Collingwood’s Jack Crisp says there is a more relaxed environment at the Magpies this season, as the side is poised to make a September assault for the first time since 2013.
The Pies enter Round 17 sitting second on the ladder, with a top-four battle with West Coast on Sunday another test of their premiership credentials.
Nathan Buckley’s men have managed to put together a successful season in the face of a dreaded injury run, but Crisp has explained how they haven’t let the growing medical room influence their performances.
LISTEN to this Sunday's Collingwood v West Coast clash LIVE on 1116 SEN from 12:00pm AEDT with Gerard Whateley, Peter Donegan, Danny Frawley and Adam Cooney
“The beauty of this year has been it hasn’t mattered who has been injured,” he told SEN Breakfast.
“We have had some key injuries to some key players but the blokes that have come in have really brought into playing their role for the team and they’ve done that, and because of that, we haven’t had to focus too much on using excuses.
“100 percent it is (more relaxed).
“Winning definitely helps the environment but everyone seems to be enjoying themselves.
“Obviously we have had big injuries and stuff, but people aren’t letting that get the best of them.
“Everyone is still getting around each other and creating a great environment to be around.
“We are training well and it’s coming through to game day.”
Collingwood has lost 156 games to injury this season, equal-most in the competition, tied with Carlton.
Listen to Jack Crisp’s chat with Jack Heverin, Nick Dal Santo and Danny Frawley on SEN Breakfast in the player below