SYDNEY star MichaelO'Loughlin has stressed the importance of Sydneydominating from the start when they take on Collingwood this Saturday at theMCG.

“It's so important to get off to a good start,” O'Loughlinsaid on Friday morning. “To be chasing them around the park all day with theirsupporters and obviously [Nathan] Buckley running around, it's going to have ahuge influence.

“We're desperate to get off to a great start.”

The clash is vital for both sides as they chase a potentialtop-four spot with just one home-and-away round after this weekend.

“That double chance is crucial to help you go all the wayand we've been lucky enough to do that over the last couple of years.”

O'Loughlin, 30, admitted he wasn't sure why the Swans havestruggled against the Magpies in recent years, but said this time Sydney is ready.

“We've done our homework. We've done what we've needed todo. This will be a great test for us with some of the backmen ofCollingwood."

Last time the two sides met, Collingwood won 10.16 (76) to Sydney 8.9 (57) in round12 at Telstra Stadium.

“They touched us up when they played us in Sydney and they've had the wood on us for acouple of years now. They've come up here pretty fired up and full credit tothem, they've really taught us some good lessons.”

The veteran forward felt that the Swans go into the gamementally refreshed after the heart-breaking draw with the Lions last weekend.

“We were pretty shattered but you know, that's just footy.

“Browny [Jonathon Brown] proved to be a match winner andhe's a great player but we moved on pretty fast.

“We went through the game and there's been a bit ofdiscussion about it. We left it there on the Monday and that was the end ofit,” he said.

O'Loughlin is focussing solely on the Pies’ encounter andputting in a strong performance.

“Every time we’ve played them, I don't think we've beenprepared to put our heads over the footy and really do the hard yards.

“They get a lot of drive from their backline. It's going tobe one of those games where we need to also stick to our game plan.

“They've got great players so it's going to be a huge test.”