NATHAN Jones says this year’s Queen’s Birthday clash against Collingwood at the MCG will be one of the most anticipated.
Not only are the Demons and Magpies in strong form, former Melbourne coach Neale Daniher’s ‘Big Freeze’ will see all 18 AFL coaches go down the slide into icy water.
It’s all for a great cause, of course, as the Fight MND campaign continues.
Jones said it was building towards an 80,000-plus crowd and a genuine blockbuster encounter.
“When you look at the form of both teams, it creates more excitement around the game,” he said at the MCG on Thursday afternoon.
“Then you add that next layer, which has been there over the last three or four years with the ‘Big Freeze’, and particularly with the coaches heading down the slide this year, this one’s going to be a special one.
“From my perspective … both teams should put on a pretty good show with the type of footy we’ll play.”
Nathan Jones + Scott Pendlebury at the ‘G ahead of #BigFreeze4.
— Melbourne FC (@melbournefc) June 7, 2018
Don’t forget to get your beanie to help @FightMND!
Purchase https://t.co/ZIrwIKne2d pic.twitter.com/2XMuwHEFts
Jones said both teams were “up and coming” and looking for more exposure on the big stage.
“We’ll really relish that opportunity come Monday,” he said.
Jones said he was “rapt” with the fact that all coaches have got behind the cause.
“It should make for a spectacular day,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jones said defender Jake Lever had handled his season-ending knee injury with a great attitude.