Carlton vs St Kilda Wildcard Showdown
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The Faceless Foe Fallacy
The upcoming match between Carlton and St Kilda at Marvel Stadium has all the makings of a high-stakes showdown, but beneath the surface lies a more nuanced reality. While fans may be eager to see which team will emerge victorious in the battle for a wildcard spot, the actual animosity between these two clubs is not as cutthroat as one might assume.
The fact that both teams have shared 46 players over their history highlights the fluidity of player movement in professional sports. The trade period last year saw high-stakes maneuvering from both teams, with Carlton letting go of Jack Silvagni and Tom De Koning to join St Kilda. These moves were not particularly contentious, as both players were seen as assets for the Saints rather than coveted by the Blues.
A minor skirmish earlier this year saw Carlton VFL player Ethan Phillips’ clearance to St Kilda’s VFL list taking longer than necessary, but it appears that both teams are happy to play hardball within reason. Coaches Ross Lyon and Josh Fraser have struck a pragmatic tone in their pre-game comments, focusing on building their team’s identity and playing brand of football rather than dwelling on past rivalries or personal vendettas.
The history between these two clubs reveals a lack of a true rivalry. The five finals matches they’ve contested pale in comparison to other clubs, and St Kilda’s winning record against Carlton is their lowest among all opponents. Even the 1972 preliminary final, often cited as one of the most consequential clashes between the two teams, does not tell the whole story.
In fact, it was during the late-1980s that the Saints attempted to turn around their fortunes by poaching experienced Blues players. Alex Jesaulenko’s move to St Kilda in 1980 marked a pivotal moment in this effort, but ultimately, these moves failed to yield significant results. Today, however, the Saints have begun to assert their dominance over the Blues at Marvel Stadium, with a 22-8 head-to-head record at this venue.
Sunday night will be different, though. Lyon noted during the week that Fraser has done an impressive job of improving Carlton’s defense by six goals. The Blues are now a force to be reckoned with, and this match promises to be one for the ages. In reality, the faceless foe fallacy is precisely that – a fallacy. While fans may see this match as a battle between two teams with deep-seated rivalries, it’s actually a game about process over outcome, brand of football over personal grudges. The real question on everyone’s mind should be: what will these two teams bring to the table?
Reader Views
- TCThe Cart Desk · editorial
One aspect the article glosses over is how the fluidity of player movement might impact the teams' cohesion and identity. With so many shared players over the years, it's possible that both Carlton and St Kilda have a diminished sense of "team culture" compared to clubs with stronger historical continuity. This could be an area where Ross Lyon's pragmatic approach pays dividends, as he focuses on building a consistent playing style rather than relying on individual stars or nostalgia-tinged rivalries.
- PRPat R. · frugal living writer
It's time for some cold hard truth - these two teams have been milking their supposed rivalry for far too long. Let's not forget that both Carlton and St Kilda have a history of poaching each other's players. The 1972 preliminary final may be touted as a classic, but its significance is exaggerated. Meanwhile, the real story lies in the trades that occurred last year - Jack Silvagni and Tom De Koning moving between clubs without so much as a whisper about betrayal or heartbreak. It's all just part of the business.
- SBSam B. · deal hunter
While the article does a great job of debunking the notion of a Carlton-St Kilda rivalry, I think it's worth noting that this match still has a lot riding on it for both teams. With the wildcard spot up for grabs, we can expect some intense defensive football and strategic decision-making from both coaches. The fact that Lyon and Fraser have downplayed past animosities suggests they're focused on getting their respective teams into the finals, but don't count out some competitive fire burning beneath the surface – after all, this is still a high-stakes showdown in front of a packed Marvel Stadium crowd.