COLLINGWOOD have made three changes to their team for tomorrow night's match against Sydney at ANZ Stadium.

The Magpies recalled centre half-forward Travis Cloke after a one-game suspension, small forward Leon Davis after an ankle problem kept him out of the loss to the Western Bulldogs, and defender Shane Wakelin, who has overcome a virus.

However, ruckman Josh Fraser, who was floated as another player to return, was overlooked, as his troublesome knee did not recover as well as the Magpies would have hoped after training yesterday. The Pies lost forwards Anthony Rocca (ankle) and Ben Reid (foot) in the loss to the Bulldogs in round 13, and dropped Alan Toovey.

Meanwhile, Geelong coach Mark Thompson has confidently predicted the Cats are ready for whatever Adelaide throw at them in tonight's pivotal match at AAMI Stadium.

This game and the annual split-round clash between Sydney and Collingwood will have a massive impact on the top eight, especially the top four.

If the Cats and Sydney win, the Swans go 2½ games clear in fourth spot with only eight rounds left.

If Adelaide win and the Swans lose, the Crows are only half a game off fourth. A Collingwood win will also mean the Magpies move to within a game-and-a-half of the top four.

Matthew Scarlett, the league's best fullback, and hard-working utility Mathew Stokes will return from injury to bolster Geelong.

Since Collingwood dismantled Geelong, the Cats have won four matches, including the last-start humiliation of West Coast by 135 points.

"We're not really looking at cementing a top-four spot, we're just looking at it that Adelaide are a very competitive, hard team to play against," Thompson said.

"They're playing at home, the stadium is going to be full of people and they're going to be desperate for a win."

Crows coach Neil Craig said it was imperative his side improve and promised a more attacking style of play against Geelong.

"The additional pressure we've got is not only to perform against them, but to add something to our game as well," Craig said. "That's where we're at and that's the challenge that we face."

But Craig also pointed out that Collingwood and North Melbourne had showed how sides could dismantle the Geelong machine. In-form Adelaide forward Jason Porplyzia looms as a player that Geelong must restrict, but Thompson said the Cats defence had the personnel to cope with his strength at ground level and in the air.

"He's a really hard match-up, he's a good player and he's one to watch," Thompson said. "Even though they haven't got a star-studded forward line, they've certainly got some real ability down there, and he's one who helps their forward line out."

AAP