West Coast defender Mitch Brown is on the alert for “porky pies” from his twin brother Nathan ahead of Saturday’s blockbuster clash with AFL heavyweights Collingwood at the MCG.

Eagle Mitch and Collingwood’s Nathan have faced each other just once since entering the AFL system at the end of 2006, but the stars have aligned for a re-match this week.

Mitch is a good chance to earn a recall against the ‘Pies after fellow defender Will Schofield succumbed to a hamstring injury.

Nathan, who missed all of last year with a knee injury, has recovered from a less serious knee complaint earlier this season to play the past two games for Collingwood.

Mitch said he was looking forward to taking on his brother again, even though they’ll be stationed at opposite ends of the ground.

And despite their close bond off the field, Mitch said any reconnaissance work might prove tricky.

“I try to speak to Nathan every couple of days and, this week, I’ll try to get as much out of him as possible,” Mitch said.

“But you can never trust him. He might tell me a few porky pies (lies) and throw the match committee (off course).

“When we were growing up, we were keen basketballers and we were always playing one-on-one with each other, so there’s always a rivalry there and it’s always good to get one-up on him.

“We were on each other for about three minutes (when we last played each other in 2009).

“There were a few things said – a bit of tongue in cheek. I reckon he was a bit chubby – he had a bit of puppy fat back then so I got into him about that.”

Collingwood have won their past six matches against the Eagles by an average of 49 points, but were given a stern test in last year’s qualifying final at the MCG.