Jacob Weitering recalls recent Collingwood clashes and how they’ve shaped Carlton as a club

Ahead of their next meeting tonight, Jacob Weitering has revealed how the Blues have used their last three clashes with the Magpies as markers on the club’s road towards success.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. May 2, 2024. AFL … Carlton training at Ikon Park. Jacob Weitering of the Blues during todays very light session. Pic: Michael Klein

Jacob Weitering still has the vision on his phone.

It is the dying stages of Carlton’s heartbreaking one-point loss to Collingwood in the last round of 2022, complete with Jamie Elliott’s goal, which ultimately left the Blues out of the finals by the barest of percentage margins.

The Carlton vice-captain would be forgiven for forever consigning that moment to the deleted file.

But more than a year and a half on, he has kept it for one reason – he sees it as a key moment in the Blues’ renaissance as a competitive force again, a learning point that has helped to reshape their on-field fortunes.

Speaking ahead of Friday night’s blockbuster Carlton-Collingwood clash at the MCG, which importantly doubles as the Peter Mac Cup match designed to raise all-important funds for cancer research, Weitering is revelling in the rebirth of the rivalry between the two old foes.

Jacob Weitering and Lewis Young walk off the MCG after their shattering loss to Collingwood at the end of the 2022 season. Picture: Michael Klein

He is a firm believer in the theory that moments help to ‘make’ players and footy teams, as coach Michael Voss has told the Blues’ group on numerous occasions.

That 2022 loss to the Magpies, and what has followed for Carlton in the many months since, he said was important on the team’s pathway forward to hopefully the ultimate success.

He also credits the resilience of injured teammate and close mate Sam Docherty – who has twice beaten cancer as well as having three knee reconstructions – as part of the club’s inspiration in recent years.

“Vossy talks about moments, you can have some very good ones and some bad ones,” Weitering said.

“But they are all a part of the journey.”

Weitering said of that 2022 loss to Collingwood: “I’ve still got the last 30 seconds of that last game on my phone, you can see the Elliott goal and the build-up to it.”

Patrick Lipinski and Jamie Elliott celebrate after defeating Carlton in the final round of the home and away season in 2022. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

“In hindsight, you can’t stop it, what happened happened. To build something pretty special that year with Vossy (coach Michael Voss) and to be that close and miss out, was part of the making of this team.

“There are a few things you take with you throughout your career … Finishing ninth and missing out on percentage was heartbreaking, but it is good to remember where you have been, where you have come from and where you are going.”

Part of that is what has happened in the two games since against the Magpies – a loss earlier last season then an important victory late in the year.

“Fast forward six months on (from that 2022 game) we get beaten again by Collingwood … then we get to draw back on ‘Doc’s’ resilience and just the way we were able to get through it as a group.

“Then you fast forward another 10 rounds and we play them (Collingwood) in one of our more impressive performances as a team. We got the result (by 17 points in Round 20 last year).”

These recent games have helped to refuel footy’s most famous rivalry which wasn’t quite dormant but had cooled during the Blues’ tough years across the past two decades.

It has roared back into life in recent times with more than 90,000 expected at the MCG on Friday night.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. May 2, 2024. AFL … Carlton training at Ikon Park. Jacob Weitering of the Blues during todays very light session. Pic: Michael Klein

“It wasn’t quite there when I first started (after being taken as the No. 1 pick in the 2015 draft), which was a bit of a shame,” he said of the Blues-Pies rivalry.

“I don’t think it was anyone’s fault, but for a period we weren’t performing.

“Now I think the feeling is back. Collingwood are the reigning premiers and we have just reached 100,000 members, and they (the Magpies) have been there for a period of time.

“It is a healthy rivalry, the players certainly respect each other. But once we step over the white line, neither side wants to give an inch. Last year was an example of that, and I really think that (Round 20 win) was the making of us, and helped us during the finals.“

He said the fact the two teams play for the Peter Mac Cup in raising awareness and funds for those suffering from cancer made this contest even more special.

“Cancer is a significant issue throughout the world and closer to home both clubs have had some players (Docherty and Collingwood’s Bobby Hill) who have gone through a journey as well as family members and close friends,“ he said.

“To have hopefully 90,000 people there to witness some pre-game stuff and then hopefully we can put on a good show for everyone and we can make some fans happy.

“What goes on with the research and the funding, it is great to understand the meaning behind the game and on top of that you have the Carlton-Collingwood rivalry as well.”

He said Docherty had taught him so much about football – and life – with the way he has approached his cancer battles and injuries.

Sam Docherty celebrates a goal with Jacob Weitering. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“I guess drawing back on Doc’s experiences a few years ago (with his cancer fight) and even through his injury history, he is one of the most resilient individuals I have ever met.

“He is still a sounding board for us leaders, he got away for a bit (after his opening round knee injury) and he has now made the commitment to being on the bench for us for the rest of the season.

“He has been huge for me. He sees the game so well. He is a very good mate of mine and he has helped me through some hard times in my career as well.”

Docherty was the catalyst behind the return of the Peter Mac Breakfast this year, which was attended by 17 of his teammates.

He is a board member of the Peter Mac Cancer Foundation.

Weitering said the Magpies presented another big challenge following on from last week’s narrow loss to Geelong.

“Being five (wins) and two (losses) to start the year, we didn’t get the result we wanted last week (against Geelong),” he said.

Sam Docherty gives Liam Contarin a signed jumper. Carlton footballer Sam Docherty is donating $30,000 to Peter Mac for cancer research and $10,000 to McKillop Family Services. It is from his Jim Stynes award – Sam had cancer and will be pictured with a 23-year-old Blues fan Liam Contarin who was diagnosed with the same cancer around the same time. Picture: Jason Edwards

“But this is an awesome opportunity for both clubs. Collingwood has come off some good recent form, but they are probably not in the position they want to be on the ladder. For us, it is a chance to play our brand of footy against a really good side.

“We have a tough run in the next four or five weeks, but the boys are up for the challenge. I’m sure we will put on a good show.”

He said the club’s breakthrough moment of reaching 100,000 members this year showed how strong the Blues’ army can be.

“When I first started we weren’t winning many games and it is always pretty hard to get people along to the footy when you are not performing well,” he said.

“A lot of the older people around the club in those premiership years were always saying ‘just wait until we start winning’.

“It’s great to see so many people coming out and so many kids supporting us. I look back on the finals game against Melbourne last year. That was one of the best experiences of my life.

“The roar was unbelievable and then we travelled to Brisbane and it felt like a home game for us.

“The fans have done a great job for us. They keep coming along and hopefully we can get the job done for them.”

Originally published as Jacob Weitering recalls recent Collingwood clashes and how they’ve shaped Carlton as a club