AFL Media's Howard Kotton prevews Carlton's clash with Adelaide at the MCG on Saturday:
SUMMARY
All eyes will be on the performance of Bryce Gibbs as these clubs meet for the first time this season. After his failed bid to join Adelaide during last year's trade period when the clubs could not reach a deal, he has been one of Carlton's better performers this season – highlighted by a brilliant display against the Suns two weeks ago. While the ladder positions suggest otherwise, these teams' form lines in the past two months have been the same – three wins and four losses. Both clubs are coming off disappointing defeats, the Crows capitulating in a shock loss to Hawthorn at home and the Blues never looking in the hunt against Richmond. Carlton's defence has been hard to crack and needs to restrict Adelaide's dangerous attack to have any chance of upsetting the visitors.
WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Saturday, July 1, 2.10pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
PAST FIVE TIMES
R16, 2016, Adelaide 16.11 (107) d Carlton 7.5 (47) at the MCG
R10, 2015, Adelaide 14.15 (99) d Carlton 14.6 (90) at the MCG
R10, 2014, Carlton 12.9 (81) d Adelaide 10.16 (76) at the MCG
R5, 2013, Carlton 17.13 (115) d Adelaide 12.11 (83) at the MCG
R8, 2012, Adelaide 19.10 (124) d Carlton 8.7 (55) at Etihad Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Adelaide thrashed Carlton the last time these clubs played. In a strong second half the Crows booted seven goals to one. They had 102 more disposals and 40 more contested possessions for the game.
2. The Crows are the highest-scoring team this season, averaging 116 points a game. In their four losses they have failed to reach 100 points in a game, with a highest score of 86.
3. Carlton and Adelaide clash for the 36th time and not much separates the clubs, with 18 wins to 17 in the Blues' favour. Since 2011 it is three wins each.
4. The Blues are the lowest-scoring side this season, averaging only 72 points a game. They have yet to kick 100 points, with their highest score of 97 in round six against Sydney.
5. At the MCG it is three wins each from six contests. The Crows' recent MCG form has been good, winning their past three games including a victory over Hawthorn in round two.
6. The Schick AFL Player Ratings provide a good indication of the decline in Crows star Rory Sloane's stocks in the past month. After round 10 Sloane was in third place and while he has dropped only one spot overall, his points score has gone down steadily to 599.8.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Eddie Betts
The star small forward gains AFL life membership this week and should relish a return to the wide-open spaces of the MCG against his former club. He kicked three straight against the Blues last year and will be keen to redeem himself after a quiet game against Hawthorn last round.
