They have always said that old habits die hard, and while Nathan Buckley no longer stands within Collingwood's inner sanctum, his views still align with the most one-eyed of Pies.
Now calling the cooler surrounds of the commentary box home after vacating his coaching hot seat mid-way through the 2020 season, Buckley has staked his claim as a television and radio pundit.
And as talking heads are wont to do, Buckley provided his latest prediction for the 2023 season on Friday, one that will act as sweet music to the ears of the Magpie Army.
While Buckley professed to The Age that the Carlton's best footy under his old sparring partner, Michael Voss, was strong enough to challenge for a spot in September, the Brownlow medalist believes the Blues will trip again before the finals race begins.
“I reckon they'll miss (finals),” Buckley stated.
“Their best is bloody good.
“I think their plan A is really good. I just don't know - I don't know if they don't get it on their terms that there's enough capacity to win more than one way. Like clearances and aerial out of the front half looks it's it.
“I'm interested to see how that pans out.”
Having gone down by a solitary point against Collingwood in Round 23 last season, the Blues lost the finals footing they had held since the opening round of the season, missing out on eighth place by a fraction of a percentage point.
While the Blues won the flag during Buckley's second season as a Magpie, Carlton has played in just 17 finals since claiming their 16th premiership in 1995, reaching the grand final once in 1999.
Carlton's finals drought is now entering its 10th season, with its last September fixture coming in 2013 under the coaching of Buckley's former mentor, Mick Malthouse.
Across the course of his days with the Woods, Buckley faced off against Carlton on 40 occasions, exiting the arena with 20 wins and 20 losses.
The seven-time All-Australian's prediction comes just over a week after Carlton exacted the slimmest possible portion of revenge on Craig McRae's side, knocking off Collingwood in an unofficial practice match at Princes Park by 10 points.
The pair of eternal enemies will next meet in Round 10 at the MCG before facing off again during Round 20.