Magpies ponder selection posers for King's Birthday

Dan McStay could return for Collingwood and Bobby Hill is a health watch ahead of the AFL King's Birthday blockbuster against Melbourne.

The Magpies will have at least two changes, with Lachie Schultz out for five to six weeks with a hamstring injury and Pat Lipinski in concussion protocols.

Hill, the 2023 Norm Smith Medallist, was a notable absentee from training on Wednesday because of illness in his family.

McStay is close to returning from the knee injury he suffered in the Anzac Day win over Essendon.

Coach Craig McRae is hopeful Hill will play his 100th game, against the Demons.

"At this stage, barring him getting sick, that will be the case," McRae said.

"He's a little infectious guy that we all love very much - he's a bit of a prankster, too.

"We love how electrifying he can be. He can really give the X-factor to our team."

Collingwood will have two more training sessions ahead of Monday and McRae said McStay was close to an immediate AFL recall.

"There's a big chance Dan will be available. We're not quite ready to announce that - he still has a little bit to go," McRae said.

"His magnet is getting really close to being considered."

Collingwood will also consider a second ruck to back up Darcy Cameron, given the form of Demons captain Max Gawn.

Despite Cameron also having a big season, McRae called Gawn "the best ruckman in the competition.

"I have huge respect for Max Gawn ... I still love Darcy, more," McRae said.

Sitting on top of the ladder, Collingwood will start favourites against Melbourne.

But despite inaccuracy costing them dearly in the loss to St Kilda last weekend, the Demons have rediscovered their mojo and are a massive threat.

"The form line, it stacks up. They have tinkered with their game a bit, they're moving the ball a bit faster - they're in good form," McRae said.

It will be a massive game for Demons start Christian Petracca, who suffered serious internal injuries in the corresponding game a year ago.

"He's a massive threat ... we'll treat him with as much respect as we should," McRae said.

McRae is rapt with his own team's form and said his players' ability to lead themselves stacks up against when he was part of Brisbane's 2001-03 three-peat under coach Leigh Matthews.

He said sometimes the Collingwood coaches need to stay out of the way of the players.

"I did learn that from Leigh - he used to call it the snowball, when it's coming down the hill ... get out of the way," he said.

Monday will also be the Big Freeze fundraiser for the FightMND charity, with former Melbourne coach Neale Daniher addressing the Magpies on Wednesday.

Daniher, diagnosed with MND more than a decade ago, cannot speak and used eye-recognition technology for his speech.

McRae's brother-in-law Pat also has the disease and was another VIP guest at Collingwood on Wednesday.

"This one is pretty special - close to home. Our players are super-excited for it, you see them today warming up - all knowing it's a big day, they all have the (Big Freeze) beanies on at training," McRae said.

"We want to play the game, not the occasion, which we talk about a lot - but it's a big occasion."