Blues’ season does not rest on Magpies result: Voss

Shayne Hope | July 28, 2023

Carlton coach Michael Voss is having none of the theory Friday night’s blockbuster clash with Collingwood looms as a make-or-break moment in the Blues’ AFL season.

On a five-game winning streak, Carlton can take another significant step towards a breakthrough finals appearance with an upset of their traditional rivals at the MCG.

Equally, a loss could be a huge blow to the Blues’ top-eight chances.

“We’re not building it up as that moment, that’s for sure,” Voss said.

“We’ve got another game against a really good opposition and we want to put out our best.

“We’re pretty clear on what we need to be able to do and the roles that we need to be able to fill and the style of footy that’s going to get us the win.

“What you make of it, you can write about it … but it’s (nothing more than) an important moment for us to be able to play against a really good opposition.”

A crowd of up to 90,000 has been tipped for the contest – a designated Collingwood home game – as Carlton seek their first win over the Magpies in Voss’s tenure as coach.

The sense of occasion is not lost on Voss, who was a boyhood Carlton fan before forging his name as a star player and premiership-winning captain in Brisbane.

“(Collingwood) is an arch-rival for our football club, so we understand the night and the occasion, but we can’t play the occasion,” Voss said.

“We’ve got to make sure that we get after the game itself. We’re just looking forward to it. We’re really excited.”

Voss is seeking to steer Carlton to their first finals appearance since 2013.

Collingwood ruined the Blues’ finals chances last year with a famous one-point comeback win in the last round of the home-and-away season.

“Some of the noises at the end of last year were some of the loudest I’ve ever heard,” Voss said.

“Just to be able to be in that environment often and to get that exposure to these particular games … they do take on that little bit of extra meaning.

“We’re certainly aware of what’s in front of us and the rivalry that exists.”