The clash of star ruckmen Brodie Grundy and Max Gawn will be a highlight of the biggest Collingwood-Melbourne clash in more than a decade, according to Magpies coach Nathan Buckley.
The All-Australian contenders will go head-to-head in the annual Queen's Birthday blockbuster at the MCG on Monday, which for the first time since 2006 features both teams in the top eight.
Collingwood have won seven of the past nine games but Buckley says the form of the third-placed Demons and his team, who sit seventh on the ladder, gives the Monday afternoon match special significance.
"It's been a while since both teams have been in and about contention for finals," Buckley said on Tuesday.
"Neither of us have proven that at this point but recent form would suggest that we're both tracking OK and that augurs well for the occasion."
High-flying defender Jeremy Howe (bone bruising) is likely to play while Buckley rated versatile forward Ben Reid (leg) as "touch and go".
Magpie Grundy and the Demons' Gawn are two of the AFL's form ruckmen and Buckley said his man would relish the challenge.
"Brodie's recent form has been first-class and obviously Max is having a stand-out year," Buckley said.
"They both don't mind the pressure and responsibility that comes with the role so it's going to be a marquee match-up and one to have a look at."
Buckley felt his team's spread of goal-kickers was a key to their rise up the AFL ladder.
Will Hoskin-Elliott is the only Magpie in the competition's top 10 goal-scorers, with players like Jordan De Goey, Josh Thomas and Jaidyn Stephenson also among their threats.
"It makes it harder to scout - we've got plenty of blokes who can hit the scoreboard," Buckley said.
"We've spread our scoring fairly well," Buckley said.
"It's come from talls, it's come from mediums, it's come from smalls.
"We can come from different sources and that's something we've always worked towards it's starting to come together for us."
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