For the second Friday night in a row, there’s a game with huge September implications as Carlton host Geelong. We’ll have live AFL scores and updates from 7.50pm AEST.
Both teams aren’t quite where they’d like to be and finding form has proved tough. At seventh and eighth on the ladder respectively, this is understandably a big game.
The Blues last week were embarrassed by Port Adelaide, who ran home 54-point winners.
Losses to St Kilda and Adelaide in the past month have also heaped pressure on the club and in particular its coach, Brett Ratten.
They are currently without Marc Murphy and Andrew Carrazzo, who are key players, and Matthew Kreuzer returns to the team this week, but all is not right at Visy Park.
The Cats have also been down in patches this season, however with fixtures against the Western Bulldogs and GWS the past two weeks, concerns over them have eased.
Still, they need to show that they still have what it takes. A loss tonight, just as it would for the Blues, should instigate huge questions about their ability to play finals football in 2012.
Some big names return for them this week, and the more youthful make-up of their side to date is one reason they haven’t been at their best, but tonight is a chance to make a statement.
While there were few shining lights for the Blues last week, David Ellard did impress with 27 touches.
For the Cats, an experimental forward role for Harry Taylor returned six goals. He’ll probably head back to defence this week.
Along with Kreuzer, Lachie Henderson and Nick Duigan return for Carlton. Heath Scotland is the big out with a calf injury.
Joel Corey, Corey Enright, David Wojcinski, Tom Hawkins and Steven Motlop are all ins for Geelong. Five of the kids move aside.
So who wins?
You could mount an argument for Carlton needing it more. Their recent form has been less positive.
Another thing to remember is that in the corresponding fixture last year at Etihad, the Blues very nearly pinched it.
Still, the Cats’ list of ins looks promising and should not be underestimated. The pace of Wojcinski and Motlop, and the experience of Corey and Enright, should help immensely given their opponent tonight.
How much either team wants it will be a huge factor, but I’ll lean towards Geelong with my tip.
Michael DiFabrizio
Expert
DISPOSALS: Carlton: Simpson 31, McLean 28, Walker 25, Judd 25, Armfield 22, Robinson 22 Geelong: Selwood 29, Duncan 24, Chapman 24, Stokes 23, Kelly 23 GOALS: Carlton: Betts 4, Gibbs, Judd, Simpson, Kreuzer, Tuohy, Collins, Armfield Geelong: Motlop 4, Duncan 2, Selwood 2, Bartel, Hawkins, T. Hunt, Chapman, Stokes, West KEY STATS: Contested possessions: Carlton +8 Disposal efficiency: Geelong +1 Clearances: Carlton +3 Inside 50s: Carlton +3 Tackles: Carlton +1 DREAM TEAM: Selwood 122, Simpson 112, Duncan 110, Judd 95, Scarlett 93, Betts 90, Chapman 89, McLean 82, Ellard 82
Michael DiFabrizio
Expert
Geelong played their way into it. Led by Joel Selwood, who got better as the game went on and finished with 29 disposals and two goals. Steve Motlop was the surprise star due to his four goals. Top effort from him. Mitch Duncan spent an hour playing on Chris Judd and still ended up with 24 disposals and two goals. Judd seems out of sorts, maybe there’s an injury there, but it was another good performance from one of the Cats’ younger stars. Carlton, however, will be the story coming out of this one. Top four is now completely out of the question for them. Top eight is definitely no certainty. The Blues kicked five posters and would generally be ruing missed opportunities. They dominated the first quarter and should’ve been further in front and then a far more composed Geelong side greeted them after quarter time. In the final quarter, the Blues continually got it forward but never looked likely to reverse the margin. They kicked 2.9 to 4.3 in the last term. Judd was unusually quiet although he did end up with 25 touches by the end of it. Kade Simpson and Brock McLean led the way in the middle while Eddie Betts was certainly dangerous early with three first quarter goals and four for the match. But the pressure is now on them for sure.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
blues lose their 4th out of last 5 games stuck with the cats for a while, but the cats had another gear and how often were they allowed to run through the middle of the arc for running shots at goal? terrible conversion by blues that final quarter
Michael DiFabrizio
Expert
FULL TIME Carlton 11.19 85 Geelong 14.13 97 The Cats have won by 12 points in a quality contest between two sides that simply couldn’t afford to lose. Geelong continued to show signs of their ongoing problems: they again started slowly and again fell behind in the contested possession count. But the way they played from quarter time onwards would be seen as encouraging.
