Carlton face Port Adelaide at 12:35pm (AEST) on Sunday at the Gabba in Round 7 of the AFL season, and while both sides are coming off wins, their previous matches were vastly different experiences.
Port Adelaide were made to grind for three quarters against a very good GWS outfit before powering away in the last term to eventually get the win by 17 points, while Carlton had the Western Bulldogs’ number at every turn before slamming on six goals to three behinds in the last quarter to run out winners by 52 points.
Port will be forced into two changes for Sunday’s game, with Cam Sutcliff (hamstring) and Brad Ebert (suspension) both out, but Ken Hinkley does have the majority of his squad at his disposal, so any player that comes in will be a very handy addition.
Carlton captain Patrick Cripps’s shoulder pulled up well after being injured against the Dogs, but by all reports he trained strongly all week and is likely to play Sunday. Marc Murphy injured his hip in the same game and is touch and go to take his place in the side on Sunday.
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Port will be looking to tidy up some areas of their game this week, most notably their skill execution going inside 50, which left a lot to be desired against the Giants. Their skills in general were average in parts, to say the least, due to the extreme pressure that was applied by GWS, but they did get it right in the last quarter to see out the win.
Charlie Dixon will be looking to add to his tally this week after coming up against two of the best defenders in the game two weeks in a row – Harris Andrews and Phil Davis respectively – and although he did kick a major last week, it was another subdued performance. Big Charlie will be looking to get a hold of Liam Jones on Sunday.
Robbie Gray and Conor Rozee will both be looking to return to form on Sunday as they have barely fired a shot so far this season. With Port sitting at 5-1 and with those two stars having little of the impact on games they usually do, a scary thought for opposition coaches is that they might happen to get it right on the same day.
This is a match that Port simply must win if they are to be taken seriously this year. While last week was not impressive, they still got the four points – and they were hard-won points at that. They were challenged, and they responded as good sides do. However, all their hard work would come undone if they were to succumb to Carlton.
Last season Port were the Jekyll and Hyde of the competition., following good wins with bad losses. That cannot happen on Sunday.
Port Adelaide should have too much for the Blues at the Gabba, but Carlton will be no pushovers, so this is a tricky game for Ken Hinkley’s men and should not be taken lightly. With the opportunity to continue at the top of the AFL ladder for a few more weeks, this is a great opportunity to consolidate that top spot.
Port will get the job done and move to 6-1 on the year.
Power by 24 points.
peter chrisp
Guest
Should be a great game with Port Adelaide on fire at the moment & the Blues aren't playing too bad. As Port have done quite well against the Blues, can Carlton bring their "A" grade game? After defeating the Cats by a narrow margin, can they bring the same grunt? Looking forward to it.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Stiffen up there spine.
Cracka
Roar Rookie
It’s a very good question, that requires a very good answer. I was a little shocked when I found out.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
What's the reasoning behind this, we don't have to quarantine so why not go a day earlier?
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Mmmmm banana.
Kane
Roar Rookie
Port are actually out of bed at 4.30 for a for a 6am flight I read somewhere yesterday, would have to be hard on the body all that sitting down you would think. I hope not for Ports sake but wouldn't be surprised if there's a few hammy's go at some stage.
Kane
Roar Rookie
If you don't barrack for Collingwood then dare talk about Collingwood on a Collingwood post though, it's not your right and you wouldn't be as informed as Pete or George.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
She'll come up apples with a cherry like that.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
"genuinely in the mix of 6- 12th."----- That's a great backhander. Like every team hopes to be genuinely in the mix at that level.
2dogs
Roar Rookie
I hope pears kicks a banana
2dogs
Roar Rookie
Port and Blues article and you find a way to bag out the Tigers lol ????
Cracka
Roar Rookie
What worries me is that the Port players are flying up to QLD on the day they are playing so, awake by 6 or 7am, 2 hour flight, hour bus trip and then play at 1pm. Will all that travel have a negative effect on the players? Based on the travel effect I’m predicting an upset by 27points Blues win.
Neil from Warrandyte
Roar Rookie
I agree. Pears need everyone’s support! :silly:
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
I'm nervous. The blues did Port a favour by belting the bulldogs last week, reminding us this is no easy game, complacency is Ports worst enemy. Then the Bullies flog a top 4 side in Essendon, so by that logic the blues are almost a top 4 side. Gonna be a good game I think. C'mon the Pear!
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Blues genuinely in the mix of 6- 12th. A division is opening up with genuine flag chances Collingwood, Port Adelaide, Geelong, Brisbane now out on their own. Richmond just beat up a broken side and are still in the pot of 5-12 but are a shadow of their former selves. Eagles and Giants have the potential to push in. A big win by Port should remind the Blues they have a way to go yet. Will Teague hold his nerve?
2dogs
Roar Rookie
Good post Macca. Fingers crossed
Macca
Roar Rookie
Really interesting game today (at 1.05pm AEST), Port have a history of putting the blues to the sword and have been in really good form. Both teams play an attractive attacking style and are good around the stoppages but both have question marks around their bona fides (Carlton more than Port). For the Blues this is a really good opportunity to gain some credibility, a good performance today against yet another top side (the blues will have had 6 of 7 games against top 9 sides) will show they are legitimate finals contenders, a bad performance will show nothing much has changed, they are capable of an upset here and there but simply not consistent enough. Hopefully we see the unsung players like Kennedy, Cuningham and Setterfield continue to emerge and after a couple of quieter weeks it would be great to see Cripps have a massive game. If the Blues can win around the clearances and use the ball well they have the forward line to worry anyone, but they are big ifs.
Gyfox
Roar Rookie
Yes, a "must win" for Port Adelaide. Carlton, too, I guess.