SUMMARY
After a stuttering start to the season Hawthorn is back to its premiership-winning best, having disposed of fellow contenders Fremantle and Sydney in successive rounds. Although Carlton has been more competitive since John Barker took over as interim coach, its record against the Hawks has been woeful in the past decade. The Blues have struggled to kick big scores all season and will find it tough against the powerful Hawks midfield and defence. At the other end the Hawks have the most potent attack in the AFL and will be too strong for the Blues' defence.
WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Friday, July 24, 7.50pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for the broadcast guide
PAST FIVE TIMES
R13, 2014, Hawthorn 18.10 (118) d Carlton 13.12 (90) at the MCG
R12, 2013, Hawthorn 15.12 (102) d Carlton 13.9 (87) at Etihad Stadium
R14, 2012, Hawthorn 18.12 (120) d Carlton 10.10 (70) at the MCG
R22, 2011, Hawthorn 10.18 (78) d Carlton 8.18 (66) at Etihad Stadium
R9, 2010, Hawthorn 16.14 (110) d Carlton 8.12 (60) at Etihad Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Bradley Hill and Brad Sewell combined for 50 disposals and a goal apiece in the Hawks' win over the Blues last season. Jarryd Roughead and Cyril Rioli kicked three goals each.
2. Hawthorn is the No.1-ranked team for average disposals, marks, marks inside 50, inside 50s and goals a game.
3. The Blues continue to do well at centre clearances, ranked equal fourth at an average of 13.3 a game. The Hawks are sixth, averaging 12.5.
4. These clubs have played at Etihad Stadium eight times. The Blues won the first two and the Hawks have been victorious in the past six.
5. Since round nine Hawthorn has won seven consecutive matches by an average margin of 51 points, kicking an average score of 116 points a game to its opposition's 65.
6. Hawthorn’s evenness is underlined by the fact it does not have a player in the top 10 of the Official AFL Player Ratings. The highest-ranked Hawk is Jarryd Roughead at No.18.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Marc Murphy. The Blues skipper celebrated his 28th birthday on Sunday and fronts up against the red-hot Hawks in his 200th game. The midfielder has not played in a winning team against Hawthorn and would love to break the drought on Friday night.
PREDICTION: Hawthorn by 48 points.
