Thirteenth meets 9^th at Etihad Stadium at the traditional timeslot of 2.10pm this Saturday, with Carlton seeking to atone from the narrow loss to Fremantle far from home and the Suns angling for a top eighth berth and - by design - their first finals appearance.

Buoyed by their first win without Gary Ablett, Gold Coast has shared the load. That the team is second only to Hawthorn for clearances and fifth for centre clearances says much for the manner in which its players’ ferocious attack the agate, with Dion Prestia leading the way here.

Prestia has been racking up the numbers as the following stats so clearly reveal. Right now the boy from West Lalor ranks first for the Suns in uncontested possessions; second for their contested possessions, clearances and centered clearances; and sixth in the comp for total disposals.

David Swallow, who at the time of writing remains under an injury cloud and is listed as a test, is also experiencing a breakout season for Gold Coast. The former No.1 draftee sits second behind Prestia for uncontested possessions and third for clearances, centre clearances and total disposals at Sunsville.

Carlton may confront Golf Coast closer to home come Saturday . . . but the challenge is no less daunting.