Details: Marvel Stadium, Sunday 27 June, 4:10 (AEST)
Broadcast: Fox Footy, AFL app, Kayo, Triple M 

The game in focus: 

After three losses in a row, this is a must-win game for the Blues as they come up against a determined Crows outfit. 

Carlton have been challenged in the last couple of weeks and need to start producing results to ease the pressure building at IKON Park. 

Adelaide are coming off a close win over St Kilda where they mounted a 30-point comeback to snatch the win late. 

Last time we met: 

The last time we faced the Crows was in the last round of the 2020 season. 

The Blues ended their first quarter with a 31-point deficit, but were able to narrow the margin to within two goals thanks in part to four majors from Harry McKay.

Adelaide was too good in the end, locking down Carlton in the final quarter and stifling a comeback in the late stages of the game. 

Will Setterfield laid nine tackles and collected four clearances, while Sam Walsh topped the disposals with 22 touches and six score involvements.

Liam Jones and Lachie Plowman did their best down the defensive end, gathering 13 intercepts between them. 

Blue focus: 

The Blues and the Crows are about as evenly matched as it comes in terms of stats. 

The two sides don't differ by more than three on disposals, inside 50s, clearances, disposal efficiency, tackles, hit-outs and contested possessions. 

To get over the top of Adelaide, Carlton will have to stick to what they do best: contested ground balls and clearances. 

With the Crows matching them in almost every area, it will take something special from the Blues to outplay them, as well as mounting a stronger defensive game and accuracy in front of goal. 

With ball magnet Rory Laird guaranteed to make an impact for Adelaide, Carlton will rely on the likes of Ed Curnow and Patrick Cripps to diminish the midfielder's influence. 

Get excited about: 

Two of the best forwards in the game will line up on opposite ends of the ground on Sunday afternoon. 

Harry McKay is currently leading the Coleman Medal count, sitting on 41 goals, with Tex Walker just behind him on 37. 

Both are a sight to see in terms of their strong contested marking and accuracy in front of goal. 

Seeing these two big men strut their stuff on opposite ends of Marvel Stadium will make for entertaining viewing, while  Liam Jones and Jacob Weitering will be put to the test in facing one of the most experienced tall forwards in the competition. 

Blue view: 

Having Bluebaggers back at the game is something we’ve all been looking forward to. 

The sound and the support that the Bluebaggers bring to a home game is unparalleled, always noted and appreciated by the players and coaches alike. 

CARLTON has held on at Marvel Stadium to record its fifth win of the season over Adelaide.

Defeating the comeback Crows by 10 points in their first game in Victoria since Round 10, the Blues performed in front of a vocal home crowd to hang on for a valuable four points.

Here is how it all unfolded on Sunday evening: 

Quarter one:

It was a slow start in Carlton’s first game back in Victoria, kept scoreless in the opening term until the final minutes. Gathering plenty of possessions, the Blues struggled to find avenues in attack while the ball floated into the Crows forward 50. Sam Walsh was Carlton’s primary ball-winner through the first term, showing plenty through the centre despite the scoreline. It took until the 16-minute mark of the opening term for a goal to be scored, with the Crows taking an early lead with two consecutive goals. Adam Saad then decided to take matters into his own hands, running off half back through the centre to kick truly towards goal. Less than a minute later and with the quarter drawing to a close, Harry McKay made it two in a row heading into the second term.

Quarter two:

McKay picked up where he left off in the opening minutes of the second term at Marvel Stadium, taking advantage of an inside 50 from Paddy Dow to notch his second. Eddie Betts then opened the floodgates for the Blues, with a sure kick putting the Blues in front. A Betts assist then led to Matt Owies’ first goal of the afternoon, shortly followed by an astonishing team goal that saw Jack Martin notch his own major. Having shared the love, Betts decided to kick another one of his own goals, selling the candy artfully in front of goal to record his second. But the jewel of the quarter had to be a captain’s goal from the recently re-signed Patrick Cripps that saw Blues come from around the ground to celebrate alongside the skipper. Despite a late Adelaide answer on the siren, it was a blistering eight-goal quarter from the Blues which saw them lead by 28 points at the main break.

Quarter three: 

From the first bounce of the third quarter, it was certain to be a fierce battle in the second half. The Crows came back on to the ground refreshed with a new-found attack after half-time. An early goal from Eddie Betts looked to be a strong opening for the Blues, but the Crows worked away at whittling away the lead with three consecutive goals. It was set to be a nerve-racking final quarter for Blues supporters, but a late settling goal from Jack Martin prompted a brief sigh of relief before the siren. Carlton's spirit was on display in a fiery third term, with teammates coming from everywhere after Jacob Weitering was on the receiving end of a late bump.

Quarter four: 

Adelaide kept the pressure on in the last term, with the four points still up for grabs at the start of the last term. Carlton’s defence was under siege for the final term, with two goals from Taylor Walker leaving Blues supporters with some late nerves. Desperate defensive efforts from Adam Saad, as well as tireless work from Liam Jones in the goal square, saw the Blues hang on to secure the 10-point win. 

Moment of the match:

Sublime all afternoon in his defensive efforts while impacting the scoreboard with a classy running goal, Adam Saad was at his brilliant best in a chase-down tackle late in the fourth. With the Blues under siege in their back half, Saad saved a near certain Crows goal and subsequently the match with his relentless run. 

Three things from the match

1. Patrick Cripps will continue to be the heart of soul of the Navy Blue for many years to come. Bluebaggers roared as the skipper kicked true for a second-quarter goal that continued the Blues' scoring flurry. As Blues ran from across the ground to celebrate with the skipper, supporters made Marvel Stadium feel like IKON Park as they got behind their man.

2. Sam Petrevski-Seton and Paddy Dow were bright sparks in a relatively new-look Carlton midfield. While Cripps and the excellent Sam Walsh (39 disposals) were there as always, the two Blues who have spent time in different areas of the ground looked at home in the centre bounce. After previously playing off half back, Petrevski-Seton burst out of the blocks before finishing with 14 disposals, while Dow was combative in a performance which yielded 20 disposals and a goal.

3. Carlton's strong intercept marking kept the side steady throughout the afternoon, despite repeat challenges from Adelaide. Carlton finished with the lion's share in the stat, notching 74 intercepts throughout the afternoon with Jacob Weitering and Liam Jones leading that count as always. Jones was brilliant in the final stages, while Weitering produced a career-high 16 marks.

Match Summary:

CARLTON      2.0       10.4     12.6     12.11 (83)
ADELAIDE     2.6       5.6       8.9       10.13 (73)
 
GOALS  
Carlton: Betts 3, Martin 2, McKay 2, Cripps, Dow, Owies, Saad, Williams
 
BEST  
Carlton: Walsh, Jones, Williams, Saad, Weitering, Kennedy,