CARLTON will take on Port Adelaide in enemy territory this Saturday for its Round 2 clash at Adelaide Oval.

The Blues will go into Saturday’s match with something to prove, after falling 33 points short to Richmond in the season opener.

Carlton will be hoping to disappoint Port Adelaide fans who will no doubt turn out in droves for the first home game of the season.

Details: Adelaide Oval, Saturday, March 30, 5:10pm (AEDT)

Broadcast: Click here for broadcast guide and her for all game day info.

THE GAME IN FOCUS:

Carlton showed promise in its season opener against the Tigers, but will need a four-quarter effort to beat the Power on their home deck.

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Sam Walsh and Nic Newman gave a fans a glimpse into what the Blues’ new recruits are capable of, providing some spark in an emphatic second-quarter fightback against Richmond.

Port Adelaide will have the home crowd in their favour, so the Blues will need to a strong start if they are to silence them.

The Power will be a formidable opponent, with their 26-point victory over Melbourne still front of mind. Tom Rockliff starred with 44 disposals, while he was well-supported by Justin Westhoff (five goals) and Travis Boak (34 disposals, one goal).

THE LAST TIME THEY MET:

The Blues fought hard for milestone man Kade Simpson in his 300th game in Round 15 last year. 

Simpson was inspiring across half-back, notching up a game-high 37 disposals to keep the Blues in contention until early in the fourth. He became just the third player to poll three Brownlow votes in his 300th game.

Gun forward Charlie Curnow impressed in the air with nine marks and finished the day with four majors as one of Carlton’s best.

Despite a strong start and a third-quarter resurgence, Port Adelaide ran out the Blues to finish with a 21-point victory. 

BLUE FOCUS:

Marquee recruit Mitch McGovern will run out in the navy blue for his 50th game when the Blues face Port Adelaide.

It will be familiar territory for the high-flying forward: it will be McGovern’s first match at Adelaide Oval since making the move from the Crows in the off-season.

The new recruits made a strong start for the Blues and is one of six debutants who keep their spot from last week.

GET EXCITED ABOUT:

Fans will be pleased to see the return on Nic Newman and Will Setterfield in the team selection for Round 2.

The pair made an immediate impact on debut for the Blues, with Newman racking up 26 disposals across half-back and Setterfield notching 24 through the midfield to be in Carlton’s best for Round 1.

BLUE VIEW:

Carlton captured the imagination of Bluebaggers for two quarters in the season opener, but now it’s time to make that a four-quarter reality.

With the Power midfield proving a headache for Melbourne in Round 1, it will be a game won and lost in the centre.

But with Patrick Cripps at the helm and emerging stars already making an impact, it is certain to be a hard-fought contest.