The writing was on the wall for the Blues – in black and white this time

6 hours ago 3

For Carlton, the writing was on the wall – and not just at their home base – that this contest against the Magpies wouldn’t be a pleasant experience.

Embarrassed by North Melbourne, and humiliated by flat-tracker Port Adelaide, it was difficult to see how the Blues would atone against their fiercest foe, given that Collingwood had won 13 of 15, sat atop the ladder and had vastly superior skill, composure and leadership.

It was another dirty night for Carlton and their faithful.

The Blues had also lost Adam Saad and Jack Silvagni from the team that was so inept against Port, as Michael Voss responded with six changes, including the somewhat capable kid Ashton Moir. None of the incoming Blues, however, were likely to move the needle towards an upset, or even to reduce the margin of defeat.

That the Blues and Pies had roughly equivalent players absent – the Pies without Steele Sidebottom and half a dozen others from their optimal 23 – meant that Carlton was much worse off, since their depth is toddler-pool shallow. Sam Walsh’s unavailability was particularly harmful against the top side, given that the Blues have far less running capacity and would struggle to contain Nick Daicos, Jack Crisp and company once the ball was turned over.

The Blues were found badly wanting against their arch rivals.

The Carlton fans – steadfast throughout this season – had voted with their feet, to some degree, for this Friday night. For any other match-up, 75,827 is a super turnout. But not for these clubs, and one cannot condemn those of navy blue hue for sticking to Netflix or Wimbledon and the safety of the couch.

The Blues showed clearly more fight than they had in that horrendous first half against Port, but the problem was that the Pies - who pummelled Port by 91 points in round 2 - were not in a mood for a letdown. And Carlton’s sustainability problem - that they can’t keep going or running or defending for a game’s duration - soon re-appeared.

So, the Blues were competitive for a quarter, lost the second quarter comprehensively and then were completely dismembered in the third term, when Collingwood banged through eight goals - as Jamie Elliott (4.3) and Dan McStay (4.0) fed on the skills of players upfield.

Nick Daicos likely earned two or three Brownlow votes, garnering 36 disposals, seven clearances and 13 score involvements. He was complemented by uber-consistent ruckman Darcy Cameron, who had the edge over Tom De Koning – who played as if he was bound for St Kilda – and Crisp, who plays poorly about as often as he misses games.

Scott Pendlebury strolled around, making footy look as easy as dog walking, as Pendlebury has for 20 seasons.

Perhaps the most troubling facet for the Blues was that they were soundly beaten in the contest (117-135) – an area in which they’re usually formidable, and Collingwood often barely break even.

The Blues also had a full boatload of missed tackles, and too many Pies were left alone.

Leaders Patrick Cripps, Jacob Weitering and Charlie Curnow were better than in the Port debacle but unable to change the game’s inexorable pattern of Collingwood dominance.

Where does this outcome – an improving bad loss – leave Michael Voss?

The president Rob Priestley had guaranteed Voss’ position for this year, but not beyond 2025, despite his contract. This evening’s outcome will not help the coach, though the clear gulf in class should underscore that Carlton’s primary issues are with their playing list – and that waif-thin depth of talent once any injuries hit – rather than strategy or commitment to the cause.

Nothing highlighted the gap in personnel – and in each team’s capacity to replace missing soldiers – than the fact of Tom Mitchell, the 2018 Brownlow medallist, coming in to the Collingwood side and finding the footy, as he always can, in lieu of Sidebottom, et al.

Mitchell isn’t the player he was at Hawthorn four years ago, or even the same player as in 2023 when he was important to Collingwood’s flag.

But he’s a luxury goods version of a replacement. It will be a fascinating watch to see if Mitchell can remain in the best 23, given Collingwood’s fleet of veterans and need to balance composure and nous with speed and verve.

Darcy Moore and his Magpies are all smiles atop the ladder.

In Mitchell, mature first-gamer Roan Steele (23 years old), and Lachie Sullivan, the Magpies had players who could step seamlessly into their machine. Their march to an eighth-consecutive victory was unimpeded by those absentees.

Carlton’s challenges, thus, are multidimensional. They desperately need not only Walsh, but recruits who offer repeat speed running and ball use. De Koning’s probable departure could well be fortuitous, since the Blues will need cap space and draft capital to regenerate.

It didn’t get worse for Carlton on this underwhelming evening, in a forgettable game that only the most sadistic of Collingwood fans would have found enthralling.

It just didn’t get better.

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