Magpies coach Craig McRae has opened up on his side's strategy for combating ex-Pies ruckman Brodie Grundy on King's Birthday, citing the admiration the playing group has for their revered ex-teammate.

Collingwood's list management department made the tough decision to deal Grundy away to Melbourne during last year's trade period due to his lucrative contract, with King's Birthday representing the 29-year-old's first matchup against his old club.

Addressing the media post-game on Monday evening, McRae informed that his Pies went into the blockbuster contest not looking to ruffle any feathers with the physical ruckman.

"I said before the game to the boys, I put a photo of him up, I said 'We all really care for Brodie'," McRae began.

"Many in the room have got close relationships with him, he [made] a great contribution to Collingwood Football Club.

"You make tough decisions, list management-wise, [to] do what you think is best for the future, we didn't [want to do any] wrong by Brodie, we want him to play well and perform well, just not against us."

McRae's Pies went down in defeat to Grundy's Demons on Monday, with the second-year senior coach claiming his side wasn't 'brave enough' in the latter stages of the contest.

"I thought we weren't brave enough early in the last quarter, I wanted to be a bit more like what we saw in the last few minutes," McRae said.

"I'd rather lose by ten goals, I really would, than just sort of die wondering. That's always been our mantra, let's not sit and wait and ask questions, I just thought we were a bit too safe at times."

While disheartened that his side couldn't quite come up tops in crunch time as they have so often across the last two seasons, McRae remained bullish about what Collingwood can achieve this season.

"We never look at losses that are coming, [we] walk away with optimism, I think our best is in front of us, I look at things we did today, we didn't execute anywhere near what we have been doing ... we need to find another level, against the best teams you're not always going to get what you want.

"I'm an optimistic guy, I see the best [is] in front of us, I think we'll learn a lot of good lessons and just continue to get better."

The Pies have their bye this week before facing the Adelaide Crows in Round 15.