The Collingwood-Geelong AFL blockbuster will also be a big television event, with Channel Seven breaking its own protocol to broadcast the match live into Melbourne.

It will be the second week in a row that Seven's prime Friday night timeslot has featured first on the ladder against second.

Last Friday night, Collingwood beat Fremantle at Subiaco to go a game clear at the top of the ladder.

A day later, Geelong emphasised the importance of this Friday's MCG clash when they belted Brisbane at the 'Gabba.

"Friday night's ... fixture has presented us with a unique opportunity this week for a big TV event as first plays second in front of a massive MCG crowd," said Seven's Melbourne general manager Lewis Martin.

It will be the first time that Seven have shown a game live into Melbourne during the home and away season since last year's St Kilda-Geelong epic at Etihad Stadium.

The two teams were unbeaten going into the round 15 match, which the Saints won by a goal.

Seven also had a rare live telecast into Melbourne of the 2007 MCG preliminary final between the Cats and Magpies, where Geelong received a massive scare before winning by five points.

Their most recent meeting was last year's preliminary final, where the Cats smashed Collingwood by 73 points a week before beating St Kilda in the grand final.

Geelong have won four of their last five games against Collingwood, dating back to 2007, with the notable exception coming in 2008.

Collingwood played exceptionally well in round nine two years ago to belt Geelong by 86 points.

The Magpies have shown definite improvement so far this season, but Geelong are also in strong form.

Collingwood key forward Chris Dawes said the team had been anticipating the Fremantle and Geelong matches.

"That's one we've looked forward to, with Freo last week, and I suppose an opportunity to test ourselves on the big stage and to be able to prove to people that we can beat the best," he told Channel Nine's The Footy Show.

"Friday night is going to be a really tough opportunity, but a chance to do that."

The two teams have no significant injury concerns and the Cats are set to regain key forward James Podsiadly, who was rested from the Brisbane match because of soreness.

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