IF LACHLAN Keeffe is feeling the pressure ahead of his first finals game against Port Adelaide on Saturday night, he certainly isn't showing it.
Keeffe was taking the build up in his stride at Collingwood's open media session on Monday. His affable nature was immediately apparent, not so subtly highlighted when he rocked up in cut-away blue jeans and thongs.
His on-field demeanour is in a similar mould. Not easily rattled, but repeatedly gets the job done.
Yet, come Saturday night, the 23-year-old realises finals are a whole different beast.
"This is where players make a name for themselves," Keeffe told AFL.com.au.
"But I don't want to become overawed that it's a final because it can take your mind off the job at hand.
"As much as you want to take in the finals atmosphere I just want to keep it pretty simple - and that's what helps me play my best footy."
With fellow backman Nathan Brown under an injury cloud and Ben Reid sealing a forward spot with a five-goal haul on Sunday, Keeffe may be the Magpies' main man in defence.
It is a mantle that sits comfortably with the 204cm defender.
The key defender has slotted seamlessly into the Magpies' back six since his return in round 17.
His path back to the big time was a long and arduous one after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in May last year.
But that fear of re-injury has long passed.
"It took a bit longer than I would've hoped," Keeffe said.
"I wanted to get a bit of continuity in training before coming back to play, because I didn't want to be a liability.
"I've had no issues with the knee since I've come back."
Keeffe is likely to line-up on either Jay Schulz or Justin Westhoff against the Power.
He will sit down with Pies backline coach Ben Hart on Tuesday and go through some vision of the pair, as the club prepares its opposition analysis.
Reid remains the king pin in Collingwood's finals hopes. His ability was on full display in the round 23 clash against the Kangaroos at the weekend, as he and Travis Cloke booted five goals apiece.
"He's (Reid) playing some really good footy. It's handy for me because it opened up the key defender role," Keeffe said.
"I sort of joke to him that if he keeps kicking goals, I'll keep paying him a bit of money so I can keep my spot in the backline.
"He's only going to get better, I reckon."
