Among the many inspirational words Neale Daniher has said in the past week, two words stand out for Melbourne and Collingwood.
The theme of his speech to the Demons before their Monday AFL blockbuster against the Magpies was "Why not?"
It's a question that applies equally to Collingwood, with the two teams sensing something special is possible this season and they try to end significant finals droughts.
There has never been so much anticipation around the annual Melbourne-Collingwood Queen's Birthday clash at the MCG.
Off the field, all 18 senior coaches will take the icy pre-game plunge in the fourth Freeze MND event, a fundraiser spearheaded by Daniher.
It is the fourth year of the event and Daniher suspects this will be the last one where he can talk, as motor neurone disease slowly takes its toll on him.
On the field, for once, the Queen's Birthday clash is a legitimate blockbuster.
Usually, at least one team has come into the match with their season on the line.
Arguably the most notable Queen's Birthday moment recently was when Collingwood players roughed up No.1 draft pick Jack Watts in his 2009 debut.
But this year, Melbourne are fourth and on a six-game winning streak as they aim for their first finals appearance since 2006.
Likewise, Collingwood have won their last three and are seventh.
They have not made the top eight since 2013.
But there are still question marks over the two teams and this mid-season clash could be season-defining.
For all their clear improvement this year, Melbourne and Collingwood are yet to beat a team currently in the top eight.
The ruck duel between Melbourne's Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy looms as the individual highlight of the match.
While Gawn is the popular choice for All-Australian ruckman halfway through the season, Grundy is one of the rivals hot on his tail.
The two midfields are stacked with talent and depth, making the Gawn-Grundy ruck contests particularly important.
This is one match in which first use of the ball at the stoppages will count for plenty.
Team changes for such an important match were minimal and predictable.
Melbourne have recalled Cam Pedersen for Jake Lever, who is out for the rest of the season with a knee reconstruction.
They have also named Joel Smith for his first AFL game since round 17 last season and he is another backline option as the Demons recast their defence without Lever's intercept marking.
Jeremy Howe is back from injury and youngster Flynn Appleby was an obvious choice to make way for the high-flying Collingwood defender.
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