Since round 20 Collingwood has averaged the fewest conceded points per game of any team – just 54. True, they played some poor teams in those closing rounds, but they have also played some strong outfits as they became much harder to score against. Brayden Maynard: I know I need to get over it. Credit:Justin McManus Maynard baulked at nominating Toby Greene as his likely opponent if the Giants agitator-in-chief escapes suspension. Maynard revealed to the media last year that he would play on Greene and has been reminded about it by Nathan Buckley all year since. (The coach hadn't finalised the match-ups at that time, but Brayden evidently had.) Maynard is the type of player made for playing on Greene. They both have a little trigger that clicks when they cross the white line. Far from intimidated, Maynard gets excited at the idea that the Giants will play with overt aggression and spite. He likes it that way.

In week one of the finals Maynard manned Gary Ablett. It was intimidating and awesome and terrifying for him all at the one time. He beat the Cats superstar. Loading "It was quite amazing having to play on him because he is one of the best players ever but I treat all my opponents with the same respect," he said. "Against Ablett I did what I needed to do for the team ... to do OK on him made me proud and happy that I could do that." Maynard watched moments of the semi-final last week, indeed in many matches this year, with a sense of melancholy and bitter deja vu. On Friday night it happened when Liam Ryan was paid a free kick because a Geelong player blocked him getting to a marking contest.

Oh, the irony. Where was that free kick in the grand final when Willie Rioli blocked Maynard from getting to Dom Sheed to spoil his mark? It is the enduring frustration of AFL rules that nearly any decision can be paid two completely different ways by two different umpires, yet still both be judged correct. I need to get over it, I know I need to get over it, but sometimes I just get reminded of it. Brayden Maynard on last year's crucial grand final moment "It did a remind me of the grand final a lot, those decisions," Maynard said. "It frustrates me. You see them paid now.

"I can't believe it … I need to get over it, I know I need to get over it, but sometimes I just get reminded of it. "It does make me quite angry but it is what it is and I will have to deal with that. I will get on with it. "I haven't watched the game back. I have seen highlights on ads and whatnot and Dom Sheed kicking that goal ... it's hard to ignore it all. "I do get reminders most days about the granny last year but I have to ignore them and hopefully go one step forward this year." This year's team was different from 2018, he said. Then they had momentum but key personnel missing. This year they have a better balance and understanding of what it takes.