indication his job will be a bit easier on Saturday.
"It's a good thing for a defender," he said.
"It's hard to gauge. Teams come into finals with form but it's just a different ball game.
"A team that is struggling can come out and win every single game and win a flag.
"So it is a different ball game and we'll find out on the day how they'll go."
Brown is a chance to come up against his mate Kurt Tippett in the Pies' back half, with the pair – who know each other well through their previous lives as basketballers – likely to engage in some trash talk ahead of the game.
"I'll send him a few messages during the week so that will be interesting," he said.
"It's good to see him doing well. I played on him last time we played at the ’G, so it will be interesting to have a rematch."
