Carlton will be striving to win four games in a row this weekend for the first time since 2011 when it takes on the Power at Etihad Stadium.
After defeating Fremantle, Essendon and Collingwood, the Blues will be aiming to add Port Adelaide to their list of victories on Sunday afternoon.
While Carlton is currently positioned 12th on the ladder with three wins and four losses, the Power sit in 10th spot, after recording four wins and three losses in the first seven rounds.
With strong wins against Richmond and Brisbane in the past two weeks, Port Adelaide has lifted in confidence – a fact Carlton coach Brendon Bolton is well aware.
“They’re making some steps forward, especially in the last few weeks,” Bolton told media on Friday.
“They’re improving around the contested game and we do know they can transition really quickly from defence into their forward line – we’re going to be on our toes."
Carlton coach Brendon Bolton keeps a close eye on training on Friday morning. (Photo: AFL Media)
The last time these sides met was Round 12 last year at the MCG, with the Blues walking away four-point winners in the upset of the round: 17.8.110 to 16.10.106.
The man who’s set to run out for his 250th game this weekend, Kade Simpson, played a vital role in that victory, getting his fingertips to the ball and forcing the umpire to call ‘play on’ when it was marked by Sam Colquhoun inside Port’s forward 50 with a minute left on the clock.
Bolton praised the team’s vice-captain for his “amazing courage” and urged all supporters to get along to the game and help celebrate Simpson’s milestone.
“For a guy who’s only slight in stature, what amazing courage,” Bolton said.
“He goes back with the flight regularly and to his credit he’s really solidified our defence. He’s been one that gives a lot of instruction out on the ground, so I’m proud for him and proud for his family.”
Carlton’s defence has been a highlight of its game so far this season with opposition clubs noting the Blues have become hard to score against.
Ahead of Sunday’s clash, Port Adelaide defender Jasper Pittard reiterated this point, telling media he knows the Blues’ defensive structure is a strength of their game, and poses a “huge challenge”.
“Defensively they’re really sound, they’re hard to score against, they’ve proven that over their last seven games, they’ve been really good at keeping the ball in their front half which is going to make it difficult for us,” Pittard said.
“We’re going to have to challenge them with our ball movement, and I think they’ve really bought into that defensive style of play, so it’s going to be a huge challenge for us.”
Carlton’s 25-man squad consists of three ins: Simon White, who was a late withdrawal last week, Dylan Buckley and Nick Graham. The final 22-man team will be announced on Friday evening.
Meanwhile Port has three inclusions: Sam Gray, Karl Amon and Dougal Howard.
Carlton takes on Port Adelaide this Sunday at Etihad Stadium, with the match kicking off at 1:10pm.
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