CARLTON heads to Perth for the first time this season this weekend, as the Blues prepare to take on the Dockers. Carlton Media previews the Round 21 clash.
DETAILS: Optus Stadium, Sunday, August 12, 2.40pm AWST (4.40pm AEST)
BROADCAST: FOX Footy (Channel 504), Coverage from 4.30pm
RADIO: Triple M, 3AW, SEN, ABC, ABC Grandstand
THE GAME IN FOCUS
Both these sides enter the Round 21 fixture looking to bounce back from last Sunday.
Carlton went down heavily to GWS, while Fremantle was inflicted a heavy 58-point loss in the Western Derby.
The match will be the Blues’ first trip to Optus Stadium, as well as their final interstate trip in season 2018.
LAST TIME THEY MET
Carlton 6.10 (46) defeated by Fremantle 15.13 (103) — Round 13, 2018
It was a day to forget for the Blues when the two sides met earlier this season.
Fremantle left Carlton goalless in the opening half, with the Blues only managing seven points. The home side dug in, but ultimately fell by 57 points.
Midfielders Nat Fyfe and Lachie Neale did the damage for the victors, combining for 63 disposals and five goals between them. Patrick Cripps (38 disposals) and Kade Simpson (32 disposals) were Carlton’s best.
WHAT TO WATCH
Two top-five picks from last year’s national draft are every chance to spend considerable time against each other on Sunday.
While Andrew Bradshaw (pick No.2 in 2017) won’t be out there, the battle between Paddy Dow and Adam Cerra will be a mouth-watering one for fans and neutrals alike.
Both players have shown their undoubted potential throughout this season, after being taken at pick Nos.3 and 5 respectively at the end of 2017.
Dow picked up a Rising Star nomination in Round 14, before Cerra followed a fortnight later.
With each of them averaging 14 disposals a game and with the potential for so much more to come, these two stars of the future are the very definition of ‘what to watch’.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT
Absent the last time these two sides met, captain Marc Murphy will have a big role to play in a midfield battle which will be critical, according to Brendon Bolton.
After a frustrating beginning to the year due to a foot injury, Murphy has returned in the last six weeks and been an asset for his side.
Murphy has averaged 28 disposals in the last six weeks at 75 percent efficiency, as well as four clearances per game.
With his opposing captain likely to be out of action once again, Murphy and his fellow midfield charges have a pivotal say in the middle of the ground.
Captain Marc Murphy has played a big role since returning from injury. (Photo: AFL Media)
BLUE VIEW
Putting the disappointment aside from last weekend will be critical for the Blues, as they’ll look to strike back with a second interstate win in as many outings.
With some key West Australian talent in the navy blue, the likes of Cripps, Sam Petrevski-Seton and Jarrod Pickett will be hoping to put on a show in their home state.
Despite Sunday being the first trip to Optus Stadium, the Blues have enjoyed trips to Perth in the past: Brendon Bolton’s first win came against the Dockers in WA two years ago.
