Carlton will take on Gold Coast on Saturday afternoon at Marvel Stadium in what looms another must-win for David Teague’s men.
Carlton come in to this game in reasonable form. After their most disappointing loss of the year to North Melbourne, the Blues were able to respond with a comfortable, exciting, 31-point win over the St Kilda last Friday night.
The Suns got completely outclassed by Melbourne by almost 100 points, going down by 98 points.
For Carlton, they have made it past seven wins in a season for the first time since 2013, and facing Gold Coast at home, they should see it as a massive opportunity to build towards ten wins for the year and still push for that unlikeliest of finals appearances.
The last time these sides met, Carlton were able to win a close encounter in Round 4 on the Gold Coast, holding out by 11 points in the end.
(Photo by Jono Searle/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
These are the players that could make a difference to this game for both sides.
For Carlton, these were the players that stood out against St Kilda. Harry McKay was sorely missed against North Melbourne. In his return game, he managed to kick five goals, along with 11 kicks and seven marks.
Sam Walsh had 26 disposals, 13 kicks, 13 handballs and three goals. Patrick Cripps had 26 disposals, eight kicks, 18 handballs and a goal. Jack Silvagni had 25 disposals, 12 kicks, 12 handballs, five marks and a goal.
Charlie Curnow returned, and will look to have more of an impact in this encounter after his team-lifting goal in the second quarter. He will be looking to find better form after a quiet return.
As for the Suns, the players that could make a difference and that stood out against Melbourne included the following players.
Alex Sexton had 14 disposals, ten kicks and four handballs. Touk Miller had 34 disposals, 19 kicks and 15 handballs. David Swallow had 26 disposals, 17 kicks, nine handballs and nine marks. Noah Anderson had 23 disposals, 14 kicks and nine handballs.
David Teague’s job was well and truly on the line after Carlton’s horror loss to North Melbourne, but Carlton really did respond last week against the Saints.
Having McKay and Curnow return from their injuries has provided with Blues with a lot more structure and quality.
If Teague really wants to keep his job, and Carlton are to truly prove to the AFL world that they are improving, they simply must win this one.
If we are talking nine to ten wins for Carlton, then that is a certain pass mark for them this year, as getting past seven wins was a start for them.
I expect that Carlton can continue to show the form they showed last week against a struggling Gold Coast outfit, sitting in 15th.
They simply must get the job done. It is crucial for their up-and-coming, young side to gain confidence and learn consistency now.
Prediction: Carlton by 36 points.
Thom Roker
Roar Guru
Two problems. One was Carlton and the other one was the fortitude of the Suns. The Blues by their own admission were completely unprepared for what the Suns came out with. It is a style of footy that I dubbed "Suns Footy" when I first saw it in the 2020 preseason, fast moving, playing smart angles, leading up hard to the footy, coast to coast, attacking the corridor, switching through the backline, running hard out of defence and creating goal scoring opportunities by keeping possession before aiming for inside 50 targets. Where the style comes totally undone is when disposal efficiency isn't crisp and the scoring isn't high. Even with the Suns dominating general play and most stats, they trailed at halftime because the Blues were scoring from intercepts. But weight of possession and winning the midfield battle saw the Suns power home in the second half, with their stingy defence keeping Carlton at bay in spite of what on paper looked like a 15 goal side. Disposal efficiency for GC ran at 80% all game until a shaky start to the final quarter let the Blues back into the contest. But as they did to Richmond and GWS, the Suns fought back to win the key contests when they mattered most. The key rule that keeps the Suns gameplan in play for longer is "don't burn Touk". His back up running and ability to work in tight spaces is elite, with vice captain looking at a busy awards season in his breakout year. 2014 was a reasonable draft year, but a re-draft would shake up the top positions and Touk would be among the top 5. Carlton weren't even that bad
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
Oh Lordy... well written article that only failed to take into account one small problem... it's Carlton
Donmac
Roar Rookie
Bye bye David, I reckon that had already been decided despite today debacle.
Andrew
Guest
Well my team botched another game. Teague just can't get consistency out of the players.
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
I have thought that, whether if we win well pull them out for the song again, I think we'll leave it as we've got bigger fish to fry and coming when it comes to the prison bars but i could be wrong, if it does happen its been kept very quiet again.
okapiman
Roar Rookie
Teague is a spud, a nice spud but nonetheless a spud. If Clarko wants the job it should be his... Carlton would be top 4 next year with Clarko..
Diesel-747
Roar Rookie
Agree with chanon . Teagues fate was sealed weeks ago IMO- Truly believe he will be moved on . Carlton should win this, by 8-10 Goals. But will they? I’m tipping a close game& Carlton get themselves into a loosing position with minutes to go and get very very nervous. Seen it all to often. Having said that have noticed overall the team is starting to gel together. Jack silvagni in career best form, Harry same.Carlton have not relied on Cripps this yr , that’s promising. Dow , stocker and now saad finding there feet. Kennedy and Newman improving . Liked last weeks game - best performance for Carlton 2021. Good teams back up , I feel should win , will win, but nervous. Carlton by 3 points. Ive got the microscope on Williamson & plowman. Both poor disposal, Williamson very very ordinary kicking last week. Plowman holding back ,no head over the ball.
PeteB
Roar Rookie
Correct. Those green shoots that Bolton used to bang on about are now in their 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th seasons.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
True man just some continuity will galvanise the group!
Andrew
Guest
For the record, I'd back Carlton by 40 today and likely lose vs P.A 75/25% and 60/40% against vs GWS.
Andrew
Guest
Chanon, was more referencing Cornes dig at Carlton's win last week. Hater gonna hate even if we win. Even wins seem to get criticized and I think a strong showing over the next 3 weeks (hopefully) may just silence a few ppl.
Ditto
Roar Rookie
I think Carlton can stop being referred to as being a young side, they're not.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Train wreck is coming man & your prison bars will be striking where the sun doesn’t shine :laughing:
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Clarko the elephant brain must have a whole stack of best wish cards from half a dozen teams in our comp. He can sit back & watch the train wreck unfold while smoking cigars & his manager saying show me the money!!!!!!
DingoGray
Roar Guru
It's something right up Carlton Alley! But I believe it's likely Carlton are giving the flogging out and questions will probably continue to be asked about Dew going forward. Especially with the Big Elephant that is Clarko waiving his trunk around.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
That’s a terrible hypothetical disaster I think apart from driving a dagger into Teague future the players would be frowned upon & their careers are on a knifes edge if that was to occur No one is immune!
DingoGray
Roar Guru
It some way it does, do you think Teague survives if Gold Coast absolutely belt Carlton? Let's say (not going to happen) but let's play devils advocate.... Suns were to win by 10 goals, i think you will find that Teague would not have a future as senior coach.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Andrew, Teague fate doesn’t rest on this weeks game that’s hysterical but a solid win will help the group. All the best!
Andrew
Guest
As long as we don't over celebrate this week. That way they'll have to find some other way to complain.
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
For the love of God win Carlton, last thing I want is for you to lose and face a week of bs in the media before coming up against us next week.lol.