The game as it stands
Carlton will look to get its first win in three starts when travelling to Perth to take on West Coast.
With the return of Adam Saad and Sam Docherty to the side, the Blues’ backline will be bolstered with some speed and penetration – two things the team as a whole was lacking last weekend.
West Coast has only had the single win this season, but its best footy has been competitive: rather, it has been quarters - instead of games - which has let the opposition down to date.
Carlton will have to be prepared for the home team to come at them hard: the Eagles are ranked second in the competition for total tackles.
When it comes to the stat sheet, there isn't much separating the two sides, so the Blues will need to be on their game for their second consecutive Optus Stadium win.
Key match up
Tom Barrass is a dangerous prospect in the Eagles’ backline, with the Claremont product sure to line up on either Charlie Curnow or Harry McKay.
Ranked fourth in the competition for contested marks, Barrass will be a formidable matchup for Carlton’s tall-forward duo, with the Eagles also welcoming back Shannon Hurn to the lineup.
However, there won't be two McGovern brothers opposing one another for the first time since 2017, with West Coast's Jeremy to miss as Carlton's Mitch fills a defensive post.
Player to watch
While he hasn't been as his prolific in front of goal this year as previous seasons, Harry McKay delivered a game-high 14 marks (five contested) last weekend.
After six rounds, McKay is ranked No.1 for contested marks per game, proving his worth as an outlet for the Blues both inside 50 and higher up the ground.
As Michael Voss said during the week, McKay is having no issue finding the football - he's averaging his most disposals per game for his career - so the next step is converting that in a meaningful way on the scoreboard.
Goss from Voss
For the Blues to be an 'anywhere, anytime' team, the AFL Senior Coach said the Blues simply needed to bring their best football against any opposition, which has eluded the side in recent weeks.
"We’re pretty clear on what we’re coming into," Voss said.
"It’s a tough environment to win at and we don’t have a great record here. Last year we came here for a win, and we want to come away with another one.
"We have an expectation of the way we want to play — regardless of where that is, what opposition we play or who is in the jumper.”
Things we love to see
It’s the Blues’ first outing to Western Australia this year, with the side participating in an open training session on Friday for the first time since Covid restrictions.
With more than a few Western Australian natives on their list - along with a strong supporter base in the state - it will be a loud and proud Carlton crowd at a sold-out Optus Stadium this Saturday night.
