Brisbane midfielder Simon Black concedes the loss of suspended star forward Chris Tarrant will hurt Collingwood but insists the Magpies deserve to be clear favourite for Saturday night's AFL blockbuster at the MCG.

Tarrant copped a one-match suspension when he submitted an early guilty plea to striking the Western Bulldogs' Dale Morris during Collingwood's 34-point victory last Friday night.

It's a huge blow for the resurgent Pies, with Tarrant a key figure in helping his side scoot past the 100-point mark in all seven of its victories this season.

There's no doubt Collingwood is a team in red-hot form but coach Mick Malthouse and his players will be all too aware they haven't beaten the Lions since 2003 - the same year Brisbane hammered them in the grand final.

The Magpies also lost the 2002 grand final to the Lions but this year they've scorched their opposition en route to equal second on the AFL ladder with an enviable 7-2 record.

"It's always a positive when a real quality player from the opposition is missing," said Black about Tarrant's absence.

"He's been solid and consistent at full-forward for some time for them.

"He's proven to be a good player so they'll miss him a great deal. I think him and (Anthony) Rocca work really well together."

But Black cautioned the Lions were still rebuilding their confidence after a shocking 1-6 start to the season while Collingwood was the highest-scoring team in the competition after nine rounds.

He played down the Magpies' poor record against Brisbane, describing them as "a terrific running side" which played with flair and self-belief.

"We've had a pretty good record over them in recent times (but) every time you come up against an opposition in good form I don't think that means much," Black said before training.

"You have to go out there and raise the bar. We've had a good two or three weeks but we're going to have to step up again this weekend.

"They're in good form and we're rebuilding. You'd think they'd be the strong favourites going in."

Leading sports bookmaker Centrebet agrees with Black, listing the Magpies at $1.45 and the Lions at $2.75.

Collingwood's veteran defenders Simon Prestigiacomo and Shane Wakelin will have their hands full containing Lions pair Jonathan Brown and Daniel Bradshaw.

Brown has kicked 22 goals from his past three matches, including seven in Brisbane's 68-point demolition of Fremantle on Sunday.

Black noted the younger players had also grown in confidence following wins over Hawthorn, Port Adelaide and the Dockers.

"Across the board we've contributed well as a team in recent weeks," Black added.

"Brownie and Bradshaw have been kicking goals for us up front but a lot of younger guys are getting more confidence being out there.

"You see the Matthew Moodys and (Michael) Rischitellis, when they get the ball in their hands they're a lot more confident than say a few weeks ago.

"Winning gives confidence to the group and there's no substitute for it."

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