CARLTON will head back to familiar territory when it takes on St Kilda this Sunday at Marvel Stadium. 

It will be another opportunity for the Blues to redeem themselves after an inconsistent few weeks punctuated by last week’s loss to GWS. 

Capable of matching it with the best, Carlton will look to the weekend’s clash with the Saints as an opportunity to return to form.

With St Kilda desperate to hang onto their own season, both sides will be eager to use Sunday’s clash to get back on the winner’s list.

Details: Marvel Stadium, Sunday 26 May, 3:20pm (AEST)
Broadcast: Click here for broadcast guide and here for all game day info.

THE GAME IN FOCUS:

Carlton will need to be switched on from the first bounce and prepared to fight for the whole four quarters when they run out against the Saints.

After an inconsistent start the season, the Blues will be looking to get themselves back into a winning position.

The Saints head into Round 10 in much the same position, looking to get their season back on track after a string of four losses.

With their defeat to the Pies in Round 9 fresh in their memories, the Saints will be firing on all cylinders when they face Carlton on Sunday.

THE LAST TIME THEY MET:

The Blues fell 64 points short to the Saints at Marvel Stadium last time these two sides met in Round 17 of 2018.

It was a close slog in the first half, with both sides trading goals to see the margin sit at eight points to the Saints at quarter time.

The Blues fought on against St Kilda, trailing by 23 points at the main break before the Saints sailed ahead in the second half.

Pulling out an eight-goal performance to the Blues’ two in the final two quarters, the Saints stormed ahead to finish the day 64-point victors.

Despite the loss, the usual performers stood up for Carlton with Patrick Cripps and Charlie Curnow finishing with standout performances.

BLUE FOCUS:

For the first time in 2019, hard-hitting midfielder Matt Kennedy will get his opportunity at senior level.

The ex-Giant has bobbed up for the Northern Blues in his three VFL matches so far, putting his name forward for selection on the back of some impressive numbers.

An unlucky run with injury restricted Kennedy in his first season in Navy Blue, but he showed what he was capable of in a six-week stretch throughout the middle portion of 2018.

Carlton fans will be eager to see what this inside midfielder can produce in the centre in support of his captain.

GET EXCITED ABOUT:

Carlton will get a much-appreciated backline boost with the return of some key personnel in the form of Kade Simpson and Lachie Plowman.

Over the last month, the Blues have lost a core group of defenders, with Liam Jones still sidelined with concussion symptoms.

While a team defence has carried them through with some young ins, they will no doubt benefit from the additional wise heads down back.

BLUE VIEW:

Sunday represents a make-or-break match for each side, after a barren month for both the Blues and Saints.

After Carlton’s Round 7 loss to North Melbourne, it came out firing the following week with the frustration of the previous defeat.

Carlton will need to channel that frustration once again if they are going to take down a determined Saints outfit.