It was only Round 2 of the season when Carlton and Melbourne last went to battle, with the Demons claiming a 22-point win in a fiery contest at the MCG.

Fast forward 14 weeks and the two sides are set to go to battle again at the same 3:20pm timeslot, for their 102nd encounter at the MCG.

Since the last meeting, the red and blue charges have claimed victory on six occasions to see them sit in sixth place on the AFL ladder with eight wins and six losses, 10 spots above the Blues in 16th position with five wins and nine losses.  

In Round 2, Carlton captain Marc Murphy was the Blues’ highest ball winner with 31 disposals, but it was Melbourne’s Clayton Oliver who racked up the most for the day with 35 touches, including a team-high 16 contested possessions.

With a season average of 29.9 disposals for the Blues’ skipper and 29.7 for Oliver, the two midfielders have proven to be vital contributors for their respective sides week in, week out. 

When the teams meet for the second time for 2017, the navy blue squad will hope history is adhered to, given that Melbourne has not won consecutive games against Carlton since 2007. 

But after a 35-point loss to Sydney at the venue last week, Simon Goodwin’s men are set to be hungry to return to the winners' list, having won four matches in a row prior to Round 15. 

Ahead of the match, the Melbourne coach was adamant his team would look to redeem itself after succumbing to defeat at the hands of the Swans. 

“We certainly didn't play the way that we would've like to have played (against Sydney),” Goodwin said.

“Sunday is an important day for our footy club, to take a big step forward and start playing the way that we want to play again.

“As a club we've been challenged to respond after last week and I'm looking forward to seeing it.” 

Melbourne has been boosted by the return of key forward Jesse Hogan, who will lace-up his boots for the first time in eight weeks following surgery for testicular cancer.

Hogan, alongside former Blue Jeff Garlett, will be welcomed inclusions to the Demons’ line-up which has been struck with injuries to many of its key players including co-captains Nathan Jones and Jack Viney, Dom Tyson, Christian Salem and Jack Watts.

Despite the absence of several star midfielders on Sunday, Melbourne, which is ranked fourth in the competition’s clearance count, will still pose a significant test for Carlton, which is ranked last in this category. 

Speaking on the eve of the clash, Carlton coach Brendon Bolton suggested it would be “dangerous” to buy into the idea of an exposable Melbourne midfield, with his side set to focus on brining its own “style of footy”.  

“They’ve (Demons) got good depth,” Bolton told the media on Saturday.

“Any player out helps, but that’s dangerous thinking because Melbourne play a strong system in and around the contest.

 “We need to be ready to play aggressive footy.” 

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The Blues will head in to this week’s match with confidence after challenging premiership hopeful Adelaide last week, though they’ll be without rising star nominee Caleb Marchbank, who suffered a hairline fracture to his right shoulder during that match.

The defender will be replaced by youngster Harrison Macreadie, while Samo Petrevski-Seton and Jed Lamb will also make their return in place of omitted pair Nick Graham and Liam Sumner. 

Carlton and Melbourne will go head-to-head from 3:20pm on Sunday at the MCG. Click here to purchase your tickets.