Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse says ruckman Darren Jolly's form has suffered from the Magpies giving extra ruck time to Cameron Wood.

But the veteran coach said he has no concerns about Jolly ahead of what will be a tough battle with star West Coast pair Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui in Saturday's AFL qualifying final at the MCG.

Wood was dropped for Sunday's clash, after sharing the ruck with Jolly in Collingwood's previous two games.

"No I'm not worried about his form," Malthouse said of Jolly, on One HD's AFL Game Plan on Thursday night.

"We've purposely given Cameron Wood as much time as we can and I think that has taken a little bit away from the shine of Joll.

"Cameron Wood's a better ruck and forward and Joll's a better ruck and goes occasionally forward.

"We've purposely mixed that up to give a good 50-50 (for each in the ruck) and I think it's probably detracted a bit from (Jolly's) overall (form).

"He's a workhorse, he likes to work the whole ground all day. I have no fear about his form."

Malthouse also admitted it was a risk to bring back defenders Heath Shaw and Nick Maxwell together, after significant absences.

But he said Shaw, who has served an eight-match suspension, was in excellent fitness and touch and Maxwell, who has missed three games with a thumb injury, had been able to maintain fitness by running and spent the past two weeks handling the ball.

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