Collingwood are looking for their eleventh win in a row to put a stranglehold on the competition, while Carlton desperately needs to win to keep their September dreams alive, and possibly save coach Brett Ratten. We’ll have live AFL scores and commentary from 7:50pm AEST.
Not many people will be expecting the Blues to take the Pies scalp tonight, but it simply must be done to maintain their hopes of finals in 2012.
It was only twelve weeks ago when the Blues put on a clinic on Friday night footy against the Pies to beat them by ten goals and rocket them into flag favouritism.
It’s hard to believe the fall from grace the Blues have suffered. Only six different players will run out tonight compared the team of round three, but in those six it includes Marc Murphy and Jarrad Waite who are crucial to Carlton’s structure.
Carlton will also blood a debutante; young Andrew McInnes, a 191cm medium defender from Dandenong Stingrays.
The blowtorch has been put on the coach, Brett Ratten, whether fairly or unfairly, but it’s time to see how much ticker these Blue boys actually have.
Collingwood on the other hand are flying. While they’ve had their fair share of injuries, it hasn’t seemed to bother them. They’ve brought in young players in the process and they’ve shown they’re up to the level.
Dane Swan is arguably in the best form of his career, and there really is nobody in the Carlton line up that you can see stopping him.
It proves to be a massive test for the Blues, the final stage of their horror month playing the competition’s top teams, so it will be exciting to see how they respond.
Can they pull off the impossible or will the Pies keep marching on towards September glory?
KristianPisano
Roar Rookie
Siren. Blues in the eight. There you go. Amazing game is footy.
KristianPisano
Roar Rookie
2:05 left. Well and truly junk time.
KristianPisano
Roar Rookie
Blues are home! Walker goals.
KristianPisano
Roar Rookie
wow, the Blues look home..
KristianPisano
Roar Rookie
Well, well, well..... Carlton still up. It's still a really scrappy game and that's the way the Blues will like it to remain. Massive last quarter coming up.
KristianPisano
Roar Rookie
Carlton could've put them away by now.
KristianPisano
Roar Rookie
Wellingham will be in a lot of trouble at the match review panel this week. High late hit on Kade Simpson is left in a bad way.
KristianPisano
Roar Rookie
Pies are gaining ascendency now...
KristianPisano
Roar Rookie
Carlton have butchered 3 EASY shots in the last two minutes.
independent
Guest
I dont know what anybody else thinks but if McAvaney played his call back he should do one of two things. Get sponsorship from Collingwood or give up, doesnt he realise there are two teams out there.
KristianPisano
Roar Rookie
That's half time. Blues another good quarter. They've made this game a scrap, and it's working. They've caught the Pies off the boil. Carlton lead the tackles 38-29. Pies are using it better and have had more inside 50's, but they're not taking their chances. Blues, on the other hand are. An interesting second half coming up. Not sure the Blues can sustain this pressure throughout.
KristianPisano
Roar Rookie
Pies got a couple of goals and looked to have gained the momentum back, but a bit of Judd class sets up a Betts goal.
KristianPisano
Roar Rookie
Carlton making the most of their oppurtunities. Collingwood flat. Blues pressure great still.
Nathan
Guest
BOMBERS FAN ...GO PIES
KristianPisano
Roar Rookie
This is a very weird game.
KristianPisano
Roar Rookie
Quarter time. Blues would be rapt. They've brought their tackling game. They lead that stat 19 to 9. The way they're kicking inside 50 is a worry though as they have no talls. Blues are getting more of the ball, but they're chopping it. You can't question their effort though.
KristianPisano
Roar Rookie
Blues have displayed some grunt early. Tackle count is 15-8 in favour of Carlton.
KristianPisano
Roar Rookie
Carlton have already used their sub. Hampson is off with a knee problem. Brock McLean on.
KristianPisano
Roar Rookie
Nick Duigan's gone forward tonight in a surprising move. He kicks his first goal.
KristianPisano
Roar Rookie
Fairly scrappy start. Both teams turning it over.