AFTER last week’s victory, Carlton hosts Greater Western Sydney at Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Carlton Media previews the Round 20 clash.
DETAILS: Etihad Stadium, Sunday, August 5, 1.10pm AEST
BROADCAST: FOX Footy (Channel 504), Coverage from 1pm
RADIO: SEN, ABC, ABC Grandstand
THE GAME IN FOCUS
The two teams enter this game with their respective form in stark contrast. GWS has won seven of its last eight games, while Carlton ended a nine-game losing streak with a win on the road in Round 19.
The Giants enter the game as one of the best sides in the competition, although the Blues will be positive after their return to winning ways last week.
LAST TIME THEY MET
Carlton 10.11 (71) defeated GWS Giants 9.16 (70) — Round 12, 2017
Carlton supporters won’t be forgetting last year’s clash between these two sides anytime soon.
With the Giants sitting at the top of the AFL mountain, the Blues produced a stunning one-point victory after a late Zac Fisher behind.
Matthew Kreuzer was instrumental that afternoon with 21 disposals, 33 hitouts, a goal and three Brownlow votes in his 150th game.
It was Carlton’s first win over GWS in its previous five attempts, after winning the first two games between the sides.
WHAT TO WATCH
There’ll be no shortage of high draft picks in action on Sunday, albeit at opposite ends of the spectrum.
While players such as Brett Deledio, Ryan Griffen, Marc Murphy and Dale Thomas were all early selections in their own right, it’s the developing talent coming through to keep an eye on.
Carlton fans can keep watch of the progression of GWS’ list, with the Blues finding themselves in a position which the Giants were in not too long ago.
Last week, GWS fielded 10 players who were taken between the 2011 and 2016 national drafts: half of them have now played 100 games.
That’s compared to Carlton’s team last weekend, which had nine players from the 2014 national draft to now and will form its core going forward. Jacob Weitering has played the most games with 54.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT
Matthew Kennedy will come up against his old side for the first time, after making his way across from the Giants to the Blues at the end of last season.
Joined by Giants-turned-Blues in Jed Lamb, Caleb Marchbank and Jarrod Pickett, Kennedy’s recent form should hold him in good stead against former teammates Josh Kelly and Callan Ward.
Kennedy has averaged over 21 disposals since returning from the bye, following an injury-interrupted beginning to his season. He has also had 12 clearances in the last fortnight, providing strong support for Patrick Cripps and captain Marc Murphy.
With GWS the second-best side in the AFL for clearances and third in contested possessions, Kennedy will need to put in a big shift for his new side with his fellow midfielders.
Former Giant Matthew Kennedy has found his rhythm after an injury-interrupted start to his Carlton career. (Photo: AFL Media)
BLUE VIEW
Carlton will take confidence from the victory against the Gold Coast Suns, in a game which displayed the abundance of young talent the Blues have coming through the ranks.
While the stage is set for a difficult task against a white-hot GWS outfit, Brendon Bolton’s side will be hopeful of similar output from both the emerging and upcoming talent.
It’ll be a significant test for the Blues, but one which individuals such as Paddy Dow, Sam Petrevski-Seton and Lochie O’Brien can use to test and elevate themselves against the best.
