WHEN it comes to playing Collingwood, Sydney Swans superstar Adam Goodes appears to have cultivated some selective amnesia.

And that's probably a good thing, given it has been seven long years since the Swans last tasted victory against the Magpies.

The club's premiership year of 2005 is the last time the Swans beat Collingwood, with the Pies reeling off 10 straight victories since by an average of 26 points.

Last year was among the Swans' best chances to end the streak, getting their noses in front halfway through the final term, but there was a key forward in black and white that day who tortured the Swans.

Travis Cloke monstered the Swans to the tune of 18 possessions, eight marks and 6.4, earning himself three Brownlow votes in the process.

But it's a display Goodes has forgotten.

"Against us? No I don't, to be honest," he said when asked if he remembered Cloke's performance that night at ANZ Stadium.

"My memory's not too good about the Pies. Maybe that's for a reason.

"Maybe I'm scarred or something.

"Look he's a fantastic player; he takes more contested marks than any other player in the competition, but I back our defenders to do the job on him.

"It's not about one player doing the job on Travis, we need our whole defensive unit and midfielders working together and stopping the ball going in there the way that he would like it."

Despite the one-sided results, Goodes gives the impression the streak might just be about to end.

Utilising a sometimes-breathtaking offensive game plan, while maintaining their traditional defensive intensity, has carried the Swans to the top of the AFL ladder.

A grin came on the dual Brownlow medallist's face when he was asked if, this time, they could end the game on top.

"I think if we work hard and stick to our game plan we definitely can," he said.

"I used to barrack for Collingwood as a kid and I used to love playing against Collingwood and winning.

"It has been a while between drinks, but we're looking forward to an exciting game.

"If we want to be successful as a group, we've got to beat those teams and produce our best footy at the right time.

"There's no better time to start than now."

The Swans are hopeful of a crowd around 50,000 for the game, a figure the club hasn't reached at ANZ Stadium since it attracted 59,266 against the Pies back in 2008.

With Sam Reid (knee) currently sidelined, Goodes has been spending a little more time in the forward line.

Lewis Roberts-Thomson has also been pinch-hitting as a forward, kicking a career-best 16 goals for the year, one of 11 Swans with at least 10 goals for the season.

"I'm contributing in the forward line at the moment," Goodes said. "I have to cover for Sam Reid, who's not there.

"The person who is playing a fantastic role for us at the moment is LRT.

"He's been super in our forward line, competing, getting goals, and the forward line has been functioning well."

James Dampney covers Sydney AFL news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_JD