AFL Media's Michael Whiting previews Saturday night's match against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium:
SUMMARY
One week ago there was almost a morbid fascination about this match, but following Gold Coast's historic upset of Sydney last week, the stakes have been lowered ever so slightly. The Suns are now three games ahead of Carlton on the ladder and even if the Blues win, the chances of them avoiding the wooden spoon seem slim. Brendon Bolton's men have had a horror year, dealing with a dreadful injury toll and a losing streak that has hit new lows in recent weeks with defeats against bottom-four teams Brisbane and St Kilda. But they would still fancy themselves in this match, despite the Suns' breakthrough win last week. Stuart Dew's men had shown patches of form leading up to the victory over Sydney, but took their pressure to a whole new level. With a couple of seasoned players expected to return, the Suns will go in strong favourites to make it back-to-back wins and jump further up the ladder.
WHERE AND WHEN: Metricon Stadium, Saturday, July 28, 7.25pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
R2, 2018, Gold Coast 15.11 (101) d Carlton 9.13 (67) at Etihad Stadium
R13, 2017, Carlton 12.11 (83) d Gold Coast 11.7 (73) at Metricon Stadium
R4, 2017, Gold Coast 17.6 (108) d Carlton 12.10 (82) at Etihad Stadium
R3, 2016, Gold Coast 13.17 (95) d Carlton 5.11 (41) at Metricon Stadium
R13, 2015, Carlton 14.19 (103) d Gold Coast 9.15 (69) at Etihad Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Tom Lynch starred in round two booting a club-record eight goals, which included six by half-time. Jarryd Lyons was the midfield architect with 36 disposals and one goal.
2. This will be a contest between the two lowest-scoring sides. Gold Coast and Carlton are also 17th and 18th for inside 50 entries and the bottom two for marks inside 50.
3. This will be the 10th clash between the clubs, with Carlton holding a narrow five wins to four advantage. The Suns have won three of the past four.
4. In their clash with the Swans last weekend the Suns won just their second final quarter this season - and first since round one. Carlton has been poor across all four quarters all season – minus 100 points-plus in each of the four terms.
5. Gold Coast has won consecutive games just once this season, in rounds one and two against North Melbourne and the Blues. Carlton has won just once all year and failed to score 100 points in its past 50 matches.
6. Jarrod Witts is having another terrific season for the Suns, with his 14 disposals, 56 hit-outs and nine tackles against Sydney last week bumping him up to a career-high 68th overall in the AFL player ratings.
IT’S A BIG WEEK FOR …
This inaugural Gold Coast player is perhaps one of its most under-rated and will reach another milestone on Saturday. Reliable defender Jarrod Harbrow will become the first player to notch 150 games in Suns colours and is once again enjoying a fine season.
