First-year Carlton coach Mick Malthouse faces his first match in charge against Essendon on Friday night and the veteran mentor says he’s not getting caught up in the hype surrounding one of the AFL’s fiercest rivalries.
Malthouse, who coached Collingwood from 2000 to 2011 as they waged war with the Blues each season in epic clashes, says he knows little of the Carlton-Essendon history.
“I don’t get caught up in any of those things,” triple-premiership coach Malthouse told a news conference on Thursday.
“History’s history. Those who get caught in it are quite welcome to.
“I don’t take anything away from history.
“If the player group or anyone else gets caught in that, for the supporters, it’s terrific.
“I don’t think there’s anything better than playing against rivals that you’ve had some history with.
“As far as I’m concerned, as far as the players are concerned, we’ve got too much at stake to worry about getting caught up in any previous history.
“Those who take it on board, fantastic. I’m not going to stop it.
“I don’t know enough about that rivalry … to use it as anything else except that we play Essendon and they are sitting one win in front of us.”
Fifth-placed Essendon have a 7-3 record after 10 rounds while the Blues are sixth on 6-4, although the Bombers have looked shaky in the past month with losses to Brisbane, Geelong and Sydney.
“They’ve won seven games. They’re going okay,” Malthouse said.
Carlton are yet to beat a team currently in the the top eight this season, having lost to Richmond and Collingwood in the opening two rounds.
Malthouse says he’s not preoccupied with claiming a big-name scalp.
“It might be good for the media and it might be good for the supporters and all that sort of stuff,” Malthouse said.
“The four points are four points. Yes we call these eight-point games.
“I can’t remember ever getting eight points for a win.”
The Blues regain small forward Eddie Betts from suspension while defender Heath Scotland is set to play his 200th game for the club.
Dual Brownlow Medallist Chris Judd, who was rested from last week’s win over Greater Western Sydney with a sore hamstring, is expected to be recalled.
