Not even the most passionate, one-eyed Bluebagger would have thought Carlton would be here 15 weeks ago.
When Michael Voss departed with one win from nine games, obituaries were shared far and wide of another failed attempt by the Blues at building towards a premiership.
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A Carlton crisis was once again the punch line of many jokes.
A media scrum surrounding players in the Ikon Park carpark as the club imploded was happening more than frequently than an Olympic Games, a FIFA World Cup or an Ashes series.
With another coach gone and inability to hold onto a second half lead, the Blues appeared confined to more years in the doldrums.
Another rebuild was on the agenda with many suggesting the only way forward was to trade away established stars in another off-season exodus.
The rationale was to bank more top end picks before Tasmania clogs up the first round of upcoming drafts.
But they say a week is a long time in footy.
Eleven wins, one draw, two losses and one bye later and the Blues are in the wildcard.
It has come as a shock, but this club only does things to the extremes.
Melbourne legend Garry Lyon summed up Carlton’s 2026 season best on Fox Footy during last Saturday’s 37-point win over minor premiers Fremantle by declaring it “the rollercoaster of rollercoasters”.
And the wild ride has left the AFL licking its lips.
A blockbuster wildcard meeting between famous rivals Carlton and Collingwood may not have eventuated, but the league’s hierarchy will be pleased with two nights of a packed-out MCG this weekend to stuff the coffers.
Fox Footy’s David King has stood by his stance that the wildcard is a “cash grab”, but regardless of your thoughts about the concept, everyone can agree it is about entertainment.
