Carlton v Kangaroos at Carrara (N), Saturday, 7.10pm (AEST)
This week’s team:
B: Ryan Houlihan, Lance Whitnall, Jason Saddington
HB: Andrew Walker, Jarrad Waite, Bret Thornton
C: Kade Simpson, Marc Murphy, Matthew Lappin,
HF: Bryce Gibbs, Setanta O’hAilpin, Anthony Koutoufides
F: Brad Fisher, Brendan Fevola, Eddie Betts
R: Cain Ackland, Andrew Carrazzo, Heath Scotland
I: Adam Bentick, Luke Blackwell, Jordan Russell, Ross Young
Emerg: Joe Anderson, Jordan Bannister, Adam Hartlett
In: Blackwell, Thornton
Out: Paul Bower, Josh Kennedy (omitted)
When last we met: Carlton v Kangaroos at the Telstra Dome, round 12, 2006: Kangaroos 18.13 (121) to Carlton 15.12 (102).
Comments: The Blues trailed at half time by two goals before a blistering eight-goal third quarter put them two goals in front heading into the final term. However, the Blues kicked just one goal to the Kangaroos’ six, and lost the game by 19 points.
Brendan Fevola (11 possessions, five goals) and Marc Murphy (25 disposals) were best on ground for Carlton while Shannon Grant (14 possessions, five goals), Nathan Thompson (11 marks, 4 goals) and Brent Harvey (22 disposals) were best a field for the Kangaroos.
Carlton win percentage: against Kangaroos 65.49 per cent; at Carrara, 50 per cent.
Comments: Carlton has lost its last three encounters against the Roos. However, the sides have never played each other at Carrara.
Average disposals: Carlton: Heath Scotland (27), Ryan Houlihan (23), Andrew Carrazzo (21). Kangaroos: Adam Simpson (26), Daniel Harris (22), Brent Harvey (22).
Goals: Carlton: Brendan Fevola (21), Eddie Betts (9), Brad Fisher (7). Kangaroos: Brent Harvey (14), Corey Jones (13), Shannon Grant (11).
Tackles: Carlton: Adam Bentick (35). Kangaroos: Daniel Harris (33).
From the coaches: “It is going to be a great game right across the board; the forward line, midfield and backlines. Both teams are roughly the same in contested footy, tackles and clearances so I think it is going to come to which team wants it more and is going to run the hardest.” – Carlton assistant coach Brett Ratten.
Last five games: Carlton: Win (Ess), Loss (WC), Loss (Bris), Loss (StK), Loss (Coll). Kangaroos: Loss (Haw), Win (Bris), Win (Geel), Win (Syd), Win (Ess).
Comments: After a courageous loss to West Coast at Subiaco in round four and a narrow defeat against Brisbane a week later at Telstra Dome, Carlton has stumbled in its last two games against St Kilda and Collingwood. While the Blues can cover this week’s opponent in terms of skill, it is their intensity and defensive pressure that Denis Pagan will have his players most focused upon. All the signs are there for a Blues victory this weekend – Andrew Carrazzo had a sensational game against the Pies last week and together with Marc Murphy and Heath Scotland will provide plenty of headaches for the Kangaroos midfielders. Carlton’s height up forward and down back could also be a match-winning X-factor.
The Kangaroos are on a four-game winning streak and have proven themselves to be one of the best teams in the competition when it comes to defensive pressure and hardness at the ball. Despite the loss of spearhead Nathan Thompson (knee) in the pre-season, Dean Laidley has managed to build a successful and productive forward line. Matt Campbell and Aaron Edwards are proving to be valuable inclusions and are improving with each senior game. The side’s fortunes have also been helped by the solid form of captain Adam Simpson and fellow experienced teammates Shannon Grant and Brent Harvey, who will all need to be nullified for the Blues to have any chance of victory.
The big question: Can Carlton match the intensity and defensive pressure of the Kangaroos?
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
