THE ANNUAL Queen’s Birthday clash between Melbourne and Collingwood has a new home in season 2021.

The special match, which shines a light on Neale Daniher and his fight against motor neurone disease, has been moved to Sydney, set to take place at the SCG.

The venue change is at the hands of the current COVID-19 situation in Victoria, with the decision made to ensure the game was played in front of fans.

Melbourne CEO Gary Pert acknowledged the importance of the crowd in raising as many funds and as much awareness possible for Daniher’s FightMND.

“The Big Freeze is an incredibly important match on the football calendar and a crucial element in the fight against the beast that is MND,” he said.

“One of the elements that makes the game such a blockbuster is the crowd that it draws each year, so it was important that we explored all options to ensure that energy around the game continued.

“We are pleased that by moving the game to the SCG, people will have the opportunity to experience the Big Freeze match and hopefully our interstate members and fans can get along to support us.”

While the MCG will be without one of its most-loved games, it will remain host of The Big Freeze slide.

Prominent names of the sporting community, including former Demon Jeff Farmer and Melbourne AFLW captain Daisy Pearce, have been confirmed as sliders, preparing to hit the ice for the important cause.

FightMND Campaign Manager and daughter of Neale, Bec Daniher, said the change epitomises this year’s message.

"While the football action may be interstate, we are very pleased to announce that in line with our Patron Neale Daniher’s mantra of ‘Play On’, our largest fundraising event ‘The Big Freeze’ will take place at the MCG on its traditional Queens Birthday Monday,” she said.

We are enormously privileged to have our famous ice-slide as part of the Queen’s Birthday round of football.

"MND doesn't take a break, and the fight to 'beat the beast' never stops. We will continue our fight to find more effective treatments, and ultimately a cure for Motor Neurone Disease."

Details around a Big Freeze activation in Sydney will be confirmed next week, while tickets to the game will go on sale in the coming days.

Round 13
Melbourne v Collingwood
Monday, June 14
3.20pm AEST
SCG