SYDNEY and Carton meet in the Marn Grook match at the SCG in a huge Friday night blockbuster between two of this year's premiership fancies.

Sydney (8-1) has won five matches in a row to be a game clear on top of the ladder and can now put distance between itself and the chasing pack with a win against the Blues.

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The Swans have been particularly impressive against other top-four contenders so far this season, with victories over the Giants, Collingwood and Melbourne, and another win over the seventh-placed Blues would certainly confirm their status as the benchmark of the competition.

Carlton (6-3) held off the fast-finishing Narrm last week in much the same way it withstood a late challenge from Sydney when they met in last year's elimination final.

That finals triumph was the Blues' first since 2013 but they will have to brush off a longer running hoodoo this week at the SCG, having only won twice in 18 matches at the venue stretching back to 1993.

The Swans have made just one change, recalling Braeden Campbell to replace Matt Roberts (managed).

Carlton has been forced into three changes with Adam Cerra (hamstring), Jack Martin (calf) and Matt Cottrell (foot) injured and Lachlan Cowan omitted, with Caleb Marchbank, Zac Williams, Jack Carroll and Orazio Fantasia back in.

Sydney v Carlton at the SCG, 7.40pm AEST
NO LATE CHANGES

SUBSTITUTES
Sydney: Braeden Campbell
Carlton: Jack Carroll