McRae declared his "love" for Matthews, but insisted the Magpies were completely focused on their 2024 campaign, which starts on Saturday night with a preliminary final rematch against GWS.

"I've loved Leigh for a long time and played a long time under Leigh - I know how he works, he always thinks about tomorrow," McRae said on Thursday.

"I think over time I've learned to smell the roses a bit more.

"It's OK to be a bit different than Leigh. 

"Huge respect for him, but I don't think anything's changed in terms of what we're doing."

Rather than playing a role in slipping into complacency, McRae believes last year's grand final win against the Lions can help inspire the Magpies into the future.

"There's lots of stuff within the premiership that 'why would you let go', because we're going to need it again," he said.

"We're going to need it for this next journey; there's thing's around connection, around the spirit, all these things that you want to carry with you. 

"Cutting the cord is one thing, but bringing certain things that are required to bring with you is really important."

With veteran defender Jeremy Howe (corked calf) ruled out of taking on the Giants, Collingwood have decided to debut young tall Charlie Dean.

The intercepting defender had suffered a torturous run with injury, but has impressed in Collingwood's pre-season matches to earn a debut, aged 22.

"I think he would have played round one way back (in 2022)," McRae said of Dean.

"The young lad's worked really hard." 

The coach also confirmed running defender John Noble would face the Giants after being one of the hard-luck stories of Collingwood's premiership.

Noble played 83 games in a row from his debut before being axed ahead of last year's finals series.

"He's now fitter and stronger, he's put on about four or five kilos," McRae said.

"We need guys like Johnny to get us back to where we want to be."

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