Details: Metricon Stadium, Saturday 10 April, 7.20pm (AEST)

Broadcast: Channel 7, Fox Footy, AFL app, Kayo

THE GAME IN FOCUS:

Carlton will be looking to back-up its positive performance against Fremantle last week by putting on a similar showing against Gold Coast.

Gold Coast have been right in the contest throughout the first three rounds, with their young talent such as Noah Anderson and Ben King leading the way. 

Carlton midfielders Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh had a particularly impressive game last week, alongside Liam Jones' defensive efforts and Harry McKay’s prominence in front of goal. 

The Blues will be looking to see a consistent effort from their leaders, as well as some of their younger talent standing up too. 

LAST TIME WE MET: 

The last time the Blues faced the Suns was on a humid night in Darwin during Sir Doug Nicholls Round. 

It was the Blues who secured a 33-point win over the Suns, leading from start to finish with Michael Gibbons - who polled the three votes - and McKay kicking two apiece.

Jack Newnes was strong through the midfield, while Jacob Weitering kept Ben King scoreless in a dominant performance. 

BLUE FOCUS:

With Zac Williams coming out of the side, the Blues will want to maintain their speed through the centre against a classy Suns outfit. 

Hugh Greenwood laid 13 tackles for Gold Coast last week and gathered 10 clearances, so Carlton’s clean hands around the content will be key to quell Greenwood's input offensively and defensively.

The Blues' ball movement was better last weekend, finding plenty of avenues for scoring opportunities even despite their inaccuracy early. 

Creating and capitalising on those opportunities once again will be a key focus for the Blues against a tenacious Suns back line.

GET EXCITED ABOUT:

McKay v King. 

Two of the league's best young goalkickers will position themselves at opposite ends of Metricon Stadium, with both tall forwards always capable of turning a game on its head.

After his career-high seven goal outing last weekend, McKay currently sits third on 13 goals for the season while King has contributed 10 from his three games.

Seeing how McKay responds to his dominant showing will be something all Bluebaggers will be keen to witness, while the defensive line-up led by Jacob Weitering will have the job of minimising King’s impact at the opposing end. 

BLUE VIEW:

Back to the home away from home.

After last year's extended stay in the Sunshine State, this is the first time Carlton will travel to Queensland since spending the majority of the season there last year.

Queensland Bluebaggers will be able to see their side live again on the Gold Coast when the Blues return to the familiar surrounds of Metricon Stadium.

The Blues come out on top in a tough contest against the Suns at Metricon Stadium. 
 
On a humid night, Carlton got over the line by 11 points, controlling the territory for most of the game.

Quarter 1 

Gold Coast came out of the gates first at Metricon Stadium, kicking the first goal and dominating possession while Carlton struggled to mark the ball in humid conditions. Sam Docherty provided some good intercept work across half-back while Michael Gibbons did well setting up the forward 50. The Blues’ kicking efficiency gave them trouble early, unable to hit targets down the line. Lachie Fogarty continued his impressive form as a pressure player, producing handy clearances in contested situations. It was the veterans who got the ball rolling, with Eddie Betts setting up a Marc Murphy goal. The majority of the quarter was played in the Blues' forward half, however they were unable to make the most of their opportunities in front of goal.

Quarter 2

Betts opened the quarter with a dribbling goal from the pocket while the Suns tried to get the game back on their terms. Matthew Cottrell did well at moving the ball in transition while Murphy had plenty of the Sherrin, setting up scoring opportunities. Gold Coast ramped up the pressure, scoring three goals in a row and getting the better of Carlton in the clearances. Ed Curnow was important through the middle, getting plenty of the ball in transition, then followed up his own handy-work and slotted a goal. Murphy kicked his second classy goal of the night as the Blues started to rise to the challenge set by the Suns. Carlton were unable to lock the ball inside their forward 50, but repeat entries through Liam Jones’ dominant intercept marking gave the Blues plenty of chances to hit the scoreboard.

Quarter 3

Luke Parks administered intense pressure in defensive 50 as the Suns came surging forward early in the third. Sam Petresvki-Seton contributed pace and class while Curnow continued to battle it out in the centre of the ground. There was a lot of end-to-end play with neither side able to hit the scoreboard, resulting in a low scoring quarter. Gold Coast’s repeat entries into their forward 50 saw them close the margin before Matthew Cottrell answered with a quick set-shot goal. Will Setterfield was a welcome addition to the side, making an impact in the contest at either of the ground.Patrick Cripps played a tough physical game, leading the tackle count for the Blues. Carlton dominated the intercept mark count and centre clearances in a slippery contest, but Gold Coast were able to hang on in terms of scoring. 

Quarter 4

In a relatively even contest, both teams struggled to hit targets in humid conditions. Jacob Weitering was able to keep Ben King quiet and Saad was consistent in moving the ball out of the defensive half. It was a game of kick-to-kick, with both sides going long down the line, unable to create space or gain territory in a sluggish final term. A goal from Harry McKay put the Blues in a positive position, while Matt Kennedy was subbed on for Jack Silvagni, who left the field following a tackle on the boundary line. Carlton owned territory in the final term, spending most of the quarter in its half of the ground and keeping Gold Coast goalless for the quarter. 

Three things from the game 

1. The veterans can still turn it on in the forward line for the Blues. The likes of Eddie Betts, Marc Murphy and Levi Casboult contributed four goals and made an impact in the forward half in terms of contested marking and score involvements. Ed Curnow also got in on the show, slotting a major and having plenty of the ball all over the ground.

2. Jack Newnes quietly goes about his business week in, week out. While he may not be drawing attention, Newnes is a solid role-player who gets plenty of the ball - especially in transition - and is a vital link in the Blues’ midfield chain. 

3. The Blues half-back line was crucial tonight. Made up of Adam Saad, Sam Docherty and Sam Petresvki-Seton, the trio was fast and clean when clearing the ball from their defensive 50, allowing the last line of defence some breathing room, whilst also setting ball in the forward half. 

Moment of the match

The opening goal of the game wound back the clock, as Betts set up a goal for Murphy. In a very clean passage of play, the Blues delivered the ball from half back to Murphy, who gave it off to Betts. Betts got the ball back to Murphy while on the run who produced a right-foot banana to snag the Blues first goal of the night.

Match summary 

GOLD COAST    1.2      4.4     8.8       8.11 (59)
CARLTON          2.4     6.6     8.9       9.16 (70)

GOALS
Carlton: McKay 2, Murphy 2, Betts, Casboult, Cottrell, Cripps, Curnow

BEST
Carlton: Curnow, Jones, Walsh, Docherty, Petrevski-Seton, Weitering

Crowd: 11,618 at Metricon Stadium