Carlton v Adelaide at Telstra Dome, Saturday, 2.10pm (AEST)
This week’s team:
B: Andrew Walker, Bret Thornton, Jason Saddington
HB: Heath Scotland, Jarrad Waite, Ryan Houlihan
C: Bryce Gibbs, Luke Blackwell, Marc Murphy
HF: Kade Simpson, Josh Kennedy, Brad Fisher
F: Lance Whitnall, Brendan Fevola, Matthew Lappin
R: Setanta O’hAilpin, Anthony Koutoufides, Andrew Carrazzo
I: Cain Ackland, Joe Anderson, Adam Bentick, Adam Hartlett
Emerg: Jordan Bannister, Paul Bower, Ross Young
In: Joe Anderson, Adam Hartlett (senior debut), Josh Kennedy
Out: Eddie Betts (hamstring), Jordan Russell, Ross Young
When last we met: Carlton v Adelaide at AAMI Stadium, round nine, 2006: Adelaide 18.16 (124) to Carlton 9.6 (60).
Comments: Eleven minutes into the first quarter the game was over for Carlton after the Crows booted five unanswered goals. The Blues managed to fight their way back to within 21 points, but failure to convert forward-50 opportunities meant they were unable to overhaul the Crows, inspired by a frustrating defeat to Richmond a week earlier.
Matthew Lappin (three goals) and Heath Scotland (33 disposals) were best on ground for Carlton, while Andrew McLeod (34 disposals), Simon Goodwin (32 disposals, one goal) and Nathan Bassett (29 disposals, 11 marks) were best a field for Adelaide.
Carlton win percentage: against Adelaide 60.87 per cent; at Telstra Dome 25 per cent; against Adelaide at Telstra Dome, 0.00 per cent (The two teams have never met at Telstra Dome)
Comments: Carlton has won 14 of the 23 games played between the two clubs. However, recent head-to-head form is not positive for the Blues. Carlton has lost four out of its past five games against Adelaide.
Average disposals: Carlton: Heath Scotland (27), Ryan Houlihan (23), Andrew Carrazzo (21)Adelaide: Andrew McLeod (25), Chris Knights (24), Scott Thompson (23)
Goals: Carlton: Brendan Fevola (30), Eddie Betts (11), Brad Fisher (11)Adelaide: Scott Welsh (19), Ian Perrie (13), Nathan Bock (13)
Tackles: Carlton: Carlton: Adam Bentick (46), Andrew Carrazzo (38)Adelaide: Scott Thompson (37), Tyson Edwards (32)
From the coaches: “We have been learning the same lesson each week, we just cannot afford to take the brakes off and play well here and there. We need to maintain our self-belief and maintain the pressure throughout the whole of the game. At the start of the year we all decided that we were going to take the shackles off a bit and play a free-flowing style of game. On Saturday we have to make sure we not only play attacking football, but also restrict and put pressure on Adelaide’s defenders and midfielders so we can help out our defence.” – Carlton assistant coach Gavin Crosisca
Last five games: Carlton: Loss (WC), Loss (Bris), Loss-(StK), Loss (Coll), Loss-(Kang)Adelaide: Win (Syd), Loss (Fre), Loss (Coll), Win (Bris), Win (Rich)
Comments: Carlton’s NAB Pre-Season Cup victory and inspirational come from behind win against Essendon in round three is a distant memory. The Blues enter their round nine clash against Adelaide on a five-game losing streak. Last week, the Blues failed to match the intensity and pressure of the Kangaroos and paid the price. This week, Carlton’s rebound from defence and forward 50 defensive pressure must improve if they are to quell the class of Adelaide’s experienced players who will be trying their best to dominate at the stoppages.
Adelaide heads into Saturday’s match full of confidence after consecutive victories against Richmond and Brisbane. Experienced running players Andrew McLeod and Tyson Edwards are also in form and will be looking to dominate the midfield early. Ben Rutten versus Brendan Fevola will be an exciting contest as will the possible battle between youngsters Marc Murphy and Chris Knights in the midfield.
The big question: Will the Blues be able to penetrate the robust Adelaide defence?
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
