Details: Marvel Stadium, Saturday 7 August, 1:45pm (AEST)
Broadcast: FOX Footy, AFL app, Kayo, Triple M, 3AW, SEN 1116, ABC radio
The game in focus:
After an impressive win against the Saints last weekend, the Blues will be looking to make it two in a row when they come up against the Suns on Saturday afternoon.
Returning to familiar turf in Marvel Stadium, Carlton will look to emulate their high-scoring, fast-moving performance that they displayed at Marvel just a week ago.
The Suns have suffered three losses in a row, and will definitely be looking to end their season on a positive note when they come up against the Blues.
Carlton and Gold Coast play similar styles of football, so it is sure to be an interesting contest between the two sides, both hungry for a win and with something to prove.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
00:46
Injury Update | Round 21
Director of High Performance, Andrew Russell, provides an update on Carlton's AFL injury list prior to Round 21.
AFL
injury -
Last time we met:
The Blues and the Suns have already met once this season, on a humid Saturday night at Metricon Stadium in Round 4.
Carlton took home an 11-point win, challenged by Gold Coast on numerous occasions but able to keep the lead for most of the game.
The Blues main source of scoring came from forward chains, able to pin the ball in their half, resulting in two goals each from Harry McKay and Marc Murphy.
Ed Curnow was a ball magnet around the contest while Carlton’s half-back line worked hard to push the ball forward, using speed and class to outplay the Gold Coast forwards.
Liam Jones, Jacob Weitering, Adam Saad and Sam Petrevski-Seton had a whopping total of 45 intercepts between them, able to cut the ball off when the Suns moved the ball into their half.
Blue focus:
Touk Miller could prove a challenge for the Blues, with the crafty midfielder being one of the Sun’s most impressive players in the 2021 season.
Alongside defender Jack Lukosius, Miller is one of the better ball winners in the middle, able to get his hands on the ball and create forward opportunities.
It will be up to the likes of Matt Kennedy, Sam Walsh and Paddy Dow to provide some speed and aggressive to halt Miller in his tracks.
Ben King has been making his goal-kicking prowess known this season, having kicked 43 goals so far in 2021: 14 goals behind McKay in the Coleman Medal count.
With Carlton’s defence putting the pressure on twin brother Max King last weekend after his impressive first quarter, it will be another challenge for Jones and Weitering to keep another King under wraps.
Get excited about:
Eddie Betts will return to the line-up this weekend, after missing last weekend with an ankle injury.
With the Carlton veteran nearing his 350th game, Betts will provide his trademark speed, class and dynamic play to the forward half.
Alongside the returning Charlie Curnow and the Coleman Medal leader in McKay, it's shaping up to be one exciting forward line.
Given he came back home in 2020 and missed last week's game, it's a significant game for two of the most watchable players in Navy Blue: Saturday will mark the first time Betts and the youngest Curnow brother play on the same side.
Blue view:
It is Carlton Respects Round this week, where Carlton players will pull their socks up and raise awareness for gender equality for the prevention of violence against women.
An important cause for the Club as a whole, a touch of orange will be brought to the stadium in more ways than one, highlighting the ongoing efforts of the Club to support this movement.
Marking the sixth annual AFL Carlton Respects game, Bluebaggers will be able to support from the comfort of their homes, donning their orange and supporting their Club in their endeavour.
You may have heard about @YiaYiaNextDoor, seen them on TV and even followed their journey over the years.
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) August 4, 2021
But, if you've never heard the story of founders and Carlton Respects ambassadors Luke and Daniel - this is your chance. ??
