Carlton will be striving for back-to-back wins when the Blues take on the Gold Coast Suns at Etihad Stadium this weekend.
After defeating Port Adelaide by four points last week, the Blues will be aiming to bring the same effort and competitive spirit on Sunday afternoon.
In the lead-up to the match, Suns coach Rodney Eade said the Blues have got some “real talent” and he expects a challenge.
“Carlton have got a lot of confidence back in the group…they’re freed up and they’re taking the game on,” Eade said.
Although the Suns sit on the bottom of the ladder, Carlton coach John Barker says he’ll be expecting a “solid game” after the Gold Coast narrowly lost to top-of-the-table Fremantle last week.
"(Gold Coast) squeezed Fremantle to within an inch in their very last outing,” Barker said.
"They're a very good football club – they're going to get a lot of good players back this week.
"We're under no illusion – it's going to be a very solid game."
While Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett hasn’t been recalled, the Suns will be boosted by the return of Steven May, Matt Shaw and Harley Bennell.
Bennell, known for his silky skills and dash, racked up 27 disposals the last time these two sides met in Round 20 last year.
The Blues won that match by 39 points with Tom Bell booting a career-high four goals and Marc Murphy and Bryce Gibbs collecting 28 disposals each.
Unfortunately for the Blues, Gibbs will miss the game through suspension after accepting a two-match ban for his tackle on Port Adelaide's Robbie Gray last week.
The game also marks Gold Coast’s 100th match in the AFL. Carlton fans will remember it was the Blues, back in Round 2, 2011, who welcomed the Suns to AFL football with a 119-point thumping at the GABBA – so it seems only fitting they will battle it out in match 100.
Before the match the Northern Blues and Frankston will play a curtain raiser at 12noon. So head down early to catch two games for the price of one. Get your tickets at www.ticketmaster.com.au or at Gates 3 and 7.
