Click here to watch Paul Medhurst's Thursday press conference in Perth - on CTV

Collingwood forward Paul Medhurst is excited, confident and positive about playing a final on the ground he called home for five seasons.

With the Magpies landing in Perth on Thursday afternoon in preparation for Friday night’s semi-final showdown with the Eagles at Subiaco, the former Docker has emerged as a crucial component in Collingwood’s multi-faceted and increasingly dangerous forward structure.

He spoke to the media upon landing, and gave an emphatic response when asked if his move to the Lexus Centre at the end of 2006 has been vindicated.

“Up to this point, yeah. If we can win this week it would make it a whole lot better, but it’s been pretty good so far,” Medhurst said.

"It’s very satisfying. Freo having not made it (to the finals) makes my state of mind even more positive, so I’m rapt to get home and rapt to play a home final.”

While making his passion for his state-of-origin known, Medhurst also believes the trip west, even at such a crucial time in the season, could benefit his team, which has won three out of four interstate clashes this season.

“(We’re) pretty excited, good to get out of Melbourne I think. We’ve been there for a while now, so a bit of a freshen up, and get back to the best state in the country, I’m looking forward to it."

Up until six weeks ago, it had been a challenging first season in black and white stripes for the former Docker, who notched his 100th league game back in round one, his first appearance for his new club, after five seasons for Freo.

He managed nine games in his the first 15 rounds of the 2007 home-and-away season, in which there were some encouraging performances, including a match-winning four-goal haul against the Tigers in round three.

The former Claremont player, however, had to endure a number of injury and illness issues, both in the preseason and season proper, and those problems clearly hindered his progress.

But after a senior recall in round 18 brought about by some excellent performances for Collingwood’s VFL affiliate Williamstown, followed by consecutive three-goal outings in rounds 19 and 20, Medhurst has developed into not only an important cog in the potent Magpie forward line, but also a player capable of pushing up the ground when needed and winning his own ball.

“The last six weeks have been good, slowly getting better, and looking forward to more.”

With the Magpie forwards having shredded the Swans defence last week, Medhurst spoke glowingly of the current Collingwood attack and how his side might fare on Friday night.

“It’s pretty dynamic down there at the moment. We’ve got a lot of pace, and a lot of marking power, good skills, and some really flashy guys, and some really hard working guys.

“I’m pretty confident that we’ll go alright. It (Subiaco) is a ground that will suit our forward line. We’ll be able to get some good contests and isolation going on. Guys like Anthony (Rocca), Travis (Cloke) and Dale (Thomas), and other talented guys, I think we should go alright.

Medhurst isn’t convinced the predicted wet weather will benefit either team greatly, and also made it clear that his side won’t be underestimating the Eagles, even without the star trio of Daniel Kerr, Chris Judd and Ben Cousins.

“I think both teams play contested footy, so either way it’s going to be a contested brand, if it’s wet probably even more so, tight and lots of stoppages, I’m not sure who that will help, a bit of both, probably us.

“We know we’re playing the reigning premiers on their home ground, and they’ve got a lot of class in the midfield, with Embley, Fletcher, Priddis and guys like that, so it’s going to be a really tough game.”