The two biggest feel-good stories of the 2026 AFL season have made it beyond the home-and-away season, but only one of Melbourne or Carlton will get a true taste of September.

Nearly three years on from their semi-final blockbuster that saw the Blues progress through to their first preliminary final for 23 years, the duo will lock horns in front of a packed-out MCG crowd on Saturday night in the league’s first-ever wildcard weekend.

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It’s a barely believable reality for Josh Fraser’s side, who after Round 9, sat just percentage off the bottom of the table before sacking Michael Voss as head coach after four and a half years at the helm.

Since then, the Blues have gone on an 11-1-2 run that is the best of all 18 clubs since the commencement of Round 10.

Amid that phenomenal run though, Fraser is yet to take on Steven King — whose side beat the Blues by 23 points while Voss was still in charge back in Round 3.

Blues charge into wildcard clash | 02:28

As we know, the Blues are a different beast now, but the first-year mastermind has claimed a collection of big-name scalps this season. Hawthorn — twice — Brisbane and Fremantle have all fallen to the Demons, who hold a 10-2 record at the MCG in 2026.

With Jake Lever (toe) exiting the team for the do-or-die match, Jack Viney has been shot into the side as one of three inclusions after 372 days on the sidelines with an Achilles and back injury. The retiring Jake Melksham and first-year player Xavier Taylor also come back in, with Matthew Jefferson (knee) and Christian Salem (omitted) making way.

For the Blues, team selection this week was a little more simple. Veteran intercept defender Nick Haynes returns from an ankle niggle, replacing an unlucky Wade Derksen.

Once the opening siren blows at 7:35pm Melbourne time, the nullification of nine-time All-Australian Max Gawn could prove pivotal to the final result — as highlighted by opposing ruck Marc Pittonet to foxfooty.com.au this week.

“He’s very big … it’s so annoying! I’ve played him many times, and really, it’s just a matter of: ‘If I can split that match-up, then we’ll go a long way to winning,” Pittonet said on Monday afternoon at Ikon Park.

Gawn (left) and Pittonet (right) do battle during the 2024 Round 9 match between Carlton and Melbourne at the MCG on May 9, 2024.Source: Getty Images

“There’ll be times on the weekend where I’ll need to put my ego on the hook for the team.

“I don’t think I’ve ever beat (him). I reckon I’ve ‘held’ him, and then he’s had some great finishes. I’ve definitely had some draws, but I don’t think I could ever say beat.

“I think he’s the best ever. I think he’s a freak. The fact that he’s been this good for this long is just incredible.”

Match details: Melbourne vs Carlton from 7:35pm AEST at the MCG

Watch it live: On Fox Footy (Channel 504), and streaming on Kayo, from 6:30pm AEST