CARLTON will be preparing for a tough midfield match-up on Thursday night when it faces Richmond at IKON Park.

With both teams entering the Week 4 clash with a 2-1 win-loss record, the two highly touted midfields will well and truly be put to the test against one another.

Speaking on The Rundown podcast, Marianna Anthony and Lily Goss spoke of their excitement of what they expect to be a highly physical contest.

“I think Richmond has been one of those teams where the last few years they’ve been a real challenge for us,” Goss said.

“I think they play quite similar to us, and I think they’ve had a few ins like Ellie McKenzie who’s big in terms of contest and power in their midfield, and that’s what we go after too.

“That’s exciting for us because that’s what we really thrive on, that tackle pressure and that physicality, and who can be the most damaging out of that contest.”

The Carlton midfield will be coming off a big performance against Geelong last weekend, with Maddy Guerin, Abbie McKay, and Mimi Hill (who started off half back) all recording over 30 disposals and a goal.

“Even though the midfield contest for Richmond is one of their strong points, I think our midfield contest work is also one of our major strong points,” Anthony said.

“We’ve got a really young midfield, but they’ve just been so impressive at the start of the season.”

Adding to that, Goss noted that having a midfield that can impact the scoreboard is a point of difference to the Carlton group.

“To have ‘Mads’, ‘Mim’ and ‘Abs’ all kick a goal is such a vital part of how we can get up on teams, I don’t think many clubs would have that impact from their mids consistently,” Goss said.

“I think that’s what makes us so good is how dynamic we are through the midfield and for them to have scoreboard impact.

“If we can keep doing that that’ll be a massive help for everyone.”

For Carlton, the key will be to find consistency in their game across all four quarters. While last weekend against Geelong proved that they are capable of such consistency, it is now a matter of whether they can back it up in weeks to come.

“We saw it in the Geelong game, we were damaging when we had the ball and taking our moments,” Anthony said.

“The first quarter we were all over them, but the scoreboard didn’t portray that, so anything could’ve happened after that.

“I think a really good, damaging team that’s going to go far into the season is a team that scores and makes the most of all their opportunities.”