Collingwood Crush Carlton's AFL Wildcard Hopes in Dominant Win 2026

Collingwood crushed Carlton's AFL wildcard hopes with a dominant 90-69 victory, reminding the Blues exactly where they stand in the competition. For any AFL team that considers itself wildcard round material, Collingwood is the doorman. They’ll show the sides in footy’s middle classes exactly where their soft spots are, and how far they have to go.

Collingwood's Dominance Over Carlton Continues

For the best part of a decade and a half, Collingwood has been checking Carlton's credentials and knocking them back. The Pies have beaten them 14 of the last 16 times they’ve met. Nine of those have come under coach Craig McRae. They’ve included spiflications, capitulations, and abominations. They’ve included wayward shots after the siren and last-minute daggers to the heart.

Key Factors in Collingwood's Victory

Collingwood remains a team with a lot of limitations, but they have the same aces they’ve had for the entirety of McRae’s tenure. A recurring sight all evening was of a Blues player in space and seemingly poised to break open the game, only to be devoured by a Magpie. They did it up front and they did it down back, giving Carlton no room to breathe.

Carlton's Wildcard Hopes Dashed

For a few weeks under Josh Fraser, Carlton looked capable of snaring a spot in the AFL’s latest construct. But they’ve met their match against the two clubs that have given them the most grief in recent years – first against Hawthorn and then against Collingwood. Under Fraser, they’ve shed that sense of doom, but they needed this win more than any other.

What This Means for the AFL Wildcard Race

The loss leaves Carlton's wildcard hopes hanging by a thread. Collingwood's pressure was abnormal and almost alarming, forcing turnovers and dictating play. The Blues shot themselves in the foot in almost every instance, but Collingwood forced them to line up for hours and denied them entry.

• Collingwood's pressure was the deciding factor, with relentless tackling and defensive coverage.
• Nick Daicos and Scott Pendlebury provided on-field leadership and midfield dominance.
• Carlton struggled to convert opportunities, shooting 10.9 compared to Collingwood's 14.6.
• The loss drops Carlton out of wildcard contention, needing other results to go their way.

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