After a disappointing loss to North Melbourne last week, the Blues will be striving to make amends when they take on the Cats on Sunday at Etihad Stadium.
Geelong – currently placed second on the AFL ladder – will also be hoping to return to the winners list after going down to Collingwood by 24 points in an upset at the MCG.
The Blues are set to be bolstered by the shock return of ruckman Matthew Kreuzer and Levi Casboult, who have both been named in the 22-man squad, after recovering from their respective injuries quicker than anticipated.
Carlton’s senior coach Brendon Bolton reiterated to the media on Friday the Club “won’t put them (Kreuzer and Casboult) at risk” – if they don’t pass the relevant fitness tests, they may be late outs.
“We’ll make a really informed decision based on medical advice and how they’re pulling up from the sessions,” Bolton said.
In the lead-up to the game, Geelong coach Chris Scott told the media he was unfazed by the potential return of Kreuzer and Casboult, who moved freely in a light session on Saturday morning.
“It (the inclusions) took the footy world by surprise but it really doesn't change us too much,” Scott said.
“If there are guys under an injury cloud, we just assume they're going to play.”
Kreuzer and Casboult come into the Blues’ team at the expense of omitted pair Liam Jones and Daniel Gorringe, while the Cats have made three changes, bringing in Tom Lonergan, Billie Smedts and Jake Kolodjashnij for Daniel Menzel (soreness), Jed Bews (omitted) and George Horlin-Smith (omitted).
It’s going to be a tough test for the Blues who are yet to defeat Geelong at Etihad Stadium. The two clubs have met at the Docklands venue 14 times, with Carlton unable to walk away with the four points on any occasion – something the team would like to rectify.
“They’re (Geelong) a fair challenge, there’s no doubt about that,” Bolton said.
“They’ve got some real weapons up forward and we know their midfield now with Dangerfield and Selwood are formidable really, so it’s going to be a big challenge for us, but one we’re looking forward to.”
Even though the Cats claimed a 77-point win the last time these sides met, Scott knows the Blues are a new-look team under Bolton.
“We need to respect how well they (Carlton) play,” Scott said.
“They've (Carlton) obviously started a significant transition but you don't have to dig too far to look at their top-end talent,” Scott said.
It will also be the first time Lachie Henderson lines up against his former team, having requested a trade to the Cats towards the end of last season.
After playing 102 games for Carlton over six seasons, Henderson has found himself playing in Geelong’s defence as a lock-down defender this year.
Carlton takes on Geelong this Sunday for its Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round clash. The match kicks off in the traditional family-friendly 1:10pm timeslot.
