MATTHEW Knights may have coached only five senior games, compared to Mick Malthouse's 569, and participating in his first Anzac Day game tomorrow, but he was not about to be gulled into accepting any suggestion Collingwood is feeling the pinch coming into this year's game against Essendon.

Comments from acting captain Josh Fraser and Rhyce Shaw this week have painted the Magpies as a team feeling the affects of pre-season travel combining a training camp in South Africa, a pre-season game in Dubai and a demanding game-style.

"It's been a long campaign for us, going to Dubai and playing, and leading into the start of the season, we had some pretty solid matches," Fraser said.

Shaw echoed such thoughts, adding that Collingwood's game was a demanding one. "It's been pretty tough, but the nature of the way we play our footy (means) it's going to be pretty hard. One-on-one footy is the way we want to go, so that's just the way it is," Shaw said.

First came the routine coach's disclaimer. "I've got a philosophy. I'm here to coach Essendon and worry about Essendon," Knights said. "The way Collingwood run their business and attack the game is their call."

Knights was then clearly bemused by the suggestion the Pies might be on their last legs.

"I don't think they're struggling too much," he said. "I'm not sure Collingwood are too beaten up, to be brutally honest. They were one kick away from beating North last week, let's not forget that."

Knights said that injured Essendon trio Scott Lucas, Mark McVeigh and Sam Lonergan would "play on one leg" if they could experience the blockbuster.

Knights said that Kevin Sheedy, who has coached Essendon in every one of the 13 Anzac Day clashes to date (and for another 14 years before that) and James Hird (who won three Anzac Day Medals for best-on-ground in the big game) had made a magnificent contribution to the day's football meaning. He felt honoured and proud to be following in their footsteps.

Hird, Knights hinted, may be invited to play some role in Essendon's final build-up to the game.

"James and I speak on the phone every two or three weeks and I will give him a call at some stage this week," Knights said.

"Whether he'll be involved in Friday, we'll leave that to Friday. But someone (of) the ilk of James, the legacy he's left and the iconic figure he is, you never know, we may get him involved."

With both sides sitting at two wins and three losses, Knights said the game shaped as one that could set the tone for the rest of the season. Collingwood, a top-four side last season and widely tipped to be thereabouts again, had an edge in experience but Knights hoped the Dons' "youthful exuberance" might counteract that.

"Collingwood will run out with the majority of players who played that preliminary final and ran Geelong right to the wire," Knights said.

"Most pundits had them in the top four and a chance for a tilt at the grand final. So it's a big game for Collingwood, and a big game for our young players."

Knights denied the form of Essendon captain Matthew Lloyd was a concern. Lloyd has kicked 10 goals this season but failed to score any in two of the four games he has played, including last week against St Kilda. "Matthew didn't play much at all in the pre-season," Knights said. "Nor did Dustin Fletcher. He's had some decent games this year, but he's had some games that, because he's got a lot of pride, he would like to (have been) better."

With Lucas breaking down in the first game with a knee injury that will cost him the first half of the season, Lloyd has been a lone key forward. Essendon will address that problem by including Courtney Johns in the line-up.

Knights said he had wanted to make the move earlier, but Johns had needed game time with Bendigo.

"With Courtney, I really wanted to bring him in when he'd had three or four games for Bendigo, and he's had that," Knights said.

Knights also said he expected Collingwood captain Scott Burns to miss again with a calf injury, but Essendon thought other injury concerns, including Anthony Rocca, Alan Didak and Dane Swan, would all play.

In any case, the Magpies will be formidable. "They're a strong line-up, a very solid footy team, and they perform well on the big stage," Knights said.

"We're certainly not going to take the Collingwood Football Club lightly."