Ginnivan returns to big stage of his Anzac Day breakout

He's since been under an intense spotlight and a target of critics who accused him of playing for free kicks, which he revealed last year had taken a toll on his mental health.

A summer drugs saga, emotional confession and subsequent suspension then derailed his start to 2023.

The 20-year-old has been gradually reintegrated into Craig McRae's team, returning through the reserves before his comeback in last round's win over St Kilda.

Now he arrives back on the biggest stage of the home-and-away season, with more than 90,000 fans expected at the MCG as Collingwood take on traditional rivals Essendon.

"He is a story and the reality is last year he was a 19-year-old kid living his life in front of everyone's eyes," McRae said.

"There's a lot of public opinion about the way he was playing and he gets a lot of attention, but we just want Jack to do his job.

"He's growing up. He's becoming a better version of himself in all sorts of ways and he's not perfect, like all of us.

"We're all trying to be better people and live in society, and Jack gets an opportunity on a bigger occasion in which he's performed well."

Ginnivan kicked one goal from 13 disposals against previously unbeaten St Kilda, helping the Magpies to a rousing six-point win.

McRae always felt Ginnivan would be better for the run after sitting out the opening month of the AFL season.

"It's a long time to be match-fit and ready but he showed some stuff that we really liked from him," McRae said.

"He was really clever around goals, he's a very clever player in terms of finding the footy.

"I'd like to think that this week we'll see a better version of him."

Like Ginnivan, Collingwood relished playing in big games in front of some huge crowds during McRae's first season at the helm.

The coach believes those experiences will hold his players in good stead this year as they face further tests of character, including the Anzac Day blockbuster.

"As a first-year coach last year I was just in awe of the group's ability to turn up on the big stage and the ability to separate what's real versus what's on the outside of the field," McRae said.

"Pendles (Scott Pendlebury) and Steele Sidebottom have huge experience in that and passed those experiences down to others.

"Last year we played the minutes, not the occasion - and this year we'll play the minutes, not the occasion."