At 7-8, the Suns' hopes of reaching a maiden finals campaign were flickering entering the corresponding clash in round 16 last year.
The Magpies delivered the ultimate reality check though in a 78-point win on the Gold Coast in which they led 72-10 at halftime.
The loss triggered coach Stuart Dew's axing, the Suns now in strikingly similar waters at 7-7 under Damien Hardwick ahead of Saturday's meeting.
"That's well in distant memory, don't even remember the game," vice-captain Collins dead-panned on Tuesday when asked if the loss still sat with him.
"It's a sell out (crowd) here (on Saturday) and we don't have too many of those.
"Sitting at 7-7; we'd like to be a bit more but out performance at home's been dominant and we look forward to bringing that against the Pies."
Dejected Suns players leave the field after their last home loss to Collingwood. (Jason O'BRIEN/AAP PHOTOS)
Collingwood went on to win last season's premiership and have defied injuries to sit fourth as they prepare to welcome back Scott Pendlebury and Brody Mihocek.
"They're a consistent AFL team; weapons on offence and defence," Collins said.
"It's going to take our best to slow them down and get the game on our terms, but I believe we have the cattle to play a great game against them."
Meanwhile Collins was impressed by the commitment of 22-year-old, 2021 mid-season draft pick Ned Moyle after he confirmed a four-year contract extension.
A back-up to co-captain and ruckman Jarrod Witts, he opted to turn down interested rivals and potentially greater opportunities to remain at the club.
11°C