It’s been a few weeks since I last posted an entry and to be honest life has been pretty good. After our victory over Geelong we came out and thumped West Coast and then defeated Melbourne before stumbling against our big rivals, Carlton.

The game against West Coast was one which we were wary of. Regardless of where they are on the ladder the Eagles are a dangerous side and they had proven that the weekend prior when they knocked off Adelaide. We went into the match confident but cautious and pulled out a huge result that did plenty for our percentage.

The following week we took on the Dees in a game they always seem to get up for and, as usual, they threw down the challenge before we repelled them.

Melbourne had been having a great run against us in the long weekend games and it was a statistic we really wanted to turn around.

Then came the Carlton game and the Blues really turned up ready for a fight. It’s a frequent occurrence for teams to really turn up ready when it comes to playing Collingwood. I don’t know what the fixture means to the Blues, but I do know most sides love to take the opportunity to attempt to knock us off and their fans love it when they do.

The old adage you either love or hate Collingwood is certainly accurate and while as a kid I was on the other side of the fence, I have really come to respect the history and passion of the Collingwood Football club.

For those Pies fans out there who want to know why I wear number 13, when I was drafted I had first choice of the numbers and 13 was the second available after 2 (which had been worn by Shane Woewodin). I wanted to stamp myself on a guernsey and with Shane being a Brownlow winner I chose number 13 and went with it.

As a kid I had played in number 7 or 39, so make what you will of the combination of having played in 7 and 13 at different times of my life.

This week we are taking on the Western Bulldogs. It’s an important game for us to win heading into the mid-season break, as a win will not only get us closer to the third placed Bulldogs but give us some more confidence.

It won’t be easy because the Bulldogs have been playing good footy all year and are the only team to have beaten Hawthorn. I think a lot of their success can be put down to a strengthened roster, their style of play and a lack of injuries.

Rob Murphy has been great for them this year after spending a chunk of last season out with injury. Jason Akermanis  is another playing as well as ever, but I am sure our backs will make sure they handle Aker.

Honestly we are not where we wanted to be at this stage of the season and were hoping to be a top four side, but our start to the season made that difficult.

Off the field I am getting ready for my birthday and also for a puppy. My mum and sister are buying me a British Bulldog that I am looking forward to taking for a run. Hopefully he can keep up.

Dale