Mick Malthouse has his first home game in charge of Carlton when the Blues take on Fremantle in week two of the 2013 NAB Cup. Join us for live scores and a blog from the first bounce at 7.40pm AEDT.
Carlton and Fremantle move into 2013 with premiership aspirations. The Blues are ready to make the leap into the top four under Malthouse, while Ross Lyon’s recruiting and coaching nous is expected to take the Dockers to another level this season.
While a NAB Cup match is usually an excuse for a pre-season hit-out, the competition often proves to be a valuable guide for early season form.
Most often teams that perform well in the NAB Cup continue their winning ways once the home and away fixtures begin.
Adelaide, the winners of the 2012 NAB Cup, proved this by making last September’s preliminary finals. Prior to the pre-season, the Crows were merely outsiders, so good form tonight could be an indication of things to come.
The Blues enter this clash off a six-day break. Last Sunday they beat both Sydney teams at Blacktown; the Giants by two points and Swans by 22.
But Malthouse was keen to play it down – he believes Carlton needs as many pre-season games as possible to adapt to his game plan before round one.
In that case, we can expect a strong team to be fielded by the Blues. At this stage, Jarrad Waite is their only notable player ruled out of this match.
Fremantle make their way to Melbourne after enjoying a week off. Two weekends back they beat Geelong by 18 points at Patersons Stadium before going down to the Eagles by four goals in a mini-Derby.
The Dockers will field a weakened team tonight. Matthew Pavlich wasn’t on the plane – he stayed in Perth to be with his pregnant wife who is due to give birth – while ruckman Aaron Sandilands (hamstring), speedster Steven Hill (arm) and on-baller Michael Barlow (rested) haven’t been selected.
I’m tipping the Blues to win tonight. Malthouse has admitted that pre-season games can’t be wasted and with Freo missing so many important players, Carlton should prove too strong.
Blues by 33.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Thanks for joining us.
Justin Cinque
Expert
FULL TIME Carlton 0.18.16.124 Fremantle 1.6.9.54 Carlton had this match sewn up after about 20 minutes. The Dockers were poor. Their midfield didn't have much of an impact. Their forward line - without Pavlich - didn't pack a lot punch. The Blues on the other hand were quite impressive. Their smalls - Betts and Garlett - were quite good. Murphy and Gibbs were at their usual high standards. Robinson had an impact. Casbout was impressive as well. A spot in their Round One 22 beckons for the young tall. Carlton get their first win at home under Malthouse. They're on track for the season proper. The Dockers, still have lots of work to do.
Justin Cinque
Expert
FULL TIME Carlton 0.18.16.124 Fremantle 1.6.9.54 Robinson ends the night with a buzzer-beating goal. Blues by 70 in the end. Soft win.
Justin Cinque
Expert
1 to go Q4 Carlton 0.17.16.118 Fremantle 1.6.9.54 Official crowd is just under 10000
Justin Cinque
Expert
1 to go Q4 Carlton 0.17.16.118 Fremantle 1.6.9.54 Long ball for Kreuzer is off hands for a point.
Justin Cinque
Expert
2 to go Q4 Carlton 0.17.15.117 Fremantle 1.6.9.54 Time winding down at Docklands. It's all academic now. Carlton a mile too good tonight.
Justin Cinque
Expert
3 to go Q4 Carlton 0.17.15.117 Fremantle 1.6.9.54 No injury for Carrazzo - he was subbed out for other reasons.
Justin Cinque
Expert
4 to go Q4 Carlton 0.17.15.117 Fremantle 1.6.9.54 Lucas goes inside 50. GIbbs roves this time. Snaps high, doesn't miss. Blues finishing their night well here.
Justin Cinque
Expert
5 to go Q4 Carlton 0.16.15.111 Fremantle 1.6.9.54 Tony Shaw: Carlton are a top four side Pretty categorical stuff. "It's gotta be that way"
Justin Cinque
Expert
5 to go Q4 Carlton 0.16.15.111 Fremantle 1.6.9.54 Armfield's dribble scores a point.
Justin Cinque
Expert
5 to go Q4 Carlton 0.16.14.110 Fremantle 1.6.9.54 The Blues experimenting with some torpies from the kick-in. Garlett has another chance to rove a goal. This time the shot is wayward.
Justin Cinque
Expert
5 to go Q4 Carlton 0.16.13.109 Fremantle 1.6.9.54 Another free to the Dockers. This time for deliberate out of bounds. Mzungu's kick doesn't do any damage. And Carrazzo has been subbed out for Bell right at the end of the evening.
Justin Cinque
Expert
7 to go Q4 Carlton 0.16.13.109 Fremantle 1.6.8.53 Free to Suban at 40m. He misses. 56 your margin.
Justin Cinque
Expert
9 to go Q4 Carlton 0.16.13.109 Fremantle 1.6.7.52 And Garlett kicks another goal. It's happened at least half a dozen times - a kick to a 50/50 contest. No mark, a small collects and kicks a Carlton goal. Garlett and Betts are in good nick. And Blues fans must be happy about that!
Justin Cinque
Expert
12 to go Q4 Carlton 0.15.13.103 Fremantle 1.6.7.52 Armfield at HB. Fiinds Walker. And there's a stoppage on the wing. Casboult has been good tonight. Barry Hall thinks he could be an answer for the Blues as a key forward. I agree, he's got plenty of scope. He can take a mark and create a contest. And that makes him dangerous.
Justin Cinque
Expert
13 to go Q4 Carlton 0.15.13.103 Fremantle 1.6.7.52 Robinson's kick is pin-point perfect to Tuohy at 40m. And he marks well. Robinson has had a good night. It has though been a night where there was no sting. Tuohy misses with the set shot.
Justin Cinque
Expert
16 to go Q4 Carlton 0.15.12.102 Fremantle 1.6.7.52 Griffin has taken a mark for the Dockers. And he's nailed the goal. Back to 50 points now.
Justin Cinque
Expert
19 to go Q4 Carlton 0.15.12.102 Fremantle 1.5.7.46 Carrazzo collects at ground level and the Blues are on the march again. This time it breaks down in attack. Blues by 56, in a pretty tame encounter at Etihad Stadium.
Justin Cinque
Expert
20 to go Q4 Carlton 0.15.12.102 Fremantle 1.5.7.46 Casboult did well at FF. He created the contest. Robinson crumbed, snapped and goalled. Well played Blues!
Justin Cinque
Expert
20 to go Q4 Carlton 0.14.12.96 Fremantle 1.5.7.46 Carlton about to hit the scoreboard first in the final quarter. White lining up from 40m. He's pulled it too far. And missed the lot.