Collingwood assistant coach Brad Scott believes the Magpies are set to be major contenders in season 2009 despite their thumping loss at the hands of Geelong in Friday night's NAB Cup grand final.

The Pies went down by 76 points but Scott believes the loss should not detract from what he believes has been an ideal preparation for the home and away season.

And the former Brisbane defender - who took charge of the Magpies on Friday night - reminded the players after the game that the Lions had been thrashed by a similar margin in the 2001 pre-season grand final by Port Adelaide before going on to win the next three AFL premierships.

"This (a NAB Cup grand final appearance) is a good stepping stone," he said.

"If you look back at it most (AFL premiership) sides bar Sydney and Hawthorn have got to a NAB Cup grand final and the club I came from (Brisbane) was absolutely demolished in a pre-season grand final and had three pretty good seasons after that."

"So we are pretty encouraged with where the boys are at and are looking forward to the season ahead."

Scott said the Pies had paid heavily for their turnovers against the highly-skilled Cats on Friday night.

"When you give the ball back to them they are going to punish you better than anyone," he said of the 2007 premiers, 2008 runners-up and 2006 and 2009 NAB Cup winners.

"We gave them 23 scores from our direct turnovers so when that happens I don't care who you are playing - you are not going to win the game."

Scott said the Pies would be boosted by the return of No.1 ruckman Josh Fraser and star defenders Heath Shaw and Harry O'Brien for their season opener against Adelaide in a fortnight but veteran key forward Anthony Rocca was unlikely to be ready although he is likely to return from a serious ankle injury sustained in Round 13 last season in a VFL practice match next week.