COLLINGWOOD coach Mick Malthouse has backed Leon Davis to make a strong contribution to the side after he and veteran full-back Simon Prestigiacomo were brought in for Saturday's grand final.

Davis, 29, has suffered under the perception that he struggles with the pressure of finals football since the Pies' unsuccessful premiership tilts against the Brisbane Lions - and Malthouse feels it is unfair on his forward.

"He has vast experience and if we're going to judge him on 2002 and 2003, when he was a young lad, I think that is sadly [misleading]," Malthouse said at the pre-grand final media conference at Melbourne Town Hall on Friday.

"His record against the Saints, the Cats and in finals football over the past three years ... he would have got [best and fairest] votes in over half of them from memory so I think that's pretty [straightforward].

"He adds value in a number of positions and he draws a good opponent."

Malthouse said it had been 'hard' to leave out Tyson Goldsack and Nathan Brown, but that the door was slightly ajar for the pair and third emergency Tarkyn Lockyer.

"Things can happen so you've just got to be careful. Our 25 are fit to play," he said.

"We'll go back to the club ... and the playing group, the 22, will be announced and three boys will carry their bags tomorrow. Between now and then strange things can happen."

Skipper Nick Maxwell felt for Goldsack and Brown, but welcomed the return of Prestigiacomo after six weeks out with a severely corked thigh.

"It's great to have Presti back; obviously he's very well-respected and when you hear the opposition talk about him, that really sells it," Maxwell said.

"You've got guys like Jonathan Brown and Barry Hall who say that he's the hardest bloke they've played on; that gives you a lot of confidence.

"Nathan Brown has been sensational for us and I'm sure he'll bounce back. He's got a long career ahead of him and I know he'll be here for a long time.

"Obviously it's disappointing for him but ... in the next 10 years he'll get another chance at some stage."

The Pies go into Saturday's match as warm favourites on the back of their minor premiership and convincing finals performances, but Malthouse is wary of the danger presented by St Kilda.

"The word 'over-confident' would not apply to us," he said.

"Are we cautious? Yes we are. We know that we're playing against a side that has been a dominant feature for two years, probably three years.

"It's a two-horse race, there should be good conditions and it should be a good game of football, but you never get too caught up in who's favourite or who's not.

"Previous form is relevant, probably the last month more so than the last year, and we go in with that confidence, but we don’t go in over-confident."

The Pies completed a 45-minute final hit-out at Gosch's Paddock without mishap on Friday morning. Luke Ball has been the centre of attention with a hamstring concern, but dispelled doubts over his fitness with a strong showing.

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