The Preview | Round 11 V Collingwood Magpies
Season So Far:
Here. We. Go. Carlton, Collingwood, MCG, 3:20 Sunday afternoon, where else would you rather be? This is setting up for the biggest game of the season for the Carlton Football Club. With a chance to go 2 games clear in the top 4 and potentially move up to 2nd place should other results fall their way.
Carlton is having a phenomenal season so far, currently, on a 4 game win streak, including huge wins over the two Sydney sides, that established themselves as a real deal in the competition. Despite the absence of spearhead Harry McKay, as he continues to miss with a knee injury, Charlie Curnow has taken the brunt of the load and the Blues forward line looks as dynamic as it has ever looked.
Kicking two crucial goals in the last quarter against the Giants, before kicking 5 goals in the first half against the Swans, in the process giving the McCartin brothers an absolute bath. It is safe to say, that the current leader in the Coleman medal race, Charlie Curnow, is back.
However, unlike in the previous years, Charlie isn’t carrying the Blues as Harry did only a year ago. The Blues forward line is one of the most prolific in the comp. With the likes of Corey Durdin, Matt Owies, Jesse Motlop and Zac Fisher becoming genuine match winners for the Blues. No longer is it a one-man band, it is an orchestra and everyone is contributing.
Another area of the game that used to be a one-man band, was the midfield. It used to be Patrick Cripps or bust, last year it was Sam Walsh or bust. This year, try and stop them all. With Cripps and Walsh joined by the rejuvenated Matt Kennedy, and new additions George Hewett and Adam Cerra, Carlton's midfield has developed to be one of the best in the league.
These 5 players have provided the spark and depth that has been absent in this group for a long time, as well as the flash of brilliance that Fisher and debuting Jack Carroll have provided that midfield group.
These two groups have been the main reason for Carlton's resurgence this season. However, the overall main reason is the mastermind that is Michael Voss. The former Brownlow Medallist and 3-time premiership captain has been the guy to take this underperforming side and make them one of the best teams in the comp.
However, all of this goes out the window. All this form, all these brilliant performances go out the window because this week, it's Collingwood. The Collingwood Football Club have been the perennial thorn in the side of Carlton ever since both side's inceptions. The noisy neighbours don’t mind chirping up when it’s their turn to do so, and in fairness, their season hasn’t been all too bad either. Currently sitting 5-5 with a young, rebuilding list with an inexperienced coach, they, at times, are very exciting to watch.
With all that being said, Carlton hates Collingwood, and Collingwood hates Carlton. That’s how it always has been, that’s how it always will be. And, despite all the credit that either side deserves this season, all of that means nothing heading into Sunday Arvo.
Fans of both clubs will hate the build-up to this game. Hate talking about it at work, hate listening to the conversations about it on the radio, hate the nerves and the anxiety that all this talk builds up. The commute to the game will be a nightmare, bustling through the crowd getting to your seat, and sitting down as the time slowly tick away until the first bounce. As 2 hours feel like 2 years as this hotly contested rivalry will be battled out on the MCG.
There will be very few moments when fans will truly be able to enjoy this game, and one of those moments is when the final siren sounds, and only then if you have won. This tortuous day is something fans of either club can't live without.
The ledger somehow sits at 128 wins a piece, with 4 draws splattered in there as well. It’s almost fitting how these two clubs, despite their hatred, despite their animosity, despite their disdain for each other and despite their glaring differences at times, are so similar in so many ways. However, that’s what makes these games so great. That’s what makes these games so unique. That’s what makes these games, the best games to be a part of. That’s what makes these games the worst if you lose. That’s what makes these games the best if you win.
