CARLTON will undergo its final dress rehearsal prior to the AFL season proper.
The Blues will host the Brisbane Lions from 6:40pm on Sunday night, taking close to a full-strength side into the Marsh Community Series clash.
It will be the final chance for a number of Blues to stake their claim for a spot in the season opener against Richmond.
Game in focus:
In what will be Carlton’s last practice match, there’s plenty to keep an eye on.
The Blues were disappointed with their showing in Mandurah last week, with assistant coach Cameron Bruce lamenting the side’s execution and transition.
Over the course of pre-season, David Teague, Patrick Cripps and Sam Docherty have all mentioned the improved depth at Ikon Park.
With Sunday’s game marking a contest against a team which took a significant leap in 2019, expect Carlton’s players to have a point to prove.
There have been some significant additions all over the park this week, with Mitch McGovern and Caleb Marchbank to provide a boost at either end of the ground.
While it is the last pre-season game of 2020, there’s still a lot to play for. Who puts their hand up for a Round 1 starting berth remains to be seen.
What to watch:
Betts, Murphy, Simpson.
While there was plenty of news to come out of Thursday’s squad announcement, the inclusion of the three veterans will be something special.
The trio formed a special bond at the beginning of last decade when their careers at Carlton were being solidified.
Now, back at the old home, it’s going to be seven years in the making when they all run out as teammates once again.
Of course, Betts and Simpson are the last two AFL Blues to feature in a home-and-away game at Ikon Park. Their teammate on the day just happened to now Senior Coach, David Teague.
Just like they did 15 years ago in the last AFL match for premiership points at the ground, these two will run out together in Navy Blue on Ikon Park this Sunday. ?#BoundByBlue
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) March 5, 2020
Blue view:
There’s something special about AFL games at Ikon Park.
It has become a consistent theme in the last four years that the Blues host an AFL pre-season clash on Royal Parade.
With a public holiday the next day and the AFLW Carlton Respects Game the day prior, it really is a big weekend to be a Blue at the spiritual home.
