The game as it stands 

It doesn’t get any bigger than this: Sunday afternoon against the old enemy at the MCG in Sir Doug Nicholls Round. 

With the occasion itself ticking all the boxes, the Blues will want to do the same on field, aiming to play their best football consistently which has eluded them in recent weeks.

Jordan Boyd will return to the side after a lengthy stint on the sidelines due to a foot injury, while Ed Curnow has been elevated to the starting 22. 

Wearing their 2023 Indigenous guernsey designed by Russellina Puruntatameri, the Blues will be celebrating their Sir Doug Nicholls Round home game in style in front of a sold-out MCG. 

Key match up 

Jacob Weitering said on SEN “Collingwood’s forward line is definitely pretty dangerous so I’m looking forward to the challenge against a [Brody] Mihocek type this week”. 

The threat of Mihocek - and Collingwood's forward line - as a whole is evident, with the team's ability to score under pressure among the most-vaunted in the AFL.

For Mihocek, he’s slotted 21 goals this year so far in nine games and averages four marks a game, meaning his presence in attack will be a key priority for Weitering. 

Player to watch

Conversion will be a big focus for Carlton on Sunday and Matthew Owies proved his sharp shooting last week in Round 9. 

Whilst the looming targets of Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow lure the eyes, it’s Owies’ crafty positioning and manic pressure that gets him the ball – and he'll be looking to back up his ability to finish the job in front of goal.

Along with Corey Durdin and Jesse Motlop, getting opportunities at the fall of the ball will be front of mind for the Blues.

Goss from Voss

Speaking to the media on the Blues’ struggles on the scoreboard in the first half last week, AFL Senior Coach Michael Voss encouraged his team to hold their heads high and keep applying pressure where it counts. 

"I don’t think you want to become inconsistent in your approach week to week: you want to be backing in what you’re doing and certainly getting enough time on our game in certain areas," Voss said. 

"If the scoreboard isn’t ticking over, don’t get discouraged, stick to what we’re doing. If that means we need to defend a little longer, then that’s what we’ll do." 

Things we love to see 

Ngawa tangarima awungarra. This is our home. 

In the first of the 2023 Sir Doug Nicholls Rounds, Carlton will host Collingwood in front of a sold-out crowd. 

What makes it even more special is that they’ll be running out in a guernsey designed by Tiwi artist Russellina Puruntatameri, representing the importance of Tiwi and Aboriginal culture in AFL and to the country as a whole. 

With plenty of tributes to the culture throughout the game, starting with the pre-game entertainment of Birdz and Fred Leone, it will be a special game for all involved.