Talking points

u Collingwood beat Carlton twice last year and both times its outside runners got a hold of the Blues. Steele Sidebottom was dominant.

u The Blues are not a team that tends to put a whole lot of defensive work into opposition half-back flankers, which likely means a big day for Nick Daicos.

u Darcy Moore versus Charlie Curnow looms as another huge match-up. The pair met twice last season, with Curnow kicking 4.2 and 2.5, but his inaccuracy was costly in round 23.

u If Darcy Cameron does not get up, can Carlton take advantage of the Magpies’ lack of ruckmen? Marc Pittonet is one of the most effective big men in the AFL when it comes to hit-outs to advantage.

u Will Harry McKay kick a drop punt with his first shot on goal?

NIC NEGREPONTIS

Prediction: Collingwood by 19 points

Latest News Grand Final Start Time

u One of the game’s time-honoured traditions will remain intact with the 2023 Grand Final set to start at 2.30pm at the MCG on Saturday, September 30. Incoming chief executive Andrew Dillon is a strong supporter of daytime Grand Finals, but in making the announcement this week, the League noted the “great presentation of a twilight event” and said that future start times would be reviewed.

PIES’ FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

u Ladder-leading Collingwood is the new star attraction of the AFL following the release of the rounds 16-23 fixtures. The Magpies will feature in four Friday night blockbusters, taking on the Western Bulldogs (round 17), Carlton (round 20), the Geelong Cats (round 22) and the Brisbane Lions (round 23). The fixture for round 24, will be announced one month before. See fixture page 52.

Greatest winning margin: 111 points, round 18, 2000, at Princes Park.

Longest winning sequence: 9, semi-final, 1905, to round 3, 1909. Most goals in a game: 11, Harry Vallence, first semi-final, 1931, at the MCG; preliminary final, 1932, at the MCG.

Collingwood

Away record: 57-72-2

Home record: 73-56-2

Highest score: 24.16 (160), round 3, 2000, at the MCG.

Lowest score: 0.9 (9), round 6, 1900, at Princes Park.

Greatest winning margin: 108 points, round 18, 2002, at the MCG.

Longest winning sequence: 7, round 7, 1897, to round 16, 1899. Most goals in a game: 11, Ron Todd, round 5, 1938, at Victoria Park.

Clarkson Steps Away

u North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson has stepped away from the club indefinitely as he continues to deal with the fall-out of an investigation into alleged mistreatment of First Nations players in his time at Hawthorn, allegations he strongly refutes. The club said Clarkson will have “whatever time he needs to restore his health”. Brett Ratten becomes interim senior coach.