It’s become one of the most daunting trips in the AFL, but Carlton are determined not to become easy road kill when they trek west to take on Fremantle at Patersons Stadium on Thursday night.
The Dockers have won 19 or their past 20 games in Perth, and are expected to come out firing against the Blues after spending the previous fortnight stewing over their shock 58-point loss to lowly St Kilda.
That result dropped Fremantle to fourth on the table, but the return of star quartet Aaron Sandilands, Stephen Hill, Hayden Ballantyne and Garrick Ibbotson has boosted their chances of grinding their way back into the top two by season’s end.
Carlton coach Mick Malthouse urged his team to spoil the party, saying Fremantle’s desperation to make amends for their flop against St Kilda didn’t guarantee anything.
“I don’t think you have an automatic right to think that (just because) you had a bad game, you will come out and murder the side the following week,” Malthouse said in Perth on Wednesday.
“I think you’ve still got to do the hard work. We’re over here to spoil the party.
“We haven’t come here just to lay down because Fremantle got beaten by St Kilda last week.
“We’ve got a very competitive side.”
Carlton were boosted by the return of Brock McLean and Andrew Carrazzo from injury, while Blaine Johnson was also recalled.
Andrejs Everitt (knee), Troy Menzel (knee) and Mitch Robinson (suspended) were the three to make way.
High-profile Fremantle recruit Colin Sylvia and comeback kid Anthony Morabito were dropped following quiet displays against St Kilda, while Matt Taberner and Jon Griffin were also axed.
Sylvia managed to string six games together after earning his Dockers debut in round 13.
But his inability to fire means he could struggle to break back into the side in time for the finals.
Although Carlton (6-11) are out of finals contention, Malthouse’s side are riding a wave of confidence following their 23-point win over North Melbourne last round.
Forward Jarrad Waite booted four goals from 19 possessions in that match, and Malthouse was hopeful the 31-year-old would be able to produce more match-winning displays in the twilight of his career.
“He’s a great Carlton person. When he’s on song, you can see how he plays,” Malthouse said.
“But I feel that Jarrad, over the last seven or eight years, has been a victim of injuries.
“He’s never been able to (complete) a full pre-season in any of those years.
“So we’re hopeful with the more games he plays, the better he’s going to be acquainted to playing consistent football.”
Macca
Guest
OK Don whatever you say.
Don Freo
Guest
That gets adjusted next week when Geelong's percentage goes down and Freo's goes up...same again when we play the Hawks and Port. Port could be out of the 8 by then.
Cat
Roar Guru
What is interesting is Freo's percentage is now below that of Port who they will be equal on points with if Port should win, which admittedly is no guarantee considering their recent form woes as well.
Don Freo
Guest
BEfore the game...you have to be in the now. That's history! You happy that 21 ineffective touches from a captain is a smashing? Crowley took 3 and 4 of your players out of the play because they tried to help the cry baby captain. That freed up other Freo players to win the game. Good tactic! As for that in the back free goal to Murph...He barely touched his side. Waite Kicked one on McPharlin in a contest. One was from a mark that only travelled 8 metres and One was from a 50m penalty that was incorrect when Dawson stood the mark and the ump decided it was Dawson so he is expected to penalize him. He didn't go over the mark. Apart from that, Waite's ball was gathered innocuously around the centre. Curnow lost the game with that silly 50 metre penalty. to Hill. In the last quarter, when it counted, Curnow dropped off the pace and Fyfe, Ballas and Hill, feeding the ball ran over the top. Curnow was on top when his team was...a bit of a down hill skier, isn't he? Victory to Crowley, Waite and McPharlin squared...(good for McPharlin to get another run under his belt, too), Curnow...ran out of puff and Hill ran on after a 5 week break. Hill wins because of when he got on top. I don't think Curnow will make it as a tagger. It has to be for 4 quarters. Did Casboult play...or did Michael Johnson lock him up in the plane?
Macca
Guest
Whats my scenario - Curnow smashes Hill, Murphy gets the better of Crowley, Waite gets the better of McPharlin.
Don Freo
Guest
It is one of their many social awareness programmes. It was promoted as White Week and all were encouraged to turn up in white Freo gear. It's WA homeless awareness week next week. There might be a connection there but it could be another cause. I've just got home at 10pm and am about to watch the replay. I heard the first quarter on the radio (Karl Langdon is a great caller) and Freo got their 3 goals ahead as I predicted. When I got back to the radio, Carlton had kicked 6 goals straight and we'd kicked 1.6! Then I heard Mzungu was off for the game and Pav got knocked out in the first quarter. I was on track until then. Ah well, Macca will talk about 72pt, but I'm sure I said 7.2pts. He'll be happy with the loss though. Of course, for me, that's history, we bank the 4 points and it affects nothing any more.
Axle an the guru
Guest
You were very lucky Don,Carlton let themselves down by missing some easy goals. I think Freo are a bit rocky ATM. BTW Don,why were Freo in there away gurnsey ?
Don Freo
Guest
Disagreeing with me could be dangerous. I got 1/9 right last round! You know, if Freo is behind by 23 points with 2 mins to go, I'll still be genuinely expecting them to kick back. I'm still checking afl.com to see if Freo has kicked back against the Saints.
Axle an the guru
Guest
Im gunna be brave and tip Carlton by 23 pts Don.
Slane
Guest
Gotta agree with the Don. I like Darcy. I also liked how awkward he was when Eddie called Goodes an ape.
Don Freo
Guest
There you go..I think Darcy is outstanding. Balanced, intelligent, interesting and fresh thinking. He actually discusses games. Brereton and Shaw could be watching a tape from 1975 and be commentating on that. You couldn't tell. I actually think they just put on a recording from a past game, leave it on and adjourn to the bar.
Axle an the guru
Guest
I thought that award has been Luke Darcys for a few years now.
Axle an the guru
Guest
:-) :-) :-) Don you do understand that Carlton are out there to and they will have some say in this game.
Don Freo
Guest
The whole town is blooming Purple Haze for tonight. I've even adjusted the colour balance for a little purple tinge on the TV.
Axle an the guru
Guest
Your not smoking that purple haze stuff again are you Don.
Jason H
Roar Rookie
You're being quite generous there Don, Shaw is quite possibly the worst clown to ever be handed a microphone, my ears hurt when he speaks. Freo will romp it in tonight. :)
Don Freo
Guest
Can you explain my physical state at the end of a game then, Darren?
Don Freo
Guest
C'mon Axle. Who doesn't adore Freo?
Darren
Guest
Don you know you're not actually playing?
Don Freo
Guest
I hope you don't sledge during the match. I've gotta work so I had to update my digital recorder in order to get 7Mate. I'll be watching it a midnight. 7Mate...probably means we get Brereton and Shaw commentating. They are so bad.