Collingwood coach Craig McRae hopes an address from Mick Malthouse can inspire his AFL side ahead of the Anzac Day blockbuster against Essendon.
The league's coaching games record holder spoke to the Magpies' playing group on Thursday at McRae's invitation after the pair caught up for coffee recently.
It is the first time Malthouse, Collingwood's 2010 premiership coach, has returned to the club since his messy exit more than a decade ago.
"I'm really happy that Mick's back at the footy club," McRae said.
"He's got such a huge history in the game and a wealth of knowledge.
"In my time here under Mick he made this game (Anzac Day) really special and we're trying to tap into his experience around that."
McRae was involved in Anzac Day matches during his time as Collingwood development coach from 2011 to 2015, which included one season under Malthouse.
Monday's MCG meeting will be his first in the hot seat.
A crowd of more than 80,000 is tipped in what will be the biggest attendance at an AFL match since the 2019 grand final.
"We're just so grateful to be part of this as a footy club." McRae said.
"We want to do the Anzac spirit proud as well as our jumper proud."
Collingwood (2-3) will enter the match as favourites but are wary of an Essendon (1-4) side that has come under heavy criticism after a tough start to the season.
"This game in particular is one of those games, like the Showdown, it doesn't really matter what's gone before," McRae said.
"People turn up to play, it's a big occasion and it is like a finals-type experience for some and we'd like to think that we're ready for the occasion."
Collingwood are set to regain forwards Brody Mihocek (virus protocols), Jack Ginnivan (sorenses) and Beau McCreery (hip) against Essendon.
There is a query over tall forward Darcy Cameron, who has sore ribs, while key defender Jordan Roughead has had finger surgery and will miss at least one match.
Versatile tall Nathan Kreuger is fit to play despite missing training on Thursday through illness.
