CTV caught up with Dayne Beams outside the Shrine of Remembrance after the visit.

In the lead up to the ANZAC Day weekend, Collingwood head coach Mick Malthouse led the club’s first and second-year players on a visit to the Shrine of Remembrance, Victoria’s largest and most visited war memorial.

The memorial was built between July 1928 and November 1934 in remembrance of the 114,000 men and women of Victoria who served and those who died in the Great War of 1914-1918 - 89,100 of them served overseas and 19,000 did not return.

Magpie second-year player Dayne Beams paid his first-ever visit to the Shrine, six days before Collingwood hosts Essendon for the blockbuster game.

“It opens your eyes a little bit more as to what the Anzacs and all the soldiers did for us in that time at war,” Beams told CTV on Tuesday outside the Shrine of Remembrance.

“You don’t have much time to reflect on it but when you come here with Mick and the other players you get a chance to hear some stories of what went on and it’s a good experience.”

Sunday’s match will mark the 16th clash between the two clubs since the tradition began with the memorable 1995 drawn match played in front of 94,825 at the MCG.

Beams played in his first ANZAC Day match last year and is looking forward to representing the club on Sunday afternoon in front of a packed stadium.

“It’s always a special game and everyone always wants to play in it.  You get the chance to play for the Anzacs in a way so you have to take the opportunity with both hands.”