CARLTON and Essendon.
It's a storied rivalry that dates back to 1897: now, it's time for the new generation to step forward and write the next chapter, as the Blues prepare to take on the Bombers in Round 9 of the AFLW season.
This Saturday sees Carlton return to Windy Hill for premiership points for the first time since Round 7, 1990. It's a game that Carlton midfielder Abbie McKay knows means a lot to the Club as a whole, as the AFLW team prepares for its second clash with the arch rival.
Speaking to media at Windy Hill, McKay acknowledged the history between the two clubs, but she still has her eyes firmly set on the last two games of the premiership season as the Blues chase a strong finish in what has been a year of growth.
“The men have had such a big rivalry with Essendon and even though the women’s program is really new, we’re all one club and we really adopted that rivalry: we absolutely love it,” McKay said.
“We’re going week-by-week at this point and trying to focus on our brand and I think we’re probably ahead of where the rest of the competition thought we would be at this point, so we’re really excited that we kind of have exceeded expectations in that regard."
McKay could line up on former teammate Maddy Prespakis, a match-up which Carlton's No.5 knows will be watched eagerly by the crowd at Windy Hill.
With Georgia Gee and Brooke Walker also waiting in the wings, it's a challenge which McKay and the Blues have experience with, having enjoyed a one-point win the first and last time these sides met in Round 2 last year.
It's a battle which McKay will welcome head on.
“I’m really lucky, basically my whole first few years of my career I lined up against Maddy every training” she said.
“She’s an absolutely wonderful player, we all know that. I’ll just bring my physicality and won’t let her get the ball basically."
The re-written rivalry has caught the eager eye of Carlton Legend Wayne Johnston, who had his fair share of clashes with Essendon in his accomplished career.
Now sitting in the stands supporting his beloved Blues, the four-time premiership player - who debuted against Essendon in 1979 - praised how the Club has adapted to recent changes, applauding the coaching staff and players for putting their best foot forward on the field.
“It’s all about admiring the good stuff. I’m an unconditional Carlton supporter, I’m here to help and support the Club whichever way I can, and that includes the AFLW team,” Johnston said.
“You’ve go to understand, our club has had a big split up. A few people have gone from the club at the senior end in the coaching ranks, we’ve replaced that with new coaches.
“What I’ve seen from the embryonic stages against Collingwood since the first game [Round 1, 2017], the game has evolved enormously and the kids are getting younger coming through the system which is good. They're getting trained better, the mindset is better."
