Indigenous Collingwood players Bobby Hill and Ash Johnson have asserted themselves early in the Magpies' Sir Doug Nicholls Round contest with arch rivals Carlton on Sunday.
Despite entering the match with eight sides between them on the AFL ladder, recent meetings between the two sides have been fiercely contested.
However, the opening term of Sunday's clash saw second-placed Collingwood carry on with their dominant form to start the season, blowing past the Blues to lead 5.2 (32) to 1.2 (8) at the first break.
Ballardong-Whadjuk Noongar man Hill put his side on the board early and celebrated in style.
Bobby out the back to open proceedings.#AFLBluesPies | #AFLDeadly pic.twitter.com/so9GMPk427
— AFL (@AFL) May 21, 2023
Former mid-season draft pick Johnson matched Hill minutes later with a set shot from 30 for Collingwood's second.
Johnson's first major regained an early lead, and stirred a loud raw from the Pies contingent in the packed MCG stands.
The sounds were just a taste of what was to come.
Johnson took screamer over three Blues defenders to kick his second, and the Magpies sixth, five minutes into the second term.
AIR JOHNSON ✈️#AFLBluesPies | #AFLDeadly pic.twitter.com/AeX7hlWzHD
— AFL (@AFL) May 21, 2023
Both men were involved in an exchanging of gifts with Carlton's Jesse Motlop before the first bounce.
