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Match preview: Carlton v Port Adelaide
A look at Saturday night's clash against the Power at Telstra Dome
Carltonv Port Adelaide, Saturday, June 9, Telstra Dome, 7.10pm (AEST)
CARLTON
B: Ryan Houlihan, Jason Saddington, Bret Thornton HB: Heath Scotland,Jordan Bannister, Andrew Walker C: Kade Simpson, Luke Blackwell, Bryce Gibbs HF: Simon Wiggins, Brad Fisher, Matthew Lappin F: Marc Murphy, Brendan Fevola, Lance Whitnall FOLL: Cain Ackland, Jarrad Waite, Andrew Carrazzo I/C: Adam Bentick, Anthony Koutoufides, Setanta O’hAilpin, JordanRussell EMG: Paul Bower, Ryan Jackson, Ross Young In: Russell Out: Joe Anderson (hamstring)
Whenlast we met: Round 10, 2006, Port Adelaide 17.16 (118)def Carlton 12.12(84), Telstra Dome. Carlton was blown away by Port Adelaide in the first half, whowent into the major break 57 points up – their lead set up by an eight-goal tothree opening quarter.
Lance Whitnall and Bret Thornton helped stemthe flow in the second half, but wasteful disposals up the ground ensured theBlues were always under attack and unable to fight their way back into thegame. In fact, if not for Port taking their foot off the pedal, the scorelinecould have been much worse.
Lance Whitnall (30 disposals) and BretThornton, who kept Warren Tredrea goalless, were best afield for Carlton whilefor Port, youngsters Steven Salopek (30 disposals) and Danyle Pearce (25possessions) were best on ground for Port.
Carlton win percentage: against Port, 23.33 per cent; at the Telstra Dome, 24.39 per cent;against Port at the Telstra Dome, 0 per cent.
In the last two games against PortAdelaide, the Blues have lost by 34 and 14 points respectively. The teams haveclashed only once at the Telstra Dome; a ground where Port Adelaide has a 50per cent winning record – 10 wins from 20 games.
Averagedisposals - top three: Carlton: Heath Scotland(25), Andrew Carrazzo (22), Ryan Houlihan (22). Port Adelaide:Kane Cornes (27), ChadCornes (24), Peter Burgoyne (20)
Goals- Top Three: Carlton: BrendanFevola (33), Brad Fisher (16), Lance Whitnall (14). Port Adelaide:Brett Ebert (21), Shaun Burgoyne (12), David Rodan (12).
Tackles- Top Two: Carlton: Adam Bentick(66), Andrew Carrazzo (52). Port Adelaide:Domenic Cassisi (48), Kane Cornes (45).
Fromthe coaches box: “I think supporters will be in fora great game. Port Adelaidehas lost their last three games, so they are going to want to get off to aflyer. We are playing good footy and if you’ve seen any of our trainingsessions this week, the self belief has been bubbling amongst the players. Theyknow they are on the horizon of taking a few more teams on and getting theresult we deserve.” – assistant coach Brett Ratten.
Lastfive games: Carlton: loss (StK),loss (Coll), loss (Kang), loss (Adel), win (Dogs). Port Adelaide:win (Melb), win (Rich), loss (Syd), loss (Geel), loss (Haw).
The Blues head into this weekend’s game firedup to make it two in a row after breaking their six-game losing streak lastweek. The performance of Carlton’syounger players, particularly Marc Murphy and Bryce Gibbs, during the pressurestages of the last quarter will also have Denis Pagan going into the clash againstPort Adelaide with a little more confidence. The possible existence of a TelstraDome ‘hoodoo’ has been mentioned many times this week. However, consideringPort has lost six of its last 10 games at the venue, the ‘hoodoo’ is unlikelyto weigh heavily on Pagan’s or the player’s minds.
Port Adelaidegoes into Saturday’s clash looking to not only roll the Blues but to also stuffsome humble pie into the faces of the Adelaidemedia – who have questioned their hardness at the ball this season. Port Adelaide will want togain control from the first bounce, but as last year’s game between the twosides showed, they are susceptible to ‘brain fades’ in the second half. However,last year’s game between the two teams also showed that if the opposition doesnot convert its opportunities, the Power very rarely walk into the change roomsafter the game as a loser.
Both teams like one-on-one football, whichmeans gaining possession at the stoppages will be vital for both sides. Theword shootout has been mentioned.
Thebig question: Can the Blues find an answer to BrendonLade and dominate the stoppages?
