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HERITIER Lumumba will face his old team Collingwood for the first time since joining Melbourne at the end of last season.
Lumumba knows all about big games at the MCG, having played 16 finals on the hallowed turf alone, including the 2010 and 2011 Grand Finals, earning a premiership medal as a key member of the Magpies' maniacal defence.
And he knows all about Queen's Birthday clashes but he's used to walking out on the MCG in black and white with his team a hot favourite to claim the points.
This time it's different, very different. Lumumba is battling indifferent form and he walks out with a team that has not won this encounter since 2007. That rare Demons triumph represented Lumumba's first taste of Queen's Birthday footy, and he played in the seven Pies victories since.
The last time Melbourne was on this same stage, it managed just three goals for the entire game - albeit, Collingwood only kicked eight.
The 2015 Demons, however, are not without a chance. Their best form has been inspired. They knocked off Gold Coast when the Suns' hopes were still bright, and also upset a now-rampant Richmond and the Western Bulldogs, and challenged Adelaide at Adelaide Oval. If they bring that kind of effort to the table they can match it with the young Magpies.
A lot of things need to go right, however, including a big game from Heritier Lumumba. The 28-year-old, a member of Melbourne's leadership group, hasn't yet lived up to expectations, particularly in the past three weeks when he has averaged just 12 disposals. Indeed, this renowned dasher who loves going for a gallop and taking on the opposition has taken just two running bounces this season. That needs to change. The Demons need him to be at his adventurous best to break the Pies' defensive swarm - the kind of swarm he knew only too well.
The player judged 'best on ground' on Queen’s Birthday will be awarded the Neale Daniher Trophy.
And if that goes to Heri you suspect the Dees will be singing "It's a grand old flag" at the end of the game.
