The game as it stands
Another decade-long wait will come to an end for Carlton on Friday night when it takes on Melbourne in the first semi final.
Five of these two team’s last eight clashes have resulted in a single-digit deficit, meaning this game is sure to be a strong, contested affair.
Melbourne is known for its defensive prowess, ranking first in the AFL for points conceded per game, backing in the likes of Steven May and Jake Lever to thwart the opposition.
The Blues will have their hands full and they'll need to be at the top of their game from a clearance standpoint, with Melbourne also ranking No.1 in the competition for contested possessions.
Matthew Kennedy will be a handy asset to have back in the side, adding another strong body to the Carlton team, with his role to be clear come the first bounce on Friday night.
Key match up
Both these sides have been the centre of the two-ruck debate over the course of the year, but that won't be the case on Friday night.
Last time they met, the duo of Marc Pittonet and Tom De Koning did a solid job against six-time All-Australian Max Gawn, able to use their two-pronged attack to negate the All-Australian ruckman.
With no Brodie Grundy this time for Melbourne, it remains to be seen how the contrasting styles of Pittonet and De Koning fare against Gawn, who was excellent in his side's narrow qualifying final loss to Collingwood (27 disposals, 31 hitouts).
Player to watch
Adam Saad was an electric presence in the Blues’ elimination final against the Swans, with the speedy half-back using his penetrating left foot to split open the game (505 metres gained).
Melbourne had plenty of forward territory last weekend, so Saad's ability to keep calm under pressure and rebound will be key when the Blues are forced to defend from their last line.
Goss from Voss
Melbourne has been a premiership favourite throughout various stages of the year, and AFL Senior Coach Michael Voss acknowledged the challenges that await his side on Friday night.
On the flip side, he knows that - as was shown in Round 22 - the Blues have the weapons to stifle the opposition provided they play at their absolute best.
“They’ve had an established system for a period of time and there’s always a slightly different emphasis that they might have on something from a week-to-week basis,” Voss said.
“They’re a high-quality football side, they’ve shown a level of consistency across a season that says they’re a genuine threat and they’ve been premiership favourites at different stages of the season so we know what we’re walking into – it’ll take our best to get the job done.”
Things we love to see
Even though it’s a Melbourne home game on Friday night, the MCG will be packed with loyal Bluebaggers come the first bounce.
If the noise from last week is anything to go by, the home of football will be shaking in what will be Carlton's first semi final at the MCG for 22 years.
