By any reckoning, powerhouse forward Chris Dawes is enjoying a breakout season at high-flying Collingwood.

After three years finding his feet at AFL level, Dawes has played 12 of the last 14 games for the top-placed Magpies, kicking 23 goals.

His rise to prominence has forced former No.1 draft pick Josh Fraser to cool his heels in the VFL, one frustrating match short of the 200 milestone.

Not that Dawes feels completely comfortable just yet.

"And I don't think that's a bad thing either," Dawes said on Tuesday ahead of Saturday night's table-topping clash with Geelong.

"It means that although I'm not playing for my spot every week there is pressure to perform.

"Even if we do win, there are other blokes who can come in.

"I don't have complete comfort in my spot and very few blokes in our team actually would."

Coach Mick Malthouse noted earlier in the season that the 22-year-old Dawes, whose progress stagnated last year after a solid finish to 2008, was now better than a VFL standard player.

"You would hope that would be the case, as this is my fourth year in the AFL," said Dawes, whose improvement has allowed fellow key forward Travis Cloke to push further up the ground.

"I know they harp on about big blokes taking longer, but in terms of my development it was probably frustrating that I wasn't at the level last year.

"... I'm confident I can keep my spot, but by no means do I feel safe.

"We've got a number of good talls waiting in the twos to take my spot if my form drops much more.

"Then the other part is that we could go smaller and a tall could drop out for a small because we've got quality smalls in the VFL as well."

A crowd of 90,000 is expected to pack the MCG on Saturday night for what is being touted as a likely grand final preview, while live TV coverage only adds to the sense of occasion.

Dawes knows the outside expectations are huge as the Magpies aim to avenge their 36-point loss the last time they met the Cats back in round nine.

"Even if we were to drop this game we'd be a chance of finishing top two," said Dawes.

"There's not heaps on the line, it's another game and I think Geelong are going to treat it that way too.

"We both know we're going to feature in finals.

"But obviously it will be a nice edge to have over them if we do meet them again in September."

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