WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Saturday 2 July, 2.10pm
HEAD TO HEAD: Richmond 84 wins, Carlton 119 wins, two draws
LAST TIME: Carlton 14.20 (104) d Richmond 13.6 (84), round 1, 2011 at the MCG
TV, RADIO AND BETTING: Click here for broadcast guide and odds
A full replay will be available on afl.com.au 12 hours after the completion of the match
FORM: Richmond: LBLWL Carlton: WWWWL
SUMMARY
Both of these teams hit road-blocks last weekend. The Tigers were knocked over by a resurgent Melbourne before a big crowd at the MCG, while the Blues suffered a shock defeat at the hands of West Coast at Etihad Stadium.
Richmond made some terrible skill errors against the Demons, handing them numerous goals in the process. It all added up to a disappointing 27-point loss, which left the Tigers four points and plenty of percentage outside the top eight.
On the positive side, Jake King returns from suspension this weekend. His tough tackling in the forward line has been invaluable this year.
Carlton needs to get back on the winners' list if it is going to stay in the top four. The Blues lacked their usual intensity against the Eagles. Many of their best players were down on form, including Chris Judd, who was held to only 17 possessions.
Making matter worse for Brett Ratten, his best defender, Michael Jamison, had to be subbed out of the game after suffering a knee injury. He has since had surgery and will be sidelined for a month.
When Carlton and Richmond last met, in round one, the Blues raced out to an early lead before Jack Riewoldt dragged the Tigers back into the contest. Carlton eventually prevailed by 20 points, but the game will have given Damien Hardwick's men plenty of hope that they can turn things around this time.
QUESTION MARKS
What's wrong with Richmond star Jack Riewoldt? The 2010 Coleman medallist has been out of sorts in the past month, and last weekend he kicked only one goal on Melbourne's All Australian defender James Frawley. Questioned about Riewoldt's fitness after the game, Hardwick said he was "just tired and sore like the other guys" and would "battle on".
How will Carlton cover the loss of Michael Jamison? The gun backman would most likely have lined up on Riewoldt, but that job is now expected to fall to Simon White, who is set to be recalled from the VFL.
PREDICTION
Carlton by 37 points.
TOYOTA AFL DREAM TEAM WATCH
Defender Jake Batchelor has enjoyed a great debut season for the Tigers. He price has gone up $127,000 to $219,500 thanks to his average of a touch over 56 points per game.
Chris Yarran's resurgence as a running defender (he is listed as a forward in the Dream Team game) has done wonders for his value. The silky-skilled Blue is averaging almost 75 points per game and his price has risen $44,300 to $294,000. He picked up 94 points against the Eagles last weekend.
Follow the game live in the AFL Match Centre on afl.com.au and join the conversation on Twitter using #afltigersblues
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL
