No fear, but no magic formula either.

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse isn't sure how, but is hopeful his AFL side can extend its good recent record outside Melbourne, in Saturday night's crunch game against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.

Malthouse said the venue held no fears for the Magpies, who have won on their past four visits, and among the two victories over the Crows was the 31-point win in an elimination final last year.

Collingwood's travel record is among the competition's best in recent years, as although they have travelled the least of any side, they have won six of their last eight games outside Melbourne.

Malthouse is one of the competition's most-travelled coaches, given he crossed the Nullarbor every second week during his decade at West Coast.

He said the Magpies had a liking for AAMI Stadium, and were far from daunted at the thought of playing a high-stakes game - entering round 19 the Magpies are fourth, the Crows fifth - away from home.

"There's no fear in it. It's the opposition you play, not the ground," Malthouse said on Friday.

"I rate AAMI Stadium, the actual ground surface and the ground size is as close to the best in Australia because it is a true indication of your skill level at football.

"It's wide enough and long enough to do it, it's tight enough and short enough to be able to be physically pressured. (It has a) good surface, it's got the elements to contend with, wind and rain and whatever else comes along.

"I really can't put my finger on it and say one thing's more important than any other when you travel."

Malthouse said the Magpies would draw some confidence from their victory over the Crows in the finals last year, and again had high praise for skipper Nick Maxwell, who was one of his side's best in that sudden-death final.

Maxwell has enjoyed a fine season in his first year as captain, and again will be pivotal in helping his fellow defenders clog Adelaide's forward line.

Malthouse said Maxwell had exceeded even his expectations in his first season since succeeding Scott Burns, and commended him for devoting his game to his team's cause.

"When you get elevated from an Indian to a chief, which he has been, too often people say 'Don't change'. Well, you have to change," Malthouse said.

"You're taking on far more responsibilities, you're going to be ostracised and looked at as in 'Here comes the captain, what's he going to say?'

"But Nick has taken over the leadership role in a manner that has exceeded my expectation ... he's changed.

"He was brave, now he's become braver. He was always a good team man, he's become even better at that. He's always had high principles, he's maintained them."

Malthouse was hopeful ruck Josh Fraser could return from a knee injury next week, and forward Anthony Rocca could on Sunday continue his encouraging return from ankle troubles in the VFL.

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