COLLINGWOOD'S growing self-belief has the players primed for the challenge of facing rampant reigning premier Richmond in four days' time, coach Nathan Buckley says.
Buckley was most pleased with his side's defensive efforts on Anzac Day against Essendon, keeping its opponent to fewer than 10 goals for a second consecutive week.
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"(Conceding) 41 inside 50s, that's the most pleasing aspect of the game," Buckley said.
"We've got a really clear picture of how we want to play, we've got a really clear idea on the style we want to execute.
"Last week (against Adelaide) we hit it probably 85-90 per cent of the game, today was probably 65-70 per cent.
"Confidence is a minute to minute thing, we've got a bit more belief.
"We're now looking to test ourselves."
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Buckley said the Pies would quickly turn their attention to the top of the table clash with the Tigers on Sunday at the MCG.
"Once we're out of here, we won't be talking about Essendon or Anzac Day anymore, we really are (looking forward)," he said.
"We were strongly focused on the last three hours (of the Essendon game) from Adelaide, we had contingencies where we thought the dust would settle out of this game and what we were looking for into Sunday.
"We'll spend the next 24 hours executing those and being really clear on the way we're going to attack the challenge on Sunday.
"We're looking forward to the challenge of looking after our own backyard, to front up in as good a nick as we possibly can, and play and impose our game style on a really good opponent for as long as we can on Sunday."
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The Pies' Anzac Day team was unchanged from the upset win against the Crows 12 days ago, but Buckley has VFL best-on-ground Daniel Wells to consider, along with Darcy Moore returning from a hamstring injury.
Leader Taylor Adams hinted pre-game he was more likely to return for the round seven trip to Brisbane, rather than the clash with Richmond.
"The 22 boys who played unchanged today from last week have held their end of the bargain up really well," Buckley said.
"There wasn't actually a lot of clinches in the game (today), it was 48 tackles each.
"That's the lowest tackle numbers I can recall for a long time. That doesn't hurt us in this particular part of the season for us, given that we've got to dust ourselves off and go again pretty quick."
Three of the four emergencies listed for Anzac Day are yet to debut for the club and will come into the reckoning for Sunday as Buckley spruiked the club's "squad" mentality.
Flynn Appleby was among the best in the VFL, Brayden Sier and Sam McLarty joined Jarryd Blair as emergencies for the Bombers clash, while Alex Fasolo kicked four goals.
Jamie Elliott and Josh Smith will also be pressing their case after hamstring injuries.
