Craig McRae has never heard anything like it since 2017, but that could be about to change.
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The Collingwood coach - previously an assistant at Richmond - vividly recalls the sound of Tigers fans in a 94,000-strong crowd making their presence felt during the famous 2017 preliminary final.
On the receiving end in the MCG cauldron that day were GWS and a smattering of orange-clad supporters, in what remains the benchmark for one-sided AFL crowds.
Now McRae is calling on the Magpies' army of barrackers to replicate that intimidating atmosphere to help lift his side over the line when they face the Giants in Friday night's preliminary final.
"It's a huge advantage ... the roar of the crowd when Richmond kicked their first goal was significant," McRae said.
"I've never heard anything like it and that is an advantage. You have to play against that.
"You can say you just play the ball but we have an advantage and we want to bring our fans along for the journey, and I'm sure they'll be nice and loud on Friday night."
The Magpies have played 15 games at the MCG this season, drawing an average crowd of almost 75,000.
More than 90,000 fans are expected to attend Friday night's sold-out blockbuster and the effect of the Collingwood fans' vocal support has not been lost on McRae.
"The roar of the crowd when we kick a goal and when we do something well, we get inspired by that," he said.
McRae turns 50 on Friday and will coach his 50th game in the preliminary final, going head-to-head with another former Richmond assistant - GWS coach Adam Kingsley.
Like McRae, Kingsley has steered his club into a preliminary final in his first season in charge.
"Kingers and I are very similar, he just does a lot more weights on his arms. He spends so much time in the gym," McRae laughed.
"He's a great fella and I'm really, really happy for him.
"I'm not surprised by his success. It's always followed him on his journey.
"I wish him well, just not this week."
Collingwood are expected to make just one change to their side to face GWS.
Fit-again Nick Daicos is back from a knee injury in place of fellow midfielder Taylor Adams (hamstring).
The Giants could go in unchanged after an impressive 23-point win over Port Adelaide in their semi-final last week.
Australian Associated Press
