ONE PERFECT start to the 2024 season will end when Carlton meets Fremantle at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
With both sides enjoying 3-0 starts to the current campaign, the Blues and Dockers will clash in one of the high-quality contests taking place in South Australia this weekend — and one of the most intriguing.
Recent history suggests the Blues may have the edge over the Dockers, having won six of their last seven games against the opposition, but they’ll be well aware that form lines can change in an instant: in the six years before that, Carlton enjoyed just one win over today’s opponent.
Then there’s the matter of the Blues heading to Adelaide Oval, where they’ve never tasted success after a decade of games. If the Blues are going to reverse those fortunes, they’re going to have to get the game on their terms.
It’s an interesting clash of styles to come, with the Blues in 2024 looking to capitalise off turnover while the Dockers have showcased their ability to withstand pressure in defence as they look to dominate possession.
Fremantle has been the No.1 defence for least points conceded so far this year, while Carlton ranks No.3 for points scored. The Blues have been able to generate the fourth most inside 50 entries in 2024, but the Dockers rank No.4 for rebound 50s.
It’s clear that the battle of which team can get the game on their terms will be crucial in this Gather Round clash, but one thing that can be for sure is there’ll be plenty of heat on the ball — the two sides rank in the top three for tackles.
The game will start with two players who will have big says in the way the game pans out, with Tom De Koning to meet Luke Jackson at the opening centre bounce when it all kicks off.
Jackson has enjoyed an exceptional start to the season for Fremantle, essentially acting as an extra midfielder by averaging over 21 disposals in 2024. But where De Koning has been so strong has been in the contest, averaging just under five tackles a game while always posing a threat when pushing forward.
The midfield battle will also see former Freo player Adam Cerra - as well as wingman Blake Acres - go head-to-head with ex-teammates Caleb Serong and Andy Brayshaw.
Given the undeniable talent in the Dockers’ midfield, the Blues will likely call on the exploits of George Hewett, who has had a sensational start to 2024 not only with what he can do finding the ball, but shutting an opponent out of the game.
Getting the job on the likes of Lachie Neale and Luke Davies-Uniacke already this year, Hewett has averaged over 24 disposals himself this year and has got back to his clearance-winning best.
Priced at $721,000 in AFL Fantasy and owned by just 2.5 per cent of sides, Hewett - who has cracked the ton twice from three games - looms as a genuine point of difference for sides.
