Collingwood recruit Pat Lipinski has revealed that ANZAC Day was a major part of the Pies' pitch to him in the trade period.
Lipinski requested a trade from the Western Bulldogs at the end of last season after growing frustrated with a lack of midfield time under Luke Beveridge.
He has fit in extremely well in his new colours this season and is now set to make his first appearance in the biggest game of the home and away season on Monday afternoon.
Speaking ahead of the blockbuster clash, Lipinski said the aura of the fixture was one of Collingwood's first selling points to him in their bid to lure him to the Holden Centre.
"I think it was probably one of the first things they mentioned," Lipinski revealed.
The classy midfielder joked that he put pen to paper as soon as the Magpies mentioned the
"They said 'you'll get to play ANZAC Day if you come here,' so I signed when they said that."
"It's definitely something you look forward to, it's the biggest game of the regular season which is super exciting."
Collingwood head into the clash with the Bombers having lost three games on the bounce, while Essendon have been under all sorts of pressure after falling to 1-4 following a heavy loss to Fremantle.
