AFL.com.au previews Carlton's Round 20 clash against Brisbane at the Gabba...
SUMMARY
There are still four rounds remaining, but this looms as the battle for the wooden spoon. The Lions are one win (and less than two percentage points) behind Carlton and could leapfrog them with a victory. Conversely, a Blues win would almost lock the Lions into last place and the first pick in the NAB AFL Draft later this year. The home team was competitive against Gold Coast in its last start but again failed to make the most of its forward entries, while Carlton frightened arch rivals Collingwood before ultimately succumbing. Both teams appear to have forgotten how to win. They look evenly matched, but we'll give the home team a slight edge here.
WHERE AND WHEN: the Gabba, August 15, 7.20pm
AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R6, 2015, Brisbane Lions 12.12 (84) d Carlton 11.9 (75) at Etihad Stadium
R11, 2014, Brisbane Lions 14.14 (98) d Carlton 13.13 (91) at the Gabba
R9, 2013, Carlton 13.20 (98) d Brisbane Lions 12.13 (85) at the Gabba
R20, 2012, Carlton 17.11 (113) d Brisbane Lions 10.17 (77) at Etihad Stadium
R2, 2012, Carlton 23.16 (154) d Brisbane Lions 9.9 (63) at the Gabba
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Lions had fewer disposals and took the ball inside 50 less in their round six meeting, but still won thanks to four goals from Daniel McStay and 29 possessions to Dayne Beams.
2. Carlton is ranked second for centre clearances in 2015, averaging 13.6 a game, while the Lions have struggled, ranked 11th with 11.6 a game.
3. Carlton holds a 27-18 advantage in head-to-head matchups. The Lions have won the past two meetings, ending a run of five successive win for the Blues.
4. The Lions have been competitive in the clearances this season, ranked fifth with 40.5 a game, while Carlton is eighth with an average of 39.3.
5. Both teams have struggled in contested possessions, ranked 16th and 17th. They’ve also struggled in uncontested possessions - the Lions ranked 14th and the Blues 15th.
6. Carlton's Tom Bell continued his terrific season with 24 disposals and four tackles against Collingwood. He started the year ranked 327th on the AFL Official Player Ratings, but has now jumped to 142nd overall.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Mitch Robinson. Any time you play a former club, there's a little extra feeling – so the Blues better watch out. Robinson was solid when the teams met in round six, but despite the Lions' struggles, he has got better and better as the season has worn on. Moving into the midfield after the mid-season bye, the 26-year-old has excelled, averaging 22 disposals and 10 tackles the past five weeks.
