‘Players can’t tell each other apart’: Fans rage as biggest flaw with AFL rivalry ignored... again

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It’s one of the AFL’s great rivalries, but once again a Collingwood vs Carlton game has left fans visually confused due to a lack of clash guernseys.

Neither the Magpies nor the Blues, the away team, wore a light-coloured top for Round 4’s clash at the MCG.

While Carlton wore white shorts and Collingwood wore black ones, the two tops both being primarily dark means it’s difficult to distinguish between players with their backs turned.

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“How on earth isn’t a clash guernsey being worn?!” journalist Daniel Garb tweeted.

“Not great on TV. Reckon the players can’t tell each other apart half the time.”

The SMH’s Vince Rugari said: “The guernsey clash here is insane. Absolutely ludicrous. Wouldn’t see this in any other competition on earth.

“No excuse for it. But they are both big Victorian clubs so it just happens, and nothing ever changes.”

Meanwhile the ABC’s Marnie Vinall tweeted: “I know I’m older than Collingwood’s average age, but surely this is a jumper clash.”

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 03: Scott Pendlebury of the Magpies handballs under pressure from Sam Walsh of the Blues during the round four AFL match between Collingwood Magpies and Carlton Blues at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on April 03, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

The fact Carlton has a primarily white guernsey, but was not made to wear it in this game, was a particular point of contention amongst fans.

Carlton is rarely made to use its white guernsey while teams like Fremantle and Port Adelaide frequently don the white tops when playing away.

Collingwood and Essendon often clash during the Anzac Day blockbuster as well, with many believing the bigger clubs get away with wearing their primary tops more often.

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