Collingwood vice-captain Scott Pendlebury says Geelong coach Mark Thompson is spot on when he accuses the Magpies of being jealous of the Cats' success.

Ahead of their AFL grand final qualifier at the MCG on Friday night, Thompson has tried to turn up the pressure on Collingwood.

With his side winning two of the past three flags and knocking the Magpies out in preliminary finals in 2007 and `09, Thompson said Collingwood were envious of the Cats and driven by hatred.

Pendlebury said Thompson was right about the jealousy, but believed the Pies weren't alone.

"I think most clubs would be jealous of Geelong," Pendlebury, 22, said on Monday.

"If someone said we could have two of the last three premierships, you'd definitely take that.

"So he's spot on in saying that, that we're jealous, but we're not alone there."

But Pendlebury said he didn't feel any hatred toward the Cats and said they were "fantastic" to watch.

"I think most of the football public love watching Geelong play, and I'm no different."

The Magpies completed a light training session on Monday with fellow midfielder Sharrod Wellingham, who damaged his ankle in their qualifying final win over the Bulldogs, taking part.

Injured defender Simon Prestigiacomo, who has missed their past three matches with a quad injury, also trained.

Pendlebury, who himself missed two finals last season with a broken leg, said a decision on Wellingham would be made later in the week but expected him to line up.

"I suppose Sharrod's got to be really honest with himself and honest with the side.

"Knowing Sharrod, he recovers pretty well and I'm tipping he'll be ready to go."

While Geelong has had the dominant midfield in the competition over recent years, Pendlebury said he wouldn't trade his own on-ball army in Dane Swan, Alan Didak, Luke Ball, Steele Sidebottom and Dayne Beams.

"They do have a champion midfield and it's a big challenge for our guys to go up against them.

"They've been the bench-mark for three or four years now, it's a challenge but we definitely back our ability against theirs."

He said the Magpies were trying to take a low key approach to the match, and keep their build-up to the blockbuster match as per normal.

With a consistent core group of players over the past few seasons, Pendlebury said the squad was mentally stronger and more mature.

The Magpies were last in a grand final in 2002 and `03 - losing both to Brisbane and they were desperate for a chance to taste success again.

"I think we're pretty hungry to get past this hurdle, we've come up against it a few times and haven't been able to jump it so hopefully this week that changes and we get over the line."

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