Michael DiFabrizio
Expert
Judd gets a cheeky late one. Guthrie was convinced he touched it but the six points were awarded. Carlton 84 Geelong 96 – 1min left 4th qtr
The Cattery
Roar Guru
1.8 this quarter - kicked it away - Geelong have gone straight down the central corridor - Judd with a left foot snap - gee that nearly looked touched!
Michael DiFabrizio
Expert
Stokes wins a free for high contact. Could've been advantage for a point, but Stokes was given a fresh chance to convert directly in front. Drills it and that's game over. Carlton 76 Geelong 95 – 4min left 4th qtr
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Carlton have the yips
Michael DiFabrizio
Expert
Chris Yarran, directly in front, sprays a set shot from 45m out. That'd have to be it. Needed that if a comeback was going to happen. Carlton 76 Geelong 89 – 5min left 4th qtr
Michael DiFabrizio
Expert
Josh Hunt, initially belief to be cramped up, is on the bench getting worked on. Two rotations for Geelong. Carlton 75 Geelong 89 – 6min left 4th qtr
Michael DiFabrizio
Expert
Garlett's ball marked by Simpson for a kick 40m out on an angle. Miss could just about be a fatal blow. Put just a little too much on it and it hits the right-hand goal post! Carlton 75 Geelong 89 – 8min left 4th qtr
Michael DiFabrizio
Expert
Harry Taylor is now in the ruck. They're playing him everywhere! Carlton 74 Geelong 89 – 9min left 4th qtr
Michael DiFabrizio
Expert
Mitch Duncan gets a very handy goal for Geelong! 15 points the margin now. Steve Johnson had a run through the middle and the Cats seemed to carry it forward too easily. Carlton 74 Geelong 89 – 9min left 4th qtr
Michael DiFabrizio
Expert
Ellard reads the throw-in well but his kick is a behind. Carlton 74 Geelong 83 – 10min left 4th qtr
Michael DiFabrizio
Expert
Ellard struggles with the distance of his set shot and it's punched away and ends up in a throw in. Carlton 73 Geelong 83 – 11min left 4th qtr
Michael DiFabrizio
Expert
Simpson sets up Hampson but he spills what would've been an uncontested mark. Oh dear! Carlton 73 Geelong 83 – 12min left 4th qtr
Michael DiFabrizio
Expert
Carlton are not done with yet! Kade Simpson gets one to ensure this one stays well and truly alive. Carlton 73 Geelong 83 – 12min left 4th qtr
Michael DiFabrizio
Expert
Blues were gearing themselves up for Euro 2012 with a couple of soccers. Deflected over for a behind. Carlton 67 Geelong 82 – 14min left 4th qtr
Michael DiFabrizio
Expert
Harry Taylor has snuck forward, a la last week against the Giants. Takes a good mark just outside 50m and opts to set up Trent West close to goal but on an angle. West delivers. The Harry Taylor Forward Experiment continues to generate results! Carlton 66 Geelong 82 – 16min left 4th qtr
Michael DiFabrizio
Expert
Yarran once again involved, good sub to have up your sleeve as speed seems to trouble the Cats. He sets up a set shot for Eddie Betts but his kick is also wide. Need to make the most of their chances, the Blues. Carlton 66 Geelong 76 – 17min left 4th qtr