Carlton will take on Hawthorn on Saturday at the MCG, in what looms as a must win for David Teague’s men.
After a competitive performance against the Dogs, the Blues were outclassed in the end, before going down comprehensively to the undefeated Melbourne side.
Right now this puts the Blues in a position of sitting 13th at 3-6 and quite possibly out of contention for finals. This is well below what Carlton were expecting this year and if Carlton fail again to Hawthorn, who suffered a defeat to the winless Kangaroos last week, Teague could be in dire trouble.
(Photo by Jono Searle/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
Hawthorn enter this clash with a 2-7 record, including after last week’s embarrassing loss to North, where they gave up a lead of beyond 30 points. Carlton enter as the clear favourite to get back to winning form.
Carlton will welcome back Jack Silvagni to the side along with Tom De Koning, who has been in good form in the VFL.
They will provide further attacking options alongside Coleman Medal leader Harry McKay. Out of the side come the injured David Cunningham with an ACL. De Koning comes in for Levi Casboult and Luke Parks has also been omitted.
An important focus for Carlton will be how they deliver the ball into their forward 50. They fell short last week despite it often being a strength of the side so far in 2021.
The players that can really make a difference for the Blues include the following strong performers last week.
Harry McKay kept up his work last week with three goals. Patrick Cripps had 27 disposals, 18 handballs and nine kicks. Sam Docherty had 27 disposals, 12 kicks and 15 handballs. Sam Walsh had 30 disposals, 14 kicks and 12 handballs.
For Hawthorn, here are some players who did well against North, and who can make a difference for them.
James Cousins had 23 disposals, eight kicks, 15 handballs and two goals. Jacob Koschitzke had 15 disposals, seven kicks, eight handballs and two goals. Blake Hardwick had 28 disposals, 21 kicks, seven handballs and seven marks. Liam Sheils had 24 disposals, 17 kicks and seven handballs.
The last two times these teams have met, Carlton have blown leads of over 30 points. In 2019, they led by 36 points in the second quarter in Round 6 in Tassie, before getting overrun to go down by five points. Last year they led by 31 points after kicking the first five goals, before going on to lose by that exact margin somehow.
Carlton will be hurting from these last two results. But by welcoming some quality players back in Silvagni and De Koning, hopefully along with McKay up forward, the Blues can kick a winning score and get a much needed victory.
If not, the writing could be on the wall for Teague.
Prediction: Carlton by 25 points.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
A step forward for Carlton getting by Hawks. They really have been their bogey team..... Next step is can Carlton beat someone above them. Swans this weekend a good opportunity. Can't keep being the nearly team.
Diesel-747
Roar Rookie
Carlton have not beaten the hawthorn at the MCG in 21 yrs. Last yr Carlton really should have beaten the hawks, yet the dreaded swing paid a visit & was by far Carltons worst loss in 2020. If hawthorn are in the hunt @ 3/4 time, watch the blues get nervous and cough up another “ should win “game. I’m very nervous
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Lmfao. I still don't like it when I think about where clarko and hardwick came from as assistant coaches, yet all we did was screw choco over and then gave primus the job, which credit has to go to primus as he played alot of younger guys etc but still, what could of been.lol.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Clarko is an annoying individual constantly carries on regarding loss to dogs in finals16’ every year in press conference he always brings up the 100 tackles on dogs with little reward. The dogs are masters of getting rid of the pill in motion while being tackled which he reluctantly suggests, denial is a long awaited tooth decay for Clarko. He will go to his grave feeling hard done by rather than enjoying the golden moments. Bloody Elephant Brain!
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
I don't know if I'd be writing clarko off just yet but teague defs needs more time, He's copping it pretty hard considering what he had to deal with i think.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Nah you will win in a canter!
PeteB
Roar Rookie
Don’t want to put a tip on this one in case I jinx them haha
okapiman
Roar Rookie
It is a simple equation. Carlton should smash Hawthorn. However under Teague Carlton has developed a losing habit, play well but rarely well enough. If Carlton loses today or wins by less than a one-goal margin that will confirm my belief Teague is a spud.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Carlton is doing better than Hawthorn. The heat is on Clarko way more intensely. Teague has some issues, though. The greatest is his use of SPS. Such a talent should be used far more dynamically. He is quenching him in the same way Malthouse quenched Chris Lewis. Brilliant, classy, mercurial players should not be limited to flanks and pockets. They are match winners. Extend them. Demand more of their talent. SPS for the inside midfield or the wing. The reserves is not the place.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Have faith Pete!
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Yep
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Clarko wouldn’t be the correct or wise decision his days are numbered,Teague on the other hand is slowly finding his feet as it takes time to develop the synergy required for Carlton to take off! No need for panic stations & l’m sure the blues will become a fierce team to be reckoned with!
PeteB
Roar Rookie
Should, but will they ?
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I would have thought the only danger to Teague is a circling Mitchell or Clarkson should the Blues drop away a bit.
fractal pixie
Guest
Sacking Teague would be akin to sacking Ratten. The ousting of Ratten and the appointment of Malthouse set your club back decades, just after you were slowly getting back on track.
fractal pixie
Guest
All of us Cats fans want Hawthorn to win the spoon. Imagine a Geelong premiership and a Hawthorn wooden spoon in the same year.
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
The Blues really should win this, should there fans be worried. If they lose its all going to be about being out coached by clarko and those drums are going to start beating harder, whether it be right or wrong i think.
Boo
Guest
Carlton never adjusted to the salary cap as distinct from cheque book recruiting .Longest rebuild ever I'm torn on this one Hawthorn winning would create turmoil but equally want the Hawks to win the spoon so probably favor the Blues .
true blue
Guest
Sacking Teague is not a solution. We are still suffering from years of mistakes. We must do away with the we need to catch a big fish mentality.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Elimination final for Carlton need to win to stay in the hunt, hawthorn are a joke the blues should win by 10 goals!