In incredible scenes at the iconic Aussie venue, the queue of supporters trying to get into the stadium before the annual event kicked off was so great officials had to open the gates early.

A huge crowd had earlier marched with event organiser and footy legend Neale Daniher from Federation Square to the MCG.

The event raises funds and awareness to fight MND (motor neurone disease).

The annual tradition of footy personalities and Melbourne identities sliding down a temporary slide into a freezing pool of ice water has been expanded in 2018 with all 18 AFL coaches involved.

It is also the last time Daniher will be heavily involved in the running of the event which sets the scene for Collingwood’s annual Queen’s Birthday clash with Melbourne.

Daniher’s pre-match pep talk to the coaches was televised by Channel 7, giving a taste of things to come.

The coaches definitely delivered for the big occasion.

The early highlights included Giants coach Leon Cameron sporting a Ferrari Formula 1 driver costume after being told early in his coaching tenure that he’d been handed the keys to a Ferrari in charge of the talented GWS list.

Twins Chris Scott and Brad Scott also won plenty of praise when they showed up dressed as each other in North Melbourne and Geelong polo shirts to cause complete confusion.

Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan said he even twinged his hamstring when he went date over biscuit trying to climb out of the shallow pool.

For once the annual clash is a genuine blockbuster, with the Demons fourth on the ladder and boasting a six-game winning streak.

Collingwood are seventh and have won their last three.

Monday’s match is one of the most anticipated games of the season, with both sides well on the way to ending their finals droughts.

But question marks remain over the two teams, who are yet to beat anyone else currently in the top eight.

One of the highlights of the day will come before the first bounce, with all 18 coaches taking part in the fourth Freeze MND ice bath slide.

Former coach Daniher has become a prominent figure in the fight against motor neurone disease, but this will be the last year he is involved so heavily.

Daniher expects if he is still alive this time next year, MND will have taken away his speech.

The opening bounce will mark the start of the one-on-one duel between Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn and his Collingwood rival Brodie Grundy.

There has been plenty of focus on the matc`h-up, with Gawn widely-regarded as the All-Australian ruckman halfway through the season and Grundy also tracking well at No.2.

Given the strength and depth of the rival midfields, their ruck duels will have a massive influence on the result because first use of the ball at the stoppages will be critical.

Melbourne must also reorganise their defence, with high-profile recruit Jake Lever out for the rest of the season because of a knee reconstruction. The Demons have recalled Cam Pedersen and Joel Smith as they start experimenting with their back line, while high-flying defender Jeremy Howe is back for the Magpies.

— with AAP