The Pies return to the MCG this week with much-needed confidence after an emphatic win away against Brisbane in round eight at the Gabba.

Those four points have kept the wolves at bay after a horror start to the season for Collingwood which has the club sitting 12^th on the ladder with a 3-5 record in a year many tipped would see the black and white army finals bound.

Whilst their opponents Geelong have barely put a foot wrong and received high praise accordingly, the Magpies have been under siege following heavy defeats at the hands of Sydney and West Coast and shock losses to St. Kilda, Melbourne and Carlton.

Conversely, their two most recent victories against the Lions and Essendon on ANZAC Day have demonstrated the very best the Pies have to offer.

But which Collingwood will turn up to the MCG at 1:45pm on Saturday?

That much at least is unpredictable – so instead we’ll take a look at which 22 will run out instead.

There’s been more attention on Collingwood’s VFL side than ever before with power-forward Travis Cloke still searching for form and a senior recall.

Cloke was kept goalless against, ironically enough, Geelong VFL last week at Simonds Stadium – including a now infamous miss from the goal square. With the Pies’ forward line functioning well at AFL level around American Mason Cox, Darcy Moore and even Jesse White, it’s unlikely we’ll see Cloke face the Cats two weeks in a row.

Recruited in the off-season from Brisbane, James Aish has had an indifferent start to his Collingwood career and was dropped to the VFL ahead of round eight and a match-up with his former side.  He responded well to collect 22 disposals, seven marks, four clearances and 13 tackles in a performance that will at least ask questions of the match committee.

Ruckman Jarrod Witts has returned from injury in recent weeks and had 20 disposals along with 35 hit outs against Geelong VFL. If Pies’ coach Nathan Buckley feels any concern over the Cats’ ruck tandem of Zac Smith and Rhys Stanley then we may see Witts combine with current number one ruck Brodie Grundy on Saturday.

Despite being elevated to the Collingwood leadership group, Brent Macaffer has spent the majority of 2016 out of the senior side. He had 22 disposals, six clearances and a goal in the VFL last week and it’s only a matter of time before he is rewarded for his efforts.

Defender Jonathon Marsh is highly rated within the four-walls of Collingwood and his drive and intercept marking through the back half for the VFL side this season has done nothing to diminish his standing. Marsh had 24 disposals, eight marks and six rebound 50s last week and might find himself in the senior side against Geelong at the expense of Ben Sinclair – who was quiet against Brisbane with just seven disposals.

Finally, the Pies will be sweating on the fitness of star defender Ben Reid. The 27-year-old has been plagued by injury throughout his career and missed round eight with a shoulder. If he plays this week it will be a huge boost to Collingwood psyche – let alone when the siren sounds to start the first term.

With two potential changes, here is how the Magpies are predicted to line up in round nine against the Cats:

OUT: B. Crocker, B. Sinclair

IN: B. Reid, J. Marsh