COLLINGWOOD and Carlton are the fiercest of rivals, so rarely has there been a more touching moment between the two famous clubs than Mason Cox's interaction with Sam Docherty.
During a joint Collingwood-Carlton press conference ahead of Friday night's monster clash at the MCG, Cox, the Magpies big man, stopped mid-answer to pay tribute to Docherty's courageous fight with testicular cancer.
Docherty has returned to play a key role for the Blues during the past two seasons after two battles with cancer in 2020 and 2021.
"I've never actually told you this, but when you went through it, I actually got checked myself because I wasn't quite sure," Cox told Docherty on Monday.
"I'm sure you've been told this a million times, but the fact that you had to go through it provides so much for other people, that maybe you're questioning whether or not they're going through it.
"It's credit to you. Seriously, it's amazing.
"I know it's a tough thing for you to have to go through, but you're changing lives beyond what you realise. You're making a huge impact."
The two traditional Melbourne powerhouses have played for the Peter Mac Cup since 1993 – the longest-running charity match in the AFL.
Occurring whenever the two sides meet for a Collingwood home game, the match raises funds and awareness for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne, where Monday's press conference was held.
"I'm a regular patient, I'm in here every three months getting scans and blood tests," Docherty said.
"My journey is still ongoing and a part of my life.
"As bad as I was and as crook as I was, those nurses got me through and I'm very thankful and very grateful for this place to be here.
"Physically, I've got some limitations these days, I've got a few pinholes in my stomach from surgeries and all sorts of stuff."
Collingwood beat Carlton at the MCG in round 10 but the Blues will enter the return clash on a five-game winning streak.
Carlton's finals hopes are well and truly alive as it sits ninth with five games remaining in the home and away season.
Collingwood is on track to wrap up the minor premiership in the coming weeks after its thrilling win over second-placed Port Adelaide on Saturday night.
The Magpies came from 17 points down at three-quarter time to prevail by two points, moving two games and percentage clear of Port.