Traditional rivals Collingwood and Essendon have set up their biggest Anzac Day clash in more than two decades with strong starts to the AFL season.
More than 90,000 fans are expected at a sold-out MCG on Tuesday, with the two sets of supporters buoyed by what they've seen from their teams over the opening five rounds.
The old foes arrived at round six with identical 4-1 records, with only percentage keeping the Magpies (third) and Bombers (second) off the top of the ladder.
It is only the second time the two sides have both sat in the top four heading into their annual Anzac Day clash - the first since 2000 - and just the sixth time both have entered with positive win-loss records.
It makes for one of the most significant Anzac Day meetings between the Magpies and Bombers since the tradition began with the famous draw in front of 94,825 fans in 1995.
"It certainly feels like it," Collingwood captain Darcy Moore said.
"Both teams are in the top four and have started the season really well.
"Neither of us are finished products by round six, so we've got a lot of improvement in us, but it certainly feels like a big game, for sure.
"It's already sold out, so I think that's a pretty good indicator."
Both sides are missing a key player through suspension, with Essendon skipper Zach Merrett and Collingwood vice-captain Taylor Adams rubbed out for dangerous tackles.
But Jordan De Goey is set to return from illness for the Magpies to add some X-factor to the contest, opposed to Essendon's potential match-winner Jake Stringer.
The Bombers are set to regain tall forward Sam Weideman (concussion) and are weighing up whether to use Will Setterfield in a defensive role on Brownlow Medal fancy Nick Daicos.
Collingwood have confirmed versatile tall Nathan Kreuger will play his first game of the season after shoulder surgery in January, ready to assist key defender Billy Frampton in the ruck amid an injury crisis.
The makeshift ruck duo comes up against in-form Essendon duo Sam Draper and Andrew Phillips, who got on top of former Magpies star Brodie Grundy in last week's stunning upset of Melbourne.
That triumph over the premiership favourites franked the Bombers' form after wins over lower-ranked Hawthorn, Gold Coast and GWS in an impressive opening month of Brad Scott's first season in charge.
It set up a tantalising meeting with Collingwood - another genuine flag contender - on Anzac Day.
"It's pleasing to see that our game's stacking up against some of the best teams in the competition," Essendon vice-captain Andrew McGrath said.
"It's good proof for our younger list that what we're doing is working and we're on this journey together."
Collingwood's hot start to Craig McRae's second season at the helm includes a win over previously unbeaten St Kilda last time out.
Intent on maintaining his side's focus on short-term goals, McRae is bracing his side for another big test against Essendon.
"It's hard to forecast what could be but right now (Essendon) are in great form," the Collingwood coach said.
"They're defending the ground really well and that's why they're in a lot of games, so we're going to have to be at our best with our ball movement."
Key figures on both sides have suggested in recent days it doesn't matter where the two teams sit on the ladder when it comes to rivalries like Collingwood-Essendon on Anzac Day.
But the past nine clashes have been won by the higher-ranked team and only two of those were decided by margins of less than three goals.
This time, however, there is little splitting the two sides.
Collingwood lead the all-time Anzac Day head-to-head record 16-1-10.
