The first semi final of 2023 sees Melbourne hosting the in-form Carlton to see who wins the right to continue on and play Brisbane in a preliminary final next week. Join The Roar for live scores from 7:50pm (AEST).
Melbourne enter this match-up with some serious questions around them for the first time since their omission of Brody Grundy late in the home and away season. Having lost Jake Melksham before September football even began, they have now also lost Jacob van Rooyen to suspension for this critical game.
Of course, the Demons will be missing Angus Brayshaw due to concussion resulting from the now infamous incident with Brayden Maynard in the qualifying final last week. They also chose to omit Michael Hibberd in favour of Adam Tomlinson this week, and bring in James Jordon and Charlie Spargo for Brayshaw and van Rooyen.
Losing a key midfielder and a tall forward target amplifies the Demons’ key issue of last week, their efficiency going inside 50, with Simon Goodwin hoping to rectify the situation by going in to this week with a smaller forward line. Going up against another formidable backline this time headlined by Jacob Weitering, the Demons will need to come up with a new strategy for their forward half play if they hope to not repeat last week’s mistakes.
Carlton have been playing like a team possessed in the back half of this season and enter tonight on the back of their first finals appearance and win in a decade. Having finally tasted a small piece of finals football after such a long wait, they’re playing like a team that mean to firmly take this opportunity and run away with it all the way to a premiership.
All of the pieces that make the Blues so threatening were on display in last week’s game against Sydney. Charlie Curnow’s ability to draw an extra defender and still hit the scoreboard is aiding in making the ground level players around him even more lethal.
Unfortunately, like Melbourne, the Blues also have some forced changes this week with Harry McKay going out with concussion and Jack Martin out for one week due to suspension. Jesse Motlop comes into the starting 22 from the substitute spot for Martin, and Matthew Kennedy replaces McKay.
My gut feel for this game is that it will be decided by who can win the contest and ground ball more. Both midfields pride themselves on their contested footy and their hunger for the contest, and I think it will be Carlton’s midfield who will just edge out Melbourne’s to hand the Blues a ticket to the GABBA to meet the Lions in eight days’ time.
Venue: MCG
First bounce: 7:50pm (AEST)
TV: Channel 7, Fox Footy
Streaming: Kayo Sports
Betting: Demons $1.65, Blues $2.25 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Melbourne
B: J. Lever, A. Tomlinson, J. Bowey
HB: J. McVee, S. May, C. Salem
C: L. Hunter, C. Oliver, E. Langdon
HF: J. Jordon, B. Fritsch, C. Petracca
F: T. Sparrow, T. McDonald, A. Neal-Bullen
R: M. Gawn (c), J. Viney, K. Pickett
I/C: C. Spargo, T. Rivers, J. Smith, K. Chandler
EMG: B. Grundy, M. Hibberd, B. Laurie, J. Schache
IN: Jordon, Spargo, Tomlinson.
OUT: Brayshaw, Hibberd, van Rooyen.
Carlton
B: B. Kemp, J. Weitering, N. Newman
HB: A. Cincotta, M. McGovern, A. Saad
C: B. Acres, P. Cripps (c), M. Cottrell
HF: S. Docherty, T. De Koning, M. Owies
F: L. Fogarty, C. Curnow, J. Motlop
R: M. Pittonet, A. Cerra, S. Walsh
I/C: M. Kennedy, C. Marchbank, D. Cuningham, G. Hewett
EMG: P. Dow, O. Hollands, Z. Fisher, S. Durdin
IN: Kennedy, Motlop (EF sub).
OUT: Martin, McKay.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
I’m glad you have identified your flaws but l never suggested any precursor to an eventful drop in performance based on nullifying teams in a negative derogatory tone. You are paranoid man but l won’t hold it against ya!
UnderHeatleyStand
Roar Rookie
You must be mates with the bloke on another site who described Sam Walsh as a "mid-tier player". We know our flaws and are working on them to become better, but if you think our wins during this run have been about dragging teams down to our level, you're not looking at us often or close enough. Come on You Blues! ✊✊✊
Parklane7835
Roar Rookie
Is Carlton interested in James Harmes from Melbourne Demons during Trade Week?
Parklane7835
Roar Rookie
Are there been any clubs Interest in Paddy Dow,Zac Fisher and Lachie O'Brien from Carlton during Trade Week?
Parklane7835
Roar Rookie
Where are Jeremy Sharp and Chris Burgess for Gold Coast Suns are they Up For Trade if yes what clubs are after them?
Parklane7835
Roar Rookie
Tell me should Melbourne Demons go after Mabior Chol from the Gold Coast Suns during Trade Week?
sunnycoasttiger
Roar Rookie
Really not impressed with either team. Carlton win this game by default, just like last week. Their luck surely won't continue.
Diesel-747
Roar Rookie
I’ve never in 47 yrs seen anything like it- 1999 prelim was wow- but when acres marked in the Square in the last minute- I’ve never heard such a roar .
Diesel-747
Roar Rookie
:laughing:
sven
Roar Rookie
freo just couldnt squeeze him into that supa dupa star studded all conquering line up of theirs :laughing:
Dusty does Danger
Roar Rookie
That’s more than Richmond in 2017. :thumbup:
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Congrats Pete, the blues have a habit of making good sides look ordinary. Revert back to navy blue :shocked:
Wes P
Roar Rookie
Jacob Weitering you are a hero. IMO easily best on the ground.
deadly demon
Roar Rookie
certainly an embarrassing exit tonight how to lose a game wow
PriddisJunior
Roar Rookie
Rich was calling it if it went to 14pts @ 10 minutes to go. And JB sounds like he is watching a horse race the whole game. Had me thinking of syncing up a radio station.
nostats
Roar Rookie
i thought he mustve missread the scores or something after dees got 2/3 behinds in a row, made me confused as well, but thats not hard to do
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
And that's it?
Diesel-747
Roar Rookie
I hope Carlton get to play in navy blue next week, white isn’t a good look.
Diesel-747
Roar Rookie
Great pressure tho & mopped up beautifully
Diesel-747
Roar Rookie
Kennedy looked underdone imo