Collingwood skipper Nick Maxwell is not expecting any repeat of Richmond's controversial tactics when the teams meet at the MCG on Saturday.

After last year's fiery clash Maxwell accused the Tigers of playing the man instead of the ball and said their approach was "pretty average" in Collingwood's 93-point win.

The ladder-leading captain, in his first match back after a six-week stint on the sidelines due a calf injury, said he expected it to be a completely different affair against resurgent Richmond.

"We were frustrated at that stage ... that a lot of our guys were put in situations where they could have been suspended before finals," he said.

"Obviously now it's a lot earlier in the season, Richmond are a completely different team, they're just showing so much potential and won five out of their last (seven) so it's going to be a tough game.

"We understand exactly where they're at so we're going to have to switch on."

Maxwell only missed four games due to the split round and his return comes at just the right time for the Magpies, with fellow backman Heath Shaw ruled out with a back complaint.

"It's 100 per cent now, I wouldn't play otherwise," he said, adding he believed Shaw would only miss a week.

"As you can see his form has been sensational so it hasn't really bothered him too much, it was a good opportunity to replace a defender with another defender."

While sidelined Maxwell has watched his side surge to the top of the AFL ladder, last week knocking over fellow contender St Kilda in convincing style.

"I'm very proud of them, they've done very well but now we've just got to keep that up and make sure we take that into September and keep the form up."

Maxwell said the job of marking Coleman Medal leader Jack Riewoldt would be given to veteran Simon Prestigiacomo, and the team had done their homework as they prepare to stop him.

"Presti always plays on the best players and Jack's shown this year that he's one of the best players," he said.

"We've put a bit of time into him because he is so good, he can do everything, take a contested mark, gets on the lead, he's going to be a tough match-up for Presti but also we'd expect Ben Reid will help him out at some stage."

While the two clubs are at opposite ends of the ladder, with Richmond back in 15th, Maxwell was understandably wary after their recent improvement in form.

"They've beaten contenders like Fremantle so we've got to make sure that we're right on our game.

"We've got great respect for Richmond, you can see in a few years they're going to be bloody hard, they're going to right up there."

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