A GIANT clash with bigger ramifications.

Carlton will host Greater Western Sydney at Marvel Stadium on Saturday afternoon, looking to return to the winner’s list while ending its opposition’s undefeated start to the season in the process.

Two preliminary finalists from last season, it’s an intriguing clash of styles in store for Round 6 action, with the Blues looking for a renewed defensive effort under Michael Voss this week against a free-wheeling, high-scoring GWS outfit.

These two teams shared the points last year at their respective away venues, with the Blues pipping the Giants in Round 3 of 2023 before GWS sealed a finals berth in Round 24 at the same venue as today’s clash.

All signs point to a high-scoring game on the fast deck under the roof. The two sides rank inside the top five teams for points scored this year, with nobody scoring more frequently than the Giants, who average 108 points per game — by contrast, the Blues average two goals less per week.

For the Blues to come away with a result, they’ll need to bring their A-game in the pressure stakes. No team has laid more tackles in 2024 than the Blues, averaging over 69 per game (over three more than the next best), while the clearances stats are essentially level amongst two star-studded on-ball brigades.

That midfield battle will be crucial in dictating which team gets the territory, with Jacob Weitering needing to call on his mates higher up the ground to give him any help in his one-on-one battle with Coleman Medal leader Jesse Hogan.

Weitering performed strongly on Hogan last year, keeping him to just three goals and nine marks across two games, but with the Blues a few soldiers down in the backline, the defenders will need to be on their game and win their battles against a potent attack.

If the five minutes went a slightly different way last week, Blake Acres could’ve very well been the late hero once again for Carlton in his 150th game with a crucial last-quarter goal.

While the Blues ultimately fell short, Acres was one of the Blues’ best on the wing with 25 disposals, and he’ll need to recreate his strong recent form at today’s venue. An AFL Fantasy point of difference, Acres - priced at $755,000 - has averaged over 94 points per game at Marvel Stadium as a Blue, amassing 21 disposals in just 55 per cent game time against the Giants last year before a collarbone injury ended his day prematurely.