Carlton will be striving for its second win of the season when it faces the Gold Coast Suns at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
The Blues will enter the Round 4 clash on the back of a hard-fought victory over arch-rival Essendon, but the Suns are set to ooze confidence following their 86-point triumph over Hawthorn.
Speaking ahead of Saturday night’s clash, Carlton captain Marc Murphy said his side would have to emulate last week’s effort when it lines up against the men from the Sunshine state.
“They’ve (Gold Coast) got a lot of talent at that footy club and can play some really good footy,” Murphy told RSN 927 on Thursday morning.
“We need to be at our best to get close to beating them.”
The two sides have faced one another on six occasions, with the Blues holding the ledger four wins to the Sun’s two.
But it’s Rodney Eade’s men who currently hold the upper hand over the navy blue squad after they kicked away late in their last meeting to record a 54-point win, a little over one year ago.
In that match, reliable Carlton midfielder Ed Curnow amassed 30 possessions, while youngster Jacob Weitering shone in a lacklustre day for the Blues to stun the Suns with a 26-disposal performance in his third AFL game.
In contrast, speedy midfielder Aaron Hall was Gold Coast’s man on a mission, racking up 40 disposals on top of one goal, while small forward Jack Martin booted three as the highest scorer.
And after kicking a consistent three goals in Rounds 2 and 3, Martin looks set to challenge the Carlton defence again when the sides go head-to-head for the first of two encounters this year.
On approach to his team’s first trip to Melbourne in 2017, the 22-year-old acknowledged the development of Brendon Bolton’s squad but said the red and gold outfit would come out firing on the back of their first win.
"They're (Carlton) in good form,” Martin told AFL.com.au.
“It (beating Hawthorn) means nothing if we can't win this weekend, so the boys are switched on."
With the Suns averaging almost 19 centre clearances a game, they’re ranked first in this category across the competition, and will pose a significant test for Carlton which is ranked equal ninth with an average of 14.
Both teams will enter the match off the back of a six-day break, but the Suns will be without star full-back Rory Thompson, who succumbed to injury in the win over Hawthorn.
Gold Coast has struggled at Etihad in recent years, with its last win at the venue dating back to Round 9, 2014.
Can the Blues serve the Suns another blow at Docklands?
Be there to witness the contest unfold from 7:25pm on Saturday 15 April. Click here to secure your seats.
