COLLINGWOOD stands to be a massive beneficiary of the revival by Victorian clubs this year and the AFL finals system.

If the Pies finish fourth this year — they have every chance — it will be as good as finishing first, even though they could win six or seven games fewer than the minor premier. And if Geelong finishes top of the ladder — as is every chance — it would put Collingwood at a significant advantage despite the Magpies' grossly inferior home-and-away record.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with it. I support totally the finals system that rewards the top four sides with a double chance, and home-ground advantage for the top two, and catapults teams five to eight into sudden-death. But sometimes the system works for you. And this year, with Victorian clubs set to fill the top four spots for the first time since 2000 and the second time in 13 years, things are lining up beautifully for Mick Malthouse and his troops.

Let's just say the Pies do finish fourth behind Geelong, the Bulldogs and Hawthorn. No matter what order the top three finish, and no matter how long Collingwood lasts in September, the odds are that the Pies would play every final at the MCG.

For a side that is already drawn to play 14 games at the 'G this year it's a big advantage. Especially against Geelong, which will play just four home-and-away games at headquarters, or the Bulldogs, who will play there just twice. Hawthorn, at least, has 10 MCG games.

So what does this tell us? Most importantly that the Pies, with five of their last seven games against sides in the bottom nine, will be desperate not to let this golden opportunity slip, and that starts with tonight's game against North Melbourne.

As much as all the talk this year has been about the top three sides, you cannot discount Collingwood as a genuine flag contender. Not after it got within a kick of Geelong in the preliminary final last year and belted it by 86 points in round nine this year. And have so much going for it.

The Pies match up well against the Cats. And they create problems through Dale Thomas, Alan Didak, Paul Medhurst and Leon Davis, the four small men who are going to have a big, big bearing on Collingwood's September results.

The "Fantastic Four" — the super-hero characters of comic-book and movie fame — are the closest thing I know to the Magpie quartet.

There's Mr Fantastic, who can stretch his body into un-human proportions and is the father-figure of the group; Human Torch, who controls fire; The Thing, who has rock-like skin and super strength; and Invisible Girl, who can turn herself and others invisible. I'm not about to identify who these might represent among the Magpie Four, but individually they have a super power and together they represent a unique weapon.

They are all good one-on-one players, all draw the football, and can kick three or four goals on any day.

Thomas is the X-Factor. He's the player who can take the Pies to the next level when he plays well.

Didak has exquisite skills, can kick a freak goal and can find the footy inside forward 50 as well as any.

Medhurst, arguably the AFL's most improved player this year, can do it all — and you never quite know what is coming next.

And Davis, who has matured enormously as a player, is really enjoying the extra responsibility of being a senior player and part of a huge midfield rotation.

It's difficult to say exactly who plays where under Malthouse because as many as 15 players go through the centre square each week.

Combined with big man Travis Cloke, the Pies have five 20-goal goalkickers through the first 15 rounds of the season — Medhurst (42), Cloke (23), Davis (22), Didak (20) and Thomas (20). It's a number matched only by the Dogs. When the Magpies go forward, it's not to just one or two targets. Medhurst, Thomas and Didak can all mark overhead.

It's all part of why Collingwood has had Geelong's measure of late. Because it plays a style of game that takes away the opposition's time and space, and because it spreads the opposition defence. Geelong is the best "third-up" defensive team in the competition but it's not as effective against the Pies because the Cats can't afford to zone off anyone.

I'd hate to be the man in control of the match-up board in the Collingwood coaching box because it's almost mission impossible.

Scotty Burns, with his crash-and-bash approach, is about the only constant in a rotation that includes Dane Swan, Shane O'Bree, Scott Pendlebury, Ben Johnson, Tarkyn Lockyer, Rhyce Shaw and Marty Clarke, plus the small forwards. And more.

Heath Shaw is critical to the Pies. His quarter-back role and run out of the back half is so important it is no surprise opposition teams are trying to isolate him deep and even tagging him.

Rhyce Shaw, who was within a whisker of becoming a Brisbane Lions player this year, has taken his game to the next level and is in the best form of his career. He's been fantastic. And Cameron Wood, the former Brisbane ruckman who is going to get better and better as he plays more football, has given them an important big-man option.

It'll be interesting to see how Malthouse sets up for the finals. I'd be surprised if he finds room for Wood, Josh Fraser and Chris Bryan if it means leaving out a running player. It would contradict the very reason the Pies loom as a threat in September — their run.

It's not unusual to see four super midfielders biding their time on the interchange bench at the start of a game.

As much as Geelong will still take some beating for the flag, and the Hawks and the Dogs are not to be discounted, I'm sure Mark Thompson will follow with interest the progress of a Collingwood side that will give its fans a good run for its money. But the Pies must finish fourth to cash in on a golden opportunity. And that means no slips-ups.