Eddie McGuire, the former president of Collingwood, found humour in Carlton’s dramatic loss to Richmond during an AFL match over the weekend. After leading by 41 points in the second quarter, the Blues suffered a remarkable comeback defeat, matching the Tigers’ record for their largest comeback victory.
On the “Eddie and Jimmy” podcast aired on Nine, co-host Jimmy Bartel remarked on the delight of rival fans who called into 3AW Radio to revel in Carlton’s misfortune as the night wore on. McGuire, sharing in the laughter, expressed how the match brought “great joy to people.”
The pivotal moment in the game came when Tigers player Seth Campbell celebrated his goal with an impressive backflip. Bartel acknowledged the excitement, calling it “awesome.”
During the match, McGuire attended a dinner beside Brendan McClements, the chief executive of Visit Victoria and a Carlton supporter. He amusingly recounted the evening while expressing optimism for Carlton’s future performance.
“I believe Carlton will be fine,” he said, pointing out that the unpredictability of football is what keeps fans engaged. He highlighted the ebb and flow of team fortunes in the match, recalling discussions prior to the game when many predicted Richmond wouldn’t win and Carlton was seen as a strong contender.
McGuire concluded with a striking analogy, suggesting the match’s twists and turns could rival a movie plot, underscoring the sheer unpredictability of the sport. He captured the disappointment of supporters who had begun to leave the game early, only to see Richmond claw back from a significant deficit, creating a scenario he described as unbelievable.