AFL legend Leigh Matthews would rather be Carlton than Collingwood right now as the Blues are playing a more attacking brand of football.
The two Victorian powerhouse clubs play contrasting styles with Carlton (4-7) averaging 85 points per game compared to 68 for the 2-9 Magpies.
Collingwood kicked just one goal in three quarters in last week’s loss to Geelong with coach Nathan Buckley emphasising a defence-first approach.
While Carlton’s leaky defence is an ongoing problem, Matthews says their capability of kicking a higher score makes them a better watch than Collingwood at the moment.
“Over the last four weeks, Carlton average 12 goals and the opposition 13, so they’re a goal down on the opposition. Collingwood are only a goal down, but eight goals to nine,” Matthews told Sportsday.
“I would have thought that Carlton fans are getting a bit more joy going to the footy because they’re scoring 12 goals on average than the Collingwood fans … even though on average they’re getting beaten by a goal a game.
“Everyone wants to win, but it’s better to kick a score and lose than kick nothing and lose.
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“I’m only making the comparison between two of the really big Melbourne clubs – Carlton and Collingwood – who have had poor winning years at the moment.
“I’d still prefer to be a Carlton supporter scoring and getting beaten by not quite kicking enough to win than the really low-scoring games that have become painful to watch.”
Carlton and Collingwood are both on the road this weekend as they prepare for respective clashes with West Coast at the SCG and the Crows at Adelaide Oval.