Carlton coach Michael Voss has opened up on the importance of the rivalry with Collingwood ahead of the blockbuster Friday night clash.
The Blues are flying early in 2024, sitting 5-2 after seven rounds.
Meantime, the Pies have had a slower start, but sit 3-3-1.
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Both sides seem to be peaking at just the right time to meet.
Now, Voss has opened up on what the rivalry means to his players and why he places so much importance on their role in keeping it alive.
"When you come to Carlton, that's (rivalry) only reinforced. It's history you get to tap back into, it's all part of your story," Voss said on Thursday.
"It's really important to understand where you've come from and why it's important as a club."
Voss declared the Blues are finally a relevant side again, which he believes is the simple essence behind what makes a rivalry successful.
"The only reason they become rivalries is because you have relevance, you're playing big games against one another and important moments in seasons," he said.
"Both these clubs have (relevance). They've played against each other in the home-and-away season, in finals against one another, in grand finals against one another."
The Blues are the most recent victors against their old foes, downing them in 2023 by 17 points at the MCG.
But Voss says that win doesn't matter on Friday night.
"Understanding the history of that is really important because when we go out there on the weekend, we can't do much about that history except play the next moment," he said.
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"We've had some recent history with them in the last couple of years, they've been able to go on and experience the ultimate and we haven't.
"We're still chasing us, but we also acknowledge the game and the rivalry that exists. We're looking forward to it."
There are more than 90,000 expected at the MCG for the clash.
The Blues have swung the axe for the match, making four changes.
Midfielder Adam Cerra headlines the ins for Carlton, while Brodie Kemp, Ollie Hollands, Jaxon Binns and Jack Carroll have all been omitted.
Meantime, the Pies have been forced to make crucial changes, with star midfielder Jordan De Goey sidelined with a groin complaint, while Tom Mitchell is out with a plantar fasciitis flare up.
Lachie Sullivan will debut for Collingwood after just 10 weeks on their playing list.
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