Details: SCG, Saturday 30 May, 3.20pm (AEST)
Broadcast: Channel 7 from 3pm, Fox Footy, AFL app, Kayo

THE GAME IN FOCUS:

Carlton will be looking for its second win in a row when they come up against Sydney this week.

While the Blues played impressive football in parts against the Hawks, their efficiency going forward will be key against the Swans, as well as their ability to defend the entire ground on Sydney's home deck.

The Blues will be well aware of what they're up against: a hard and fast Sydney outfit hungry for a big win in the top-eight race.

The two sides will run out through a joint banner to celebrate the Marn Grook game, where both 2021 AFL Indigenous guernseys will be on display for the first time. 

LAST TIME WE MET: 

Bluebaggers might remember this game by the mark, goal and celebration from Matthew Cottrell. 

The Blues fought back from a 39-point deficit to snatch a five-point victory over the Swans at Metricon Stadium. Sam Walsh was everywhere on the wing, while his good mate Will Setterfield played an important role in getting Carlton back into the game.

Harry McKay slotted two important goals in the comeback, while in the absence of Marc Pittonet, Tom De Koning rose to the occasion as the sole ruckman.

It was left to the boyhood Bluebagger to write the final chapter: Cottrell sealed the game with a huge grab, followed by his second career goal that got the Blues over the line. 

BLUE FOCUS:

It's been a new-look Sydney which has taken the competition by storm at stages this year: they've got no shortage of players that can either hit the scoreboard or transition the ball from defence to attack. 

Carlton’s defensive work will need to be tight, not only in their back half, but just as important in their forward half to eliminate Sydney’s movement in transition. 

The Swans are ranked number one in the league for tackles inside 50, so the Blues will have to be on their game and back the likes of Liam Jones and Jacob Weitering to win the ball in the air and avoid it hitting ground level.

While the Blues have the better of stoppage clearances, the Swans have better numbers in the centre clearances, so the midfield group will need to get to work to get their hands on the ball first. 

GET EXCITED ABOUT:

Jack Martin will be returning to the line-up this week after sustaining knee injury in Round 2. 

Martin will add some much valued speed and goal threat to the Blues' forward mix, known for hitting the scoreboard and sharp delivery into the forward 50. 

Sam Walsh will also play his 50th game this weekend for Carlton. 

Having already won the 2019 NAB AFL Rising Star, 2019 AFLPA Best First-Year Player, 2020 AFLCA Best Young Player and finishing second in the 2020 John Nicholls Medal, Walsh has had quite a start to his career, but we have a feeling the best is yet to come. 

BLUE VIEW: 

Carlton will be taking part in the Marn Grook game this weekend when they face Sydney. 

The two teams will participate in a smoking ceremony pre-game before running out together through a joint banner.

Marn Grook at the SCG honours the Indigenous roots of Australian football and recognises the valuable contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players to the game. 

The Swans have hosted their Marn Grook game since 2002, and the Blues are honoured to be included in the game this year. 

The Blues will be wearing their Indigenous guernsey for the first time in a two-week stretch, with both Rounds 11 and 12 marking Sir Doug Nicholls Round in 2021.

CARLTON has fallen by 22 points to Sydney at the SCG.

Despite the best efforts of Patrick Cripps, Sydney managed to grind the Blues down in the second half after a fast start by the visitors.

Quarter one: 

Sydney started the game strong, slotting a goal within the first minute of the game and setting the early tone with rampant pressure around the ball.  After not being allowed clean possession early, 50-gamer Sam Walsh stamped himself on the contest while Harry McKay got the Blues on the board from a set shot. The returning Jack Martin's presence in the side was welcome, while it was another Jack (Silvagni) who did further damage on the scoreboard. Strong forward pressure led to an impressive snap frorm Zac Williams, who had another bright opening across half back, while fellow recruit Lachie Fogarty had a strong impact at ground level. When Eddie Betts delivered a classic Eddie Betts goal from the boundary, the Blues found themselves 18 points in front, but the final stages of the term were dominated by the hosts: the Swans took a one-goal lead into the main break.

Quarter two: 

Two timely goals from Betts and Patrick Cripps was exactly the start that Carlton needed in the second term. Liam Stocker’s physicality was on display down back as the Blues were able to play the game in their half in the early going. Assisted by Tom De Koning, Marc Pittonet had the better of the hitouts in the ruck against Callum Sinclair, while fellow big man Levi Casboult was stationed down back against Hayden McLean. Repeat forward 50 entries gave the Blues plenty of chances to score but the Swans' defence, led by Harry Cunningham, played desperate footy. Ed Curnow and Will Setterfield delivered consistently into the forward line as McKay once again hit the scoreboard with multiple goals, but ultimately, the Blues didn’t make the most of their extended stint in their forward half. Jacob Weitering provided strong defence as Sydney started to get their own repeat 50 entries in the late stages of the quarter. Goals from Isaac Heeney and Lance Franklin tightened up the contest, putting Carlton just one-point up at the half-time break. 

Quarter three: 

Tough contested work from Ed Curnow got the ball rolling in the third-term, but a goal from Tom Papley was not ideal for Carlton’s momentum. Cripps’ effort through the middle was strong, having the most metres gained on the ground, as well as leading the team in tackles and disposals in the third quarter. Weitering’s intercept marking was vital in preventing Sydney scoring as they continued to press forward. Cripps’ second goal was much-needed for the Blues, as they started to trail behind on the scoreboard. Marc Murphy joined the game after being subbed out for Michael Gibbons, who came from the ground with hamstring tightness. Pittonet’s aerial work was useful around the ground, while his ruck partner De Koning gave the Blues the lead back: however, a late Heeney goal saw the Blues three points in arrears.

Quarter four: 

An opening goal from Josh Kennedy put the pressure on Carlton as they trailed by nine points. The Swans controlled the ball, leaving the Blues scrambling to defend and catch up to their fast-paced forward movement. Sydney got the better of Carlton in contested ball and the clearances, but Carlton’s attacking entries - which had served the well throughout the afternoon - didn’t put them in a scoring position. The Swans were dominating the possession, as the Blues struggled to get their hands on the ball. Cripps tried to will Carlton over the line, snapping a goal to bring his team within striking distance, but the Swans would ultimately seal the game with a 22-point margin.

Three things from the game

1. Late fadeouts cost the Blues in a big way on Sunday. After dominating the majority of the first and second terms, the visitors had only a one-point lead to show for it after red-time goals to the Swans. Their kicking efficiency and contested dominance dropped after half time, ultimately seeing the Swans overrun the Blues in the final term.

2. Patrick Cripps was back to his best. The co-captain did everything possible to will his team back into it, producing one of his best performances in the last two years.  Gathering 27 disposals, 18 contested possessions, six tackles and slotting three goals, Cripps had a key impact on the attacking and defensive side of the game.

3. You wouldn’t know it was Sam Walsh’s 50th game by looking at him. The third-year player performs like an experienced midfielder, providing class and efficiency with ball-in-hand, as well leadership and football smarts. Today in his 50th game, he totalled 33 disposals, 14 contested possessions and nine clearances in what was an otherwise tough result for the Blues.

Moment of the match

Eddie Betts in Sir Doug Nicholls Round. 

Just watch. 

Match summary:

SYDNEY               5.3       8.4      11.6      15.10 (100)
CARLTON            4.3       8.5      10.7      11.12 (78)

GOALS

Carlton: Cripps 3, McKay 3, Betts 2, De Koning, Silvagni, Williams

BEST

Carlton: Cripps, Walsh, Williams, Weitering