With another twilight match looming and just a six-day break between engagements, Carlton’s encounter with Brisbane at the Gabba poses a genuine challenge for the touring party.

The Lions are without the injured Daniel Rich, who has traditionally fared well against the Blues, but go in with the two Rs – Redden and Rockliff – the latter returning after a brief injury layoff.

Given the tyranny of distance, Redden goes largely unnoticed by  a lot of Victorians. But in truth he’s Brisbane’s chief disposal winner and leads the Lions in contested disposals.

In Rich’s absence, Redden has emerged as his team’s pre-eminent midfielder, and he also happens to lead the Lions in centre clearances and clearances around the ground.

To complement his effectiveness as an inside-midfielder, Redden’s silky-smooth and isn’t afraid of using these skills in dangerous parts of the ground.

Rockliff, meanwhile, boasts higher average stats than his midfield partner in crime, but injury and suspension has adversely impacted on his numbers – and yet he still leads the Lions in kicks, handballs and uncontested possessions.

Throw in the captain Jed Adcock, who leads his team for kicks and rebound 50s, and the Irishman Pearce Hanley, who’s strung together two solid games leading in to the bye, and the challenge is formidable for Mick Malthouse’s men.