Take a look at these lesser-known facts as the Blues prepare to host the Crows at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night:
- Kade Simpson will equal Anthony Koutoufides’ record of 18 games for Carlton against Adelaide. His best game came in 2014, when he recorded 37 disposals, one goal and three Brownlow votes in a five-point win.
- Carlton will be looking for its first win of the final round of the season in five years. The Blues’ last win in Round 23 was against another South Australian side: a famous one-point win over Port Adelaide secured a finals berth.
- Patrick Cripps needs 22 more contested possessions to equal the home-and-away record set by Patrick Dangerfield last season. He’s had 22 or more contested possessions on nine occasions in 80 career games.
- Five players on the weekend have represented both sides in Saturday night’s clash. Bryce Gibbs was the only one to taste victory in his first match against his old side.
- Gibbs will be the only player featuring who received Brownlow votes in the corresponding fixture last year, albeit for the opposite team. Adelaide’s Brad Crouch (two votes) hasn’t played all year, while best-on-ground Liam Jones will also miss through injury.
- Two more goals for Charlie Curnow will see him reach 35 goals for the season, which would make him the first Blue in five years to reach the total.
- Curnow and fellow forward Harry McKay have both averaged at least 1.5 goals per game in 2018. They’re two of only six players under the age of 22 to be that prolific in front of goal.
- Adelaide is the last interstate team which Carlton defeated in a final (2001 elimination final). Matthew Lappin kicked five goals while Jim Plunkett recorded 34 disposals and kicked two goals.
- Two of Carlton’s best-ever forwards enjoyed playing against Adelaide. Stephen Kernahan has the best goal-per-game average against the Crows of any Blue (3.11), while Brendan Fevola’s 29 goals from 11 games is the most.
Facts with thanks to the Blueseum
