Carlton Vs Collingwood: 3 changes, 2 inclusions and Voss’s 100th in Thursday night’s Peter Mac Cup
Carlton Vs Collingwood arrives with more than rivalry attached to it: both clubs have reshaped their line-ups, and the occasion now carries milestone weight as well. Carlton has named three changes for the Round 6 clash, while Collingwood has responded with two inclusions for Thursday night’s meeting at the MCG. For the Blues, the return of Jacob Weitering, Harry Dean and Will Hayward adds another layer to a match that will also mark Michael Voss’s 100th game as AFL Senior Coach of Carlton.
Selection calls sharpen the Carlton Vs Collingwood edge
The most immediate story is the shape of the teams. Carlton has brought back co-vice captain Jacob Weitering, protege Harry Dean and forward Will Hayward. Weitering and Dean return after concussion absences, with Dean having missed the last two games and Weitering absent against the Crows. Hayward is straight back in after serving a suspension last week. Jordan Boyd, Wade Derksen and Hudson O’Keeffe make way.
On the other side, Collingwood has named midfielder Ed Allan and forward Will Hayes for its Round 6 line-up. Allan returns for game 19, while Hayes comes in for his fourth senior appearance. They replace Steele Sidebottom and Jordan De Goey, who are out through hip and concussion issues respectively. That means the contest opens with both clubs managing availability carefully, and carlton vs collingwood becomes a test not just of talent, but of how well each side can absorb disruption.
Milestones, matchups and the weight of the night
This is not a standard early-season fixture. Thursday night’s game is the 31st Peter Mac Cup, the longest running charity game in AFL history. It is also the 269th meeting between the two old enemies in VFL/AFL history, adding another layer to a rivalry already framed by expectation and scrutiny.
There are individual milestones on both benches. Voss reaches 100 games as Carlton Senior Coach, while Collingwood coach Craig McRae is set for his 300th game as a player and coach. McRae and Voss will face off in the coach’s box for the ninth time, with McRae holding seven wins from the previous eight meetings. Nick Daicos also brings a marker of his own, selected for his 100th AFL game. Jack Crisp’s selection for his 262nd Collingwood game moves him past club legend Jock McHale into outright eighth on the club’s all-time games list.
What the team sheets suggest beneath the surface
Beyond the headlines, the selections point to two different kinds of stability. Carlton’s returning defenders suggest an effort to reset structure after absences, while Hayward’s inclusion gives the Blues another avenue to goal in a forward line that now looks more dynamic. That matters because the club is entering a high-pressure night with a new-look defensive group and a forward unit that needs to turn availability into scoring impact.
Collingwood’s changes are narrower, but they still matter. Allan’s return adds midfield depth, while Hayes gives the Magpies another forward option. The absence of Sidebottom and De Goey removes experience and class from the middle of the ground, so the balance of the contest may hinge on how cleanly Collingwood replaces that production. In a game that is expected to be tight, small personnel shifts can matter more than they do in lower-leverage fixtures.
Why the Peter Mac Cup has broader significance
The match carries a charitable identity that has become part of its meaning. The Peter Mac Cup remains the longest-running charity game in AFL history, and that context gives Thursday night a public-facing significance beyond ladder position or selection headlines. The best player on the ground between Carlton and Collingwood will receive the Richard Pratt Medal, reinforcing the sense that individual performance will be judged under a wider spotlight.
Live broadcast coverage is set across multiple platforms, but the more important point is that the game sits at the intersection of rivalry, milestone and cause. For Carlton, a carlton vs collingwood night with Voss’s 100th adds narrative pressure. For Collingwood, the return of Allan and Hayes arrives inside a match that demands composure as much as energy. The contest is scheduled for Thursday 16 April at 7: 30pm ET at the MCG.
In a fixture built on history, selection decisions can still reshape the script. With both teams making changes and both coaches facing landmark moments, the question is not only who wins, but which side handles the occasion with greater control when carlton vs collingwood is finally decided.
