CARLTON will take on traditional rivals Collingwood when they return to the MCG this Saturday in the Round 8 clash. 

Here is everything you need to know about the Blues’ upcoming opponent.

OVERVIEW:

Ladder position: Second

Won: 6

Lost: 1

Form: LWWWW

Average points for: 90.4

Average points against: 71.3 

AGE BREAKDOWN:

(Carlton in brackets)

Players aged 18-21: 2 (10)

Players aged 22-25: 9 (7)

Players aged 26-29: 7 (3)

Players aged 30+: 4 (2)

Carlton should be raring to take on the in-form Pies, with the opportunity presenting itself to get back on the winners’ list after last week’s loss to North Melbourne.

On the other side, the 2018 Grand Finalists will take warranted confidence into Saturday’s match having defeated its last four opponents.

Carlton remains one of the only teams to have notched more wins than losses against Collingwood, in the closest rivalry in the AFL. From 256 matches, only two wins separate the two sides, with the Blues recording 127 wins to 125. 

How Carlton sets up without the ball will be crucial, with the Pies holding the top spot for possession in the competition.

A close battle through the centre is sure to ensue with the return of big man Matthew Kreuzer, but the Blues will need to take advantage of strong clearance work to down the Pies.