Melbourne skipper Nathan Jones hopes the Queen's Birthday game against Collingwood will help his side to prepare for the pressure of a potential AFL finals return.
More than 70,000 fans are expected to pack the MCG for Monday's clash, with both the Demons and Magpies - ninth and 10th on the ladder respectively - desperate to climb into the top eight.
Jones is the sole survivor of Melbourne's last finals appearance in 2006, while Collingwood last cracked the eight in 2013.
"Both clubs haven't played finals for some time now. I guess this presents itself as an opportunity with a finals-like atmosphere and hopefully a finals-like crowd," Jones said on Friday.
"Both teams are in pretty good form and we expect it to be a pretty tightly fought contest.
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"Hopefully it paves the way, particularly for our young group, to play in front of a huge crowd and play at the level that's expected when you get the opportunity to play in September."
Melbourne have shown glimpses of brilliance under new coach Simon Goodwin but their form has been patchy, having only strung consecutive wins together once this season.
Collingwood are on a three-game winning streak but have lost star trio Daniel Wells, Jamie Elliott and Tyson Goldsack to injury.
The 29-year-old Jones has shared captaincy duties with young gun Jack Viney this season and remains a key midfield contributor alongside Viney, Clayton Oliver and fellow veteran Jordan Lewis.
With All-Australian ruckman Max Gawn (hamstring) still unavailable and Jake Spencer set to play in the VFL this weekend, the Demons face a stern challenge against in-form Magpies ruck Brodie Grundy.
"I think it's been a credit to our midfield group, and overall our team, in terms of being able to deal with not having a dominant ruckman there," Jones said.
"We'll look pretty deep into Brodie's performance. He's obviously a key to the Pies' pretty strong midfield so we'll have our work cut out, there's no doubt about that.
"I think the guys who have been in there - Cam Pedersen, Jack Watts and Tom McDonald at times - have done a terrific job. I don't think it's been a negative for us. It's probably actually helped enhance our group."
