Details: SCG, Sunday 6 June, 3.20pm (AEST)
Broadcast: Channel 7 from 3pm, Fox Footy, AFL app, Kayo

THE GAME IN FOCUS:

As the Blues play their second game in a row at the SCG, consistency across four quarters will be a key focus for the 'hosts' given it has eluded them in recent weeks.

The league will be celebrating Sir Doug Nicholls Round for the second consecutive week, meaning Carlton will once again run out in their Indigenous guernsey on a day where Eddie Betts moves to third all-time for games played by an Indigenous player.

Both West Coast and Carlton will be desperate for a win this week, with both sides looking to recover from disappointing losses in Round 12.

The game will be played on neutral territory, meaning both sides have the chance to get a leg up on the Sydney ground: a venue where West Coast haven’t won in since 1999. 

LAST TIME WE MET: 

Carlton was the better side early in the piece in Round 11, but a strong finishing West Coast took home the four points. 

Tom De Koning showed Bluebaggers what he could do against star Nic Naitanui while Will Setterfield’s work through the middle was impressive

The Blues will be hoping for a case of deja vu from the star of the show that afternoon, where Zac Fisher returned after an extended stint on the sidelines to kick four highlight-worthy goals (and his first Brownlow vote).

BLUE FOCUS:

The Blues will have to deprive the Eagles of the ball given their standout disposal efficiency: they rank third in the league in that particular statistic.

Carlton will have to ensure it can break up West Coast’s ball movement, as well as making the most of their own opportunities going forward.

For Carlton to get the game on its terms, getting the ball straight from the centre bounce will be a must, with Sam Walsh, Patrick Cripps and Ed Curnow needing to put their best foot forward in the clearances against a West Coast team still containing some midfield star power.

GET EXCITED ABOUT:

The return of the excitement machine Zac Fisher will bring a smile to Bluebagger’s faces. 

Having been sidelined with an ankle injury, Fisher has been a notable missing link for the Blues throughout his injury, and he'll be looking to bring his weapons - his pace and class with ball in hand - to the table this afternoon.

As Harry McKay leads the race for the Coleman Medal, he'll have his work cut out for him in the air, with Tom Barrass looking to quell his every move.

BLUE VIEW: 

In Sir Doug Nicholls Round, Carlton will honour the past, present and future contribution that Indigenous people have made to the game. 

Fielding four Indigenous players of their own from all walks of life, the Blues will participate in a smoking ceremony prior to the match.

CARLTON has fallen by 22 points to the West Coast Eagles at the SCG.

Despite an arm wrestle across four quarters, the Blues couldn't get on top of the Eagles, who led at every change in the Round 12 contest.

Quarter one: 

Two early goals to the Eagles put the pressure on the Blues from the first bounce. West Coast used their spread to open up the ground, playing clean and efficient football. Carlton had some clear opportunities in front of goal, but wasn't able to convert into major scores. Will Setterfield finally broke the drought, kicking a goal from a forward stoppage, before Sam Walsh repeated the dose not long after. The Eagles' quick ball movement going forward caught the Blues' defence out, as Tom De Koning provided a tall target in the absence of Harry McKay, who came off early and didn't return due to a concussion. 

Quarter two: 

As West Coast stamped its control on the contest early, an Eddie Betts assist for Tom De Koning kept the Blues in reach. Marc Pittonet provided a strong target in the air opposed to Naitanui, often rotating forward with De Koning as the Blues looked to reorganise their forward structure. Zac Williams provided consistent pressure across half back against West Coast's surge, before back-to-back goals for Matthew Owies saw the Blues lead for the first time in the afternoon. A pair of late goals saw the Eagles retake the lead at the main break.

Quarter three: 

The Blues sprung a counter attack in the early minutes of the third term, with a triple effort from Jack Silvagni ending in Matthew Cottrell hitting the scoreboard. Adam Saad was intent on providing run and rebound from Carlton's back half, but West Coast's accurate delivery inside forward 50 saw the Eagles register some clean looks on goal. Betts kicked his first of the day while Walsh continued to battle manfully around the stoppages, before a classy Williams goal brought the Blues within a kick. After arguably being Carlton's best over three quarters, a concussion saw Nic Newman ruled out of the contest, as late goals once again proved costly for the Blues in the closing stages.

Quarter four: 

Eddie Betts did everything in his power to bring the Blues back into the contest, with an impressive snap putting the Blues within 10 points of the Eagles. The Blues were desperate to get the game back on their terms, but the Eagles managed to ride the wave and play the game in their forward half, kicking two crucial goals to open up a game-high lead. Jones' intercept marking behind the ball gave the Blues hope in the final moments, but it wasn't enough as the Blues were resigned to a 22-point defeat.

Three things from the game

1. Carlton needs to capitalise more when the game is on its term, and limit the damage the other way. The Blues dominated the opening term, but could only register three goals from their nine scoring shots, before late goals in the second and third terms denied them the lead at crucial stages of the game. If the Blues are going to turn these games into wins, efficiency in offence and defence is crucial.

2. The Blues will be buoyed by the performance of Tom De Koning. Playing his third consecutive game, De Koning was forced to be the sole key position forward for the large part of Sunday's game after Harry McKay was subbed out for Jack Newnes. With two goals and bringing the ball to ground, it was a mature performance for De Koning in an unfamiliar role.

3. Carlton's Indigenous brigade did everything possible to get their side a win in Sir Doug Nicholls Round. Eddie Betts' two second-half goals were as crafty as they were important in the context of the game, while Zac Williams was again strong across half back in contributing the most metres gained (602) of anyone on the ground while hitting the scoreboard. Liam Jones was also influential, recording 12 intercepts and nullifying Jake Williams and Bailey Williams as Jacob Weitering locked down Jack Darling.

CARLTON        3.6    6.9    9.10    10.13 (73)
WEST COAST   4.1    8.5   12.8    14.11 (95)

GOALS
Carlton: Betts 2, De Koning 2, Owies 2, Cottrell, Setterfield, Walsh, Williams

BEST
Carlton: Walsh, Williams, Weitering, Jones

INJURIES
Carlton: McKay (concussion), Newman (concussion)