RIVALRY, true rivalry, is rare in sport. Yet on Friday night at the M.C.G. Australia’s greatest domestic sporting rivalry will write another chapter into it’s long history. It’s Collingwood vs Carlton of course, the biggest and oldest rivalry in the AFL which dates back to the start of the VFL competition. The relationship started well enough between the two clubs, with Carlton even being of great assistance to Collingwood being created in 1892, yet only 18 years later it all turned sour after a brutal and controversial 1910 VFL Grand Final. After that game in which Collingwood won the premiership be defeating Carlton, accusations of cheating and misrepresentation were bought forward against each club. The ensuing public spectacle began the raw and now developed feeling that you simply do not like the other team if you follow the other team.

Throughout the years there’s been classic clashes, from that day in 1910 to the 1970 Grand Final, through to recent games which have been spiteful and aggressive in nature. Of course this year there’s an added spice to the mix with 2010 Collingwood premiership coach Mick Malthouse (in his 2^nd year with Carlton) and premiership player Dale Thomas being in the enemy camp wearing navy blue now. Most of the focus this week will be on Thomas, Malthouse, Buckley and McGuire but the game itself presents as a crucial matchup for both clubs.

Carlton’s season looked dead and buried after just four weeks, but with two wins in a row there is hope at the end of a long tunnel for Blues fans. Collingwood is travelling a bit better though, with 2 more wins on the board after 6 games but that gap could be closed with a Carlton win this Friday.

PREVIOUS FORM.

After four rounds of the AFL season Carlton was in turmoil, they hadn’t won a game despite playing against some low quality opposition. The loss to Melbourne in round 4 was the low point and made them the laughing stock of the entire AFL. However, as you’d always expect of a team coached by Mick Malthouse they have found a way to fight back with two wins over the Bulldogs and the Eagles. That win over the Eagles, last Saturday at Etihad Stadium, was a gutsy come from behind win, the type that galvanises a playing group and leads them to bigger and better things. Led by new recruit Dale Thomas and club stalwarts Gibbs and Simpson Carlton launched from 24 points down halfway through the final quarter to keep alive their slim finals hopes. They’ll have to recreate the way they played late in that game to get anywhere near the Pies though.

Collingwood not unlike Carlton came back from a large deficit to win their most recent game also. On ANZAC day, in front over 91,000 people the Pies found themselves 37 points down early in the second quarter having not registered a goal of their own yet. Somehow the Magpies recovered though, they lifted their intensity and all of a sudden they looked like a top four side again, pressuring Essendon out of the game and running away with a stunning 23 point win. Pressure is the key word with this Magpies team too, when they win they do so because of their approach towards the opposition ball carriers, and that was none more evident that in the second quarter against Essendon. Of course the Magpies midfield stars led the way with Pendlebury, Swan, Beams, Sidebottom and Ball all contributing but what would have impressed coach Nathan Buckley was the way his young defense responded after being poor early on. The Magpies are playing like a strong team unit now, and will be tough to beat for Carlton.

COLLINGWOOD PREVIEW.

After a tough start to the season (1-2 win/loss after 3 rounds) the Magpies have found their mojo and are now playing some very good football. If there’s a problem it’s that they haven’t yet been able to put it together for four quarters in a game and at times have had big lapses. Against all of Richmond, North Melbourne and Essendon the opposition has kicked multiple goals in a row and it’s an area the coaching staff know needs improvement. But for every problem that does exist you have to admire the way this team has picked itself up and improved week by week. The fact is the Pies haven’t been able to post anywhere near their best 22 players on the field in one given game yet, but they have shown signs that if they do get those players back soon they could be a top four team after all. Another positive is the form of the VFL side who had another strong performance on Saturday that sees several more players pushing for senior selection once again. The two most obvious players from that VFL team are Marley Williams and Taylor Adams, both fighting through problems to get back into the senior team. Williams return from a long break due to legal issues looked to be right on track until he went down with an injured ankle in the third quarter, but from all reports he pulled up well and is on contention for selection this week, at either level. Adams has been a strange one, recruited in a swap for club legend Heath Shaw, the pressure may have got to him early and after he copped a one week suspension he may have dropped his bundle and really struggled. Adams has done the opposite though, basically ensuring the VFL side held on against a fast finishing Essendon on Saturday with some great hard ball gets.

Whether either player gets a game this week will depend on the fitness of Clinton Young and Alex Fasolo, with both under injury clouds and very little other room in the senior side based on form. It’s the most cohesive and together this Collingwood team has looked under Nathan Buckley and it’s kind of ironical that it’s this week where the Pies face up to two old contributors in Malthouse and Thomas. What effect that has on the playing group from the Magpies is anyone’s guess but with the determination and will they showed against Essendon these Pies won’t be afraid of Carlton.

