WITH a personal connection to cancer, Jack Silvagni today paid a special visit to the ‘You Can’ centre ahead of this weekend’s Peter Mac Cup clash.

Joining forces with Collingwood’s Brodie Grundy, Silvagni made smoothies and mingled with patients at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.

“It’s just a little way we can give back. It’s the longest AFL charity, and the connection that both clubs have is really important,” Silvagni said.

“Any awareness that we can build or money that we can raise on a day like this and give back in any way that we can is something that we really cherish.

“Personally, my granddad was in Peter Mac and so was my girlfriend’s dad. There are some personal connections.

“Unfortunately, it rears its ugly head in many ways and there are a lot of people affected by this ugly disease.”

Carlton and Collingwood will go head-to-head at the MCG this Sunday 24 June, with both teams vying for the silverware – the Blues currently hold the cup after their 2017 victory over the Pies.

Silvagni was adamant the rivalry between the two teams was alive and well.

“All you need is to hear is how passionately past players talk about the rivalry,” he said.

“In terms of two teams that dislike each other going head-to-head, that’s the way it is now, and I think that is the way it will stay."

Now in its 26th year, the Peter Mac Cup is the longest-running charity match in VFL/AFL history and since its inception in 1993, has raised more than $1 million for vital cancer research.

Supporters heading to the game on Sunday are encouraged to give spare change to tin rattlers outside the ground, before the match kicks off at 3.20pm.

Enable life-saving research for cancer by donating here.