CARLTON will play its final game of the 2018 season when it hosts Adelaide at Etihad Stadium.

DETAILS: Etihad Stadium, Saturday, August 25, 7.25pm AEST

BROADCAST: FOX Sports 3 (Channel 503), Coverage from 7.00pm
RADIO: SEN

THE GAME IN FOCUS

The game on Saturday night will mark the end of the year for both Carlton and Adelaide, with neither club to feature in finals action.

Both the Blues and Crows will be out to finish the season on a high as they look to recharge and improve across the board in 2019.

As Carlton has done all year, an eye to the future will be cast, with the Blues having named nine players under the age of 22.

Adelaide will also be relying on a mixture of experience and youth, with emerging defender Tom Doedee and captain Taylor Walker among a number of names to miss the clash.

LAST TIME THEY MET

Carlton 10.10 (70) defeated by Adelaide 19.11 (125) — Round 7, 2018, Adelaide Oval

While the scoreboard suggested a blow-out in favour of Adelaide, the Blues took the fight to an in-form Crows line-up back in Round 7.

After Adelaide rushed out to an early lead with a seven-goal opening term, Carlton showed some impressive resilience to get within 16 points in the second quarter.

Frustratingly for the Blues, they were unable to capitalise on opportunities going forward as Adelaide piled on 10.8 to 4.6 in the second half.

Experienced duo Kade Simpson and Dale Thomas stood up in defence with 26 disposals each, while Paddy Dow kicked his first goal in AFL football.

WHAT TO WATCH

For the 210th time in the AFL, a game will feature both Marc Murphy and Bryce Gibbs. However, it’ll be the first time the pair aren’t teammates.

After 231 games in the navy blue, Gibbs returned home to South Australia last year, and played against his old side for the first time in Round 7.

However, with Murphy missing that match due to a foot injury, Saturday night will be the first time the two great mates do battle on opposing sides.

Both have averaged 26 disposals per game this season, and are likely to find themselves pitted against one another at some stage on Saturday night. It’s sure to be a contest both will relish.


Marc Murphy and Bryce Gibbs will play their first game against one another on Saturday night. (Photo: AFL Media)

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

While his fellow top-10 draft pick won’t be alongside him at the weekend, that won’t faze Lochie O’Brien.

The 18-year-old has progressed by the week in his debut season, topped off by his best performance to date against the Western Bulldogs.

Unlucky to not earn a Rising Star nomination, O’Brien’s 20 disposals were a career-high and he continues to show more signs by the week.

In what will be his last chance to make a statement from his first season, O’Brien — joined by fellow draftee Tom De Koning — will be out to end a personally memorable year on a high.

BLUE VIEW

With nine players aged under 22, it could be argued that 2019 begins on Saturday night for the Navy Blues.

Although Adelaide won’t be featuring in September action, Carlton will be fully aware of the credentials of last year’s grand finalists — particularly when the Crows are up and going.

There are 16 players who featured in the big dance for the Crows last year coming up against the Blues on Saturday.

It presents an opportunity for a youthful Carlton outfit to test itself against some of the competition’s best.