EMERGING defender Oscar McDonald says he’s itching to play in his first Queen’s Birthday clash against Collingwood at the MCG.

McDonald, who will play his seventh AFL match against the Magpies on Monday, said he was eager to play in the blockbuster match.

“I can’t wait. It’s a big crowd and a big game on a Monday, so we’ve got plenty of time to prepare for it – it’s been nine days,” he told Melbourne TV.

“We’ve got two good training sessions [to come] … they’ve got a good team and a couple of injuries, but that won’t stop us from preparing for their best.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

McDonald, who has played the past three matches and notched up a career-best 22 disposals against Hawthorn at the MCG last round, said he was pleased to be building his game.

“It’s good to get some continuity in your game. It was a bit of a rough start playing against GWS and then doing my ankle and then coming back [for Casey] and getting concussion,” he said.

“I’m finally getting some games together and it’s just trying to get used to the speed and the physicality and the aggression nature of the AFL compared to the VFL.

“I’m getting there, but I’m trying to put another foot forward this week.”