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This match is the Carlton Blues chance to finally shine at the MCG, after being demolished by North Melbourne to the tune of 86 points.
While they showed their best brand of footy against the Tigers in Round 1, it seems that they have faded due to inefficiency inside forward 50, turnovers and crucial skill errors.
Their injury woes cause headaches as there is no Marc Murphy, Matthew Kreuzer or Jacob Weitering with David Cunningham and Nick Graham being omitted.
This does provide room for Harry McKay, veteran Sam Rowe, Andrew Phillips, Sam Kerridge and Jeb Lamb all playing on the back of their impressive performance in the VFL.
The Eagles have been astonishing in their past two games at home and this will be there first time they play at the ‘G this season.
It seems they have caught some form of MCG flu in recent times when playing at the ground. Big forward Josh Kennedy proved the difference when the clubs last met and he’ll be eyeing a big haul depending on the supply from midfielders Elliot Yeo, Chris Masten, Andrew Gaff and Lue Shuey.
So sit back, get nice and cosy with a cup of tea or coffee depending on which you like and watch some epic footy.
Three keys to the game
1. When these clubs last clashed, scores were even at three-quarter time before the Eagles stormed home five goals to three in the final term with Kennedy bagging six that day. Keep in mind that was Subiaco but this match is in the Blues backyard.
2. West Coast have the highest average score this season with 110 points a game while Carlton are third-last averaging 67 points. This has happened due to the Eagles’ ability to kick the ball more often than any other team this season with 238.5 a game. Carlton are ranked 14th with 209.5 kicks a game.
3. The Eagles have dominated the Blues in recent times winning the past three games and six of the last eight games.
Fun footy fcts
West coast has lost the last three games at the ground and five of the last six.
AFL Fantasy wise: Carlton’s Ed Curnow (MID) is the highest player coming into this game averaging 117 from the past four games for 466 points.
It’s crunchtime for…
Blues coach Brendon Bolton. After copping a week of heavy criticism and soul searching, he has remained resilient, upbeat and confident that his Blue boys can bounce back. Even do his fielding a younger and inexperienced midfield, a wise person once said: “What I lack in size, I make up for in strength!”
Prediction
Carlton by seven points.
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