A crowd of more than 81,000 packed into the MCG on that Saturday afternoon in July, but the game was a let-down as the Magpies bolted away to win by 48-points, with Brent Macaffer and Leigh Brown both kicking three goals.
“We’ll learn a lot from that game,” Hayes said. “They obviously played really well, pressured us really well, and we struggled to move the ball.”
But while Collingwood’s form has got even better since then, meaning the Magpies will enter the grand final as hot favourites, Hayes is adamant St Kilda can match it with them.
“The team dynamics have changed a little bit since then,” he said.
“Dal [Nick Dal Santo] didn’t play that week and it was Nick Riewoldt’s first or second game back from his hamstring injury.
“I don’t think you can read too much into that game. We’ll look at a little bit of it and try and learn a few things, but I think we’re in better shape than we were back then.”
Hayes believes Steven Baker remains in contention to return for the Saints in the grand final, despite the tough defender having not played for 12 weeks.
“As I’ve said all along, if anyone can do it Bakes can,” Hayes stated.
“He’s the most mentally tough and hard player that I’ve ever seen and ever played with, and he’s been training really well.
“I don’t envy the coaches at all this week, because last year there were a couple of unlucky players and I think we see that every year."
Baker was put through a strenuous hit-out on Sunday morning, along with the other St Kilda players who were not part of the win over the Bulldogs on Saturday night.
He looked to be moving well and appeared up-beat.
“Who knows what can happen?” Hayes added.
“What I do know is that if he does come into the team he’ll do his job.”