OPPOSITION ANALYSIS.

Just two weeks ago Carlton were gone, their season was over, well if you listened to the media hype that was anyway. Carlton had just lost to Melbourne of all teams and was win less after four games. The two wins in a row after that have taken some of the pressure of the Blues but they know they have to keep winning or their finals hopes for season 2014 really will be over soon. This week they come against a side in form, but one that they have competed well against in the past, leading the Pies in the first game last season before being over run late. Carlton’s speed is the weapon that can hurt the Magpies and it’s one they’ll have to use well or face a heavy loss. There have been question marks about Carlton’s forward line and back line although both areas do have talented players.

Carlton’s defense is a problem as the Blues have conceded the second most points of any side in the AFL after six rounds. That’s not entirely due to the struggling backline as they do play a very attacking brand of football, but the backline has to take some of the blame here. Carlton have tried to build a backline around the very stable Michael Jamison and Andrew Walker although it’s not reaping any rewards yet. Sam Rowe, Lachlan Henderson, Simon White and Andrejs Everitt have all been used in key position defensive roles but most seem better in other, more attacking positions. Dylan Buckley was impressive last week though and along with Walker should provide enough drive out of the backline this week. The matchups don’t seem to favour Carlton though, Jamison on Cloke, Rowe on the resting ruckman, White on White (Simon on Jesse), it just doesn’t seem right. Then there’s the plethora of goal kicking midfielders and smalls who rotate through the Pies forward line. This is the area of the ground of most concern for the Blues on Friday night.

The Carlton forward line is a little dysfunctional at times but they do know how to put the score on the board, with Carlton actually scoring 2 more points so far this season that the 4^th placed Pies. Once again that has to do with the attacking game style but there’s little doubt that if Carlton get the ball inside forward 50 enough, they’ll put a decent score on the board. Henderson and Waite both look dangerous up forward as the main key position attackers, while Ellard, Yarran, Garlett and several midfielders have chipped in for goals also so far this year. Carlton don’t really have a trouble scoring once they get it inside forward 50 against most teams, but they may face a harder task this week against a young and improving Pies backline. Without Reid, Brown and Williams most though the Pies backline would implode early in 2014 but youngsters such as Frost and Langdon have actually added another element to the defensive zone. Carlton will have the try and move the ball quickly and cleanly inside forward 50 because if they don’t the Pies defense will have a field day.

Carlton’s midfield is still it’s strength, even with the absence of a few first choice players. The absence of Judd and Kreuzer has meant that others have had to step up and in recent weeks that has happened. Carlton’s midfield is ranked 3^rd for contested possessions and clearances which shows this is clearly the area of the ground working best for them at the moment. Murphy, McLean, Carrazzo and Gibbs have led the way in this area in the last fortnight and will have to be on their game again as they face off against one of the most damaging mid-fields’ in the competition. One area that Carlton will look to exploit Collingwood is in the ruck, with youngsters Witts and Grundy still developing their game for the Pies while Robert Warnock has been in good form for the Blues, especially last week with 38 hitouts and 7 clearances of his own. This may well be where the game is decided, Carlton don’t even have to win the central battle but they have to restrict the effectiveness of the Pies midfielders if they want to be competitive here…..

Carlton are back on track, they have hit some form after a terrible start to the season but they have to improve yet again if they are to defeat a top four contender like Collingwood. The midfield battle will be crucial and the Blues defense will also have to perform better than it has so far this season. The probable return of Carrazzo will help the Blues out in the middle and also in stopping the star Magpie midfielders. Carlton won’t be scared of the predicted wet weather it may actually help them defensively but they will have to deal with a tackling pressure that they haven’t seen yet, with players like Goldsack, Blair and Toovey helping the Pies lead the league for effective tackles that lead to turnovers. Carlton will give themselves a chance though, their game style will worry Collingwood at times, there’s little doubt about that.

TIP.

Collingwood should, and probably will win this game but this rivalry in the past has thrown up unpredictable results. The forecast wet weather should keep the scores close and with Collingwood likely to lose at least one of Young and Fasolo off half back it might bring Carlton into the game. Ultimately though no matter what the conditions are, or who is selected in the final teams I’m expecting the superior team to win.

MAGPIES BY 22 POINTS.

VFL.

The Collingwood VFL side travels to Williamstown on Sunday to play the Seagulls in a crucial round 5 matchup. The game is at Burbank Oval and starts at 2pm on Sunday.

Pre match Discussion Thread  on the BB – Round 7 – Collingwood vs Carlton - All comments

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