“They’re back!” Craig McRae declares the return of Collingwood’s top tier players for Big Freeze blockbuster.

Nathan Kreuger is set to play his first AFL game of 2024, with the forward one of two inclusions to Craig McRae’s side for Monday’s King’s Birthday Clash against Melbourne.

Joining Kreuger is utility Will Hoskin-Elliott who will play his first game since suffering a hamstring injury in Round 10 against Adelaide at the MCG.

Wil Parker and Ash Johnson have both been omitted, with Tew Jiath, Ed Allan and Johnson the three emergencies for Monday’s clash.

The tactical substitute will be selected from the extended bench and will be named 60 minutes before the first bounce.

Kreuger returns to the AFL side after missing the start of the season through hamstring and calf injuries. The forward has played three VFL games upon his return in May, headlined by a three goal, eight-mark and eight hit-out performance during last week’s loss to Footscray, where he spent time in the forward line and ruck.

Hoskin-Elliott will return on Monday having missed the last two games with a hamstring injury sustained in Round 10. The utility, who will play his 10^th game of the season on Monday, and has averaged 13 disposals, 4.6 marks and has kicked six goals.

Monday’s clash also marks Jack Crisp’s 227^th consecutive AFL game, taking him to outright second place on the all-time list. The midfielder last week equalled Melbourne legend Adem Yze and now sits just 17 games behind the legendary Jim Stynes who holds the VFL/AFL record of 244 consecutive games.

Crisp, who was drafted by the Brisbane Lions at Pick 40 in the 2012 National Draft, went on to play 18 games for the Lions before he was traded to Collingwood at the end of 2014. He then made his Club debut in Round One of the 2015 season against his former side and hasn’t missed a game since.

Not only is the midfielder a member of the Pies’ 2023 Premiership side, he has also won two Copeland Trophies (2021 and 2022) as Collingwood’s Best and Fairest player and has averaged 21.8 disposals and 4.2 tackles a game across his career.

Monday’s clash marks the 10th edition of the annual ‘Big Freeze at the ‘G’. Contested every Queen’s/King’s Birthday since 2015, the clash supports the fundraising efforts of Fight MND and their goal of finding a cure for Motor Neurone Disease.

Before the game, 10 Australian sporting legends will ‘take the plunge’ down the famous slide at the MCG into freezing cold water helping to raise funds and awareness for Fight MND. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats early to take in all of the action from 2:00pm.

The Magpie Army are also encouraged to join the wider community to buy a Fight MND beanie to help fight the beast that is MND. Beanies can be bought at Coles or online at Fight MND website.

For more information about what’s on offer for fans before and during Monday’s clash, visit the Magpie Army Hub.

Monday June 10
Collingwood v Melbourne
Melbourne Cricket Ground, Wurundjeri
3:20pm (AEST)

In: Kreuger, Hoskin-Elliott
Out: Parker (omitted), Johnson (omitted)