Can the Blues win three in a row, and knock off two archrivals in the process?
After defeating archrival Essendon by 15 points last Sunday, Carlton will be aiming for the same result when it takes on Collingwood this Saturday afternoon at the MCG.
It’s sure to be a fierce contest, with both teams looking to secure their third win of the season and creep higher on the ladder. Carlton currently sits in 14th position, with Collingwood only above the Blues on percentage.
Speaking to the media in the lead-up to the game, Carlton coach Brendon Bolton says rivalries are great among football clubs, and as such the Blues will no doubt face a “determined Collingwood” this Saturday.
Even though Carlton has two wins under its belt, Bolton knows there’s still plenty of work to do.
“Every game we aim to win and if it’s three in a row we’ll take it,” Bolton said.
“There’s some signs we’re on track, but there’s still a bit we need to tidy up.
“Defensively and our structures we’re really happy with, but we can make that which is incredibly easy look hard, but in saying that I’d rather win ugly than lose pretty.”
The last time these sides met was Round 19 last year, when Carlton and Collingwood played in the showpiece game of Multicultural Round.
Patrick Cripps had an outstanding game, racking up 35 disposals, including 11 clearances and 18 contested possessions. Meanwhile for Collingwood it was Dane Swan who had 41 touches and booted three goals.
It was a tight contest, but the Pies prevailed by 18 points: 16.9.105 to 13.9.87.
Carlton’s side will look vastly different to the line-up it fielded in that last match. The Blues have been forced to make at least two changes, with Jacob Weitering sidelined with a shoulder injury and ruckman Andrew Phillips suffering a hamstring injury during the week.
Into the side comes Andrew Walker, Andrejs Everitt and Patrick Cripps.
It will be Walker’s first game back since Round 1, while Everitt has displayed good form in the VFL to be recalled for the senior side.
Cripps has also recovered from a calf injury that saw him exit the side as a late withdrawal in last week’s match.
Collingwood has made three changes, with Jesse White, James Aish and debutant Ben Crocker coming in for Nathan Brown (omitted), Tom Langdon (ankle) and Ben Sinclair (concussion).
Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley told the media on Thursday morning it was a “big” game for Collingwood.
"This is a big game for us,” Buckley said.
“This is a massive game...they're playing with really good system and connection with each other."
The two teams will not only be battling it out for premiership points and bragging rights, with the Peter Mac Cup also up for grabs.
Now in it’s 24th year, the Peter Mac Cup match between Collingwood and Carlton continues to raise vital funds for cancer research.
Carlton takes on Collingwood this Saturday afternoon at the MCG, with the match kicking off in the traditional 1:45pm timeslot.
