MELBOURNE captain Max Gawn expects Brodie Grundy to come out firing when he faces former club Collingwood for the first time in the King's Birthday blockbuster.

Grundy was forced out of the Magpies last year, reluctantly joining the Demons despite having five years to run on a mammoth contract.

He has since formed a damaging ruck partnership alongside Gawn, with the pair to face Darcy Cameron and Mason Cox at the MCG on Monday.

"He's asked for the first centre bounce. I think I'll give it to him," Gawn said with a laugh on Tuesday.

"'Goody' (coach Simon Goodwin) has actually made the call the last two or three weeks about who does the first centre bounce.

Brodie Grundy and Max Gawn compete in the ruck during a Melbourne training session on March 17, 2023. Picture: Getty Images

"(Grundy) is really excited. He's very, very close with a lot of those guys, including Mason who I'm presuming he'll probably play a fair bit on.

"I know he's keen to play – as would anyone that gets shown the door from their former club.

"As much as he is a laid-back character, I'm sure inside he's going, 'I want to prove these guys a point'. I'm excited to see what he brings."

Ladder leader Collingwood has won its past four games against Melbourne.

"They've lost two games in almost a year of football. They're easily the benchmark at the moment and (I'm) really looking forward to it," Gawn said.

Harvey Harrison celebrates a goal during Collingwood's clash against West Coast in round 12, 2023. Picture: Getty Images

"Both games last year at three-quarter time was basically even and then they ran away with it, which is typical Collingwood fashion.

"So I'm presuming it'll be something similar – but not them running over us in the last quarter."

Gawn didn't expect Melbourne to apply a hard tag to Collingwood sensation Nick Daicos.

"He's a quality player, will probably win the Brownlow by a country mile at the moment," he said.

"I'm sure we'll pay some sort of attention to him."

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Star Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver is due to return from two weeks out with a hamstring injury.

"You take Clayton Oliver out of any side and you're going to miss him," Gawn said.

"Tom Sparrow and Jack Viney certainly did play their role and lift.

"We were able to plug that hole and that's the same if anyone goes down ... but I would love him back."

Gawn on Tuesday presented a $20,000 cheque to Neale Daniher's son Ben for Fight MND ahead of Monday's ninth edition of the Big Freeze charity event.

Former Melbourne coach Daniher will be at the MCG for the game and is expected to be involved in a presentation to Demons players ahead of the clash.