THEY WERE bracing themselves to meet on Saturday at the MCG, but it’ll be a return to prime time football for Carlton and St Kilda tomorrow night.
The two in-form sides will do battle in a crunch clash at Marvel Stadium, with the game having shifted time slots due to the changes to the fixture.
Both sides will be desperate to get out there in front of the football world and continue their winning form, which has seen them each record two wins from three games since the competition restart.
Their most recent wins came at the expense of traditional Melbourne clubs last Saturday, with the Saints accounting for the reigning premiers just hours before the Blues defeated the Bombers by a solitary point.
Similar to last week’s clash with Essendon, Carlton will be preparing for a clash of styles with St Kilda, whose high-possession game has been a hallmark of their 2020 campaign so far.
While the Saints have utilised their run and carry to good effect in the opening four rounds (ranked fifth in the competition for handballs), the Blues will be looking to exploit the opportunities presented going forward.
Carlton is ranked second in the competition for marks inside 50, with St Kilda ranked 13th in the competition for inside 50 differential.
Two players who will be looking to continue their outstanding form against the respective opposition will be Patrick Cripps and Jack Billings, who will meet in the middle of Marvel Stadium.
?? | Here's how 'The Last Dance' inspired Saturday night's win.
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) June 30, 2020
... Nah, just kidding: here's Teaguey's press conference from earlier today. #OwnTheFuture
Carlton’s co-captain burst onto the scene against St Kilda in 2015 and hasn’t looked back since, averaged just shy of 30 disposals and eight clearances against the Saints.
Then, there’s the case of Billings, who marked his 50th career game with 30 disposals and five goals against the Blues in 2017.
One player whose recent form will be crucial tomorrow night is Michael Gibbons: the star of this week’s Fantasy Watch.
Gibbons is a certainty to rise in price in the coming weeks, with a breakeven score of -11. Listed as a forward, Gibbons has averaged over 83 points since the competition restart.
