AFL Media's Michael Whiting previews Carlton's Round 3 clash away to Gold Coast:
SUMMARY
This contest looks to be a pretty one-sided affair, but the old adage of "a week's a long time in footy" seems more applicable than ever in 2016. Five teams written off as poor round one losers bounced back to win last week. Gold Coast stormed to the best victory of its young history against Fremantle at Domain Stadium and remain undefeated, while the Blues are still winless after battling bravely but being overpowered by the red hot Sydney Swans. The Suns have played an exciting brand of football in the opening fortnight, moving the ball quickly and giving themselves plenty of opportunities to score. After such a horror 2015 they have no reason to be complacent, and their best effort should be good enough to get the four points here.
WHERE AND WHEN: Metricon Stadium, Saturday, April 9, 7.25pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R13, 2015, Carlton 14.19 (103) d Gold Coast 9.15 (69) at Etihad Stadium
R20, 2014, Carlton 14.13 (97) d Gold Coast 8.10 (58) at Etihad Stadium
R18, 2013, Carlton 16.24 (120) d Gold Coast 11.11 (77) at Metricon Stadium
R22, 2012, Gold Coast 15.8 (98) d Carlton 11.20 (86) at Metricon Stadium
R2, 2011, Carlton 26.15 (171) d Gold Coast 7.10 (52) at the Gabba
THE SIX POINTS
1. Carlton dominated the Suns in last year's meeting, winning the disposals (412-282), marks (112-94), scoring shots (33-24) and inside 50s (52-47). Tom Bell was best on ground with 32 disposals, while Andrejs Everitt and Levi Casboult kicked three goals each.
2. In their first two games the Suns have kicked a combined 36 goals to their opponents' 20. Vice-captain Tom Lynch has taken 14 marks and kicked nine goals, while midfielder Aaron Hall tops the disposals with 68.
3. Carlton has a mixed history at Metricon Stadium, formerly Carrara, losing five of eight games. Two of their three wins came against the Brisbane Bears.
4. Gold Coast has struggled to score against Carlton in its five matches, kicking an average of just 70 points a game, compared to the Blues' 115.
5. Despite beating Fremantle, Gold Coast won just one quarter – the second – after winning all four against Essendon the previous week. Carlton failed to win a single quarter against the Swans and were thumped in all statistical categories.
6. Aaron Hall's 32 disposals last week jumped him up another 10 places on the Schick AFL Player Ratings to a career-high 142nd overall. In his past 10 games Hall has rocketed a remarkable 126 places.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Jacob Weitering.
When you're the No.1 draft pick – and a key defender at that – every week is a big one. Weitering has already spent chunks of playing time on stars Jack Riewoldt and Lance Franklin, and watch for him to learn more from Suns star Tom Lynch. Michael Jamison might get first crack, but Weitering will get his chance as the mobile Lynch roams up the ground. Lynch has nine goals in two weeks and stopping him is crucial to curbing Gold Coast.
