The big stage is calling and Scott Pendlebury is ready to his place at the centre of the football world again.

Over 85,000 people are expected to pack the MCG when third-place Collingwood take on ladder leaders Richmond in a blockbuster Saturday afternoon clash.

While offering a tongue-in-cheek reply to the notion this game is bigger than any other, Pendlebury admitted to his excitement ahead of the top-of-the-table clash.

“Why is it a big game? Is the ground bigger?” he cheekily quizzed Jock and Journo co-host Jay Clark.

“But don’t get me wrong, I love being back on this stage. I haven’t been back on this stage for three years or four years.

“I think it’s a great test for us against Richmond and it’s a good test for them against us.”

LISTEN: Scott Pendlebury and Jay Clark discuss Australia's most famous pigeon and the media's role in Tom Lynch's recruitment.

Saturday will mark the second time in 2018 the Magpies and Tigers have faced off at the MCG. A round six match-up resulted in a 43-point Richmond win, despite Collingwood holding a half time lead.

Pendlebury believes the lessons learned will be crucial to overcoming the reigning premiers this time around.

While star defender Alex Rance poses a constant threat, the five-time Copeland Trophy winner is more focussed on what’s expected to be a star-studded midfield match-up.

“For us, the battle starts way before that battle with Rance. It starts around the footy,” he said.

“We can’t afford to be sloppy with our ball use and switch off and let Rance just roll over and help out a teammate by taking a mark.

“(But) you can’t get preoccupied with where he is... If we see him one-on-one with Mason Cox this weekend, we have to take that. That’s a good look for us inside 50 and we need to make him defend.”

Other topics covered on Jock and Journo included:
- The pigeon stealing Pendles’ limelight (1:20),
- What if the pigeon returns on Grand Final day? (4:15),
- How good was our win over North? (5:20),
- The key to beating Richmond (7:25),
- The significance of this game (12:00),
- Approaching Tom Lynch (16:00),
- Recruiting Adam Treloar in 2015 (18:20),
- Pursuing “one of the best players in the game” (22:00),
- Having a laugh after a loss (23:35),
- Steele Sidebottom’s jaw (26:00),
- Darcy Moore’s hamstring (26:40),
- The “absurd” FIBA fines (30:15) and more.