Michael Malthouse will become the game’s longest-serving coach in Round 5 of the 2015 season – in a match that will pit his present and past teams against each other in an MCG showdown.
Carlton will take on Collingwood in a Friday night blockbuster on May 1. It will be Malthouse’s 715th game as a senior coach, surpassing Jock McHale’s record of 714 matches.
The AFL wrote to Malthouse and invited him to have some input into which team the Blues would play in the record-breaking match.
Malthouse specifically requested to mark the milestone against the Magpies due his affiliation with the club over 12 seasons, and also in a nod to McHale, who led Collingwood from 1912-1949.
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The Carlton coach says he is rapt that the history-making game will be held on football’s biggest stage.
“It’s a tremendous honour and a privilege to have been able to enjoy such longevity as an AFL coach, and I am so pleased to be celebrating the occasion at the MCG,” Malthouse said.
“I have an enormous amount of respect for Jock McHale and his family, so it’s very humbling to be breaking his record.
“Having Carlton host Collingwood for this special game is just magnificent – it will be terrific for our supporters, terrific for the Club, and another page in the storied Carlton - Collingwood rivalry.
“I would sincerely like to thank the AFL, Carlton and Collingwood for helping to make this happen.”
Malthouse’s coaching career to date includes:
• Footscray, 1984-1989, 135 games
• West Coast, 1990-1999, 243 games, 1992 & 1994 premiership coach
• Collingwood, 2000-2011, 286 games, 2010 premiership coach
• Carlton, 2013 – present, 46 games
