The game as it stands
After last week’s unfulfilling finish against Richmond, Carlton will be looking to produce a four-quarter performance tonight at the MCG.
Whilst taking on the reigning premiers in the Cats is no easy feat, the Blues will look to embrace the lessons learned in their Round 1 draw, where they held up defensively but couldn’t generate meaningful scoring entries against the Tigers.
Despite Tom Stewart missing for the Cats, the likes of Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay will still have their work cut out for them as they look to have a greater impact on the scoreboard this time around.
George Hewett's hand injury will keep him out of the side this week, meaning Matt Kennedy and Adam Cerra will be among the Blues to take the onus in the centre from a physicality standpoint.
The mosquito fleet will be in full flight with the return of Corey Durdin to the side, lining up alongside Jesse Motlop, Matt Owies and Zac Fisher to create havoc at the fall of the ball.
With both sides unable to post wins in their Round 1 openers, expect a willing contest from the very first bounce.
Key match-up
Patrick Cripps v Patrick Dangerfield.
The two have similarities beyond their first name, as fellow Brownlow Medallists, All Australians, Leigh Matthews Trophy winners and - for the first time against one another - opposing club captains.
In Dangerfield’s second outing as captain, he’ll could spend time head to head with Cripps, who had an impactful performance (particularly in the last quarter) for Carlton last week.
The pair both managed 15 contested possessions last week and will be battling it out as two of the best contested midfielders in the competition.
Player to watch
Lewis Young - who delivered a solid performance in Round 1 - will be looking to deliver a similar performance as he hones his defensive craft.
The last time these sides met, Young lined up against Jeremy Cameron, with Young’s contemporary in Jacob Weitering manning Tom Hawkins.
As Carlton looks to negate the competition’s most prolific forward line, expect plenty of fireworks at the MCG.
Goss from Voss
"We’ve got Round 2 with the Cats, who look maybe even more formidable coming off a loss,” the AFL Senior Coach said in his Round 2 pre-match press conference.
"All we can do is turn up and play the way we want to play and it makes it more challenging against a quality opposition but there should be no reason why we can’t do that."
Things we love to see
Last year was the first time that the De Koning brothers lined up against each other on the field, while parents Jackie and Terry watched from afar in Bali in hybrid Carlton/Geelong scarves.
While Sam De Koning took home the four points in their last clash, it's always a special occasion when family members line up on opposing teams.
Mr and Mrs De Koning’s cheers will be heard around the MCG as the brothers battle it out . . . from our end, hopefully they'll be singing with the Navy Blue faithful come the final siren.
