Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom are the only current players who Malthouse coached however premiership captain Nick Maxwell is in the football department alongside assistant coach Josh Fraser who played 200 games with the Magpies under Malthouse.

The former coach was a major advocate of the Anzacs ahead of the annual match when Collingwood coach.

“He’s a premiership coach. I think it is important at our footy club that anyone who has had significance to where it is now, is appreciated and Mick is certainly one of those,” McRae said.

“He’s got so many stories to tell, and I’m interested to see which one he’s going to share.”

The Magpies will be without Jordan Roughead on Anzac Day, but Darcy Cameron will be available despite suffering sore ribs against the Lions. Brody Mihocek, Jack Ginnivan and Beau McCreery could all return to the forward line.

Mason Cox is likely to make way after battling to hold his marks against the Lions. The forward, who was Collingwood’s best and most influential player in two of their biggest finals wins under Buckley, is expected to be given a chance to find form in the VFL.