CARLTON v COLLINGWOOD
Saturday, 2.10pm AEST, MCG
CARLTON TEAM
B: Jordan Russell, Bret Thornton, Michael Jamison
HB: Ryan Jackson, Paul Bower, Heath Scotland
C: Andrew Carrazzo, Kade Simpson, Shaun Grigg
HF: Ryan Houlihan, Jarrad Waite, Bryce Gibbs
F: Marc Murphy, Brendan Fevola, Brad Fisher
FOLL: Cain Ackland , Adam Bentick, Eddie Betts
I/C: Jordan Bannister, Luke Blackwell, Setanta O’hAilpin, Jason Saddington
EMG: Mark Austin, Dylan McLaren, Ross Young
In: Bentick, Grigg, Jamison
Out: Lappin (hamstring), Wiggins (hamstring), Koutoufides (retired)
New: Michael Jamison (Newlyn/North Ballarat)
When last we met: Carlton v Collingwood at the MCG, round seven, 2007: Collingwood 17.17 (119) def Carlton 14.11 (95)
More than 77,000 fans flocked to the MCG to watch an entertaining contest between the sworn rivals. Blues supporters were eagerly anticipating Setanta O'hAilpin’s foray into the ruck and hoped Lance Whitnall would be able to contain Anthony Rocca.
However, the real interest came at the end of the first quarter when Brendan Fevola charged at Alan Didak after the siren, the incident sparked by Dale Thomas's late hit on Marc Murphy a few minutes earlier. “Fev” eventually emerged from the pack with blood streaming down his face. Fired up, Carlton, unlike the Pies, made the most of their second-quarter opportunities and went into the long break 19 points ahead.
A less wasteful Collingwood side appeared after half time and wiped out the deficit in just seven minutes. As a result, just one point separated the two sides heading into the final stanza. But the Pies continued their second-half rampage, slamming through six goals to Carlton's two in the fourth to claim the contest by 24 points.
Best afield for Carlton were Andrew Carrazzo (34 disposals), Heath Scotland (33 touches, eight marks) and Brendan Fevola (four goals).
For the Pies, Scott Pendlebury (24 disposals, five tackles), Brett Kirk (24 possessions, eight marks) and Alan Didak (four goals) were best.
Stats Centre
Carlton win percentage: against Collingwood, 52.14 per cent; at the MCG, 49.39 per cent; against Collingwood at the MCG, 61.22 per cent.
Ave. Disposals – Top Three:
Carlton: Andrew Carrazzo (25), Heath Scotland (24), Ryan Houlihan (20).
Collingwood: Dane Swan (23), Tarkyn Lockyer (23), Shane O’Bree (21)
Goals – Top Three:
Carlton: Brendan Fevola (49), Brad Fisher (30), Jarrad Waite (21)
Collingwood: Anthony Rocca (31), Travis Cloke (27), Leon Davis (24)
Tackles – Top Two:
Carlton: Adam Bentick (101), Andrew Carrazzo (76)
Collingwood: Scott Burns (72), Leon Davis (66)
Last Five Games
Carlton: Loss (Frem); Loss (Melb); Loss (Sydney); Loss (Bris); Loss (St Kilda)
Collingwood: Loss (Haw); Win (St Kilda); Loss (Geel); Win (Ess); Loss (Bris)
Comments: Carlton enters round 18 rejuvenated by a spirited performance against St Kilda last weekend. Collingwood will enter the clash at the MCG angry and desperate after last week’s awful performance against Brisbane.
Gaps in defence and the ruck appear to be Brett Ratten’s biggest tactical hurdle this week. Anthony Rocca’s recent poor form may help the situation, although, his partner in crime, Travis Cloke, may not.
One definite positive for the Blues is their four-quarter effort against the Saints last weekend, an aspect of their game that has been unseen for the majority of the season.
The Blues’ intensity and hardness at the ball against the Saints will need to be repeated against Collingwood, a side hungry to impress its coach and maintain its chase for a top-four spot on the AFL ladder.
The big question: Can the Blues maintain the intensity and fight they showed last week?
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
