SUMMARY
Both sides will be desperate to register a win this week to avoid starting the season 0-2. The Eagles' defensive stocks have taken another blow with Mitch Brown (knee) joining Eric Mackenzie on the sidelines for the remainder of the season. Will Schofield will need to step up and the Eagles will need to reshuffle players into makeshift roles. Carlton has lost Dale Thomas for at least six weeks with a shoulder injury. Both sides lost the midfield battle last week and had low inside 50 entries. The team that gets on top in that area should take control of the match.
WHERE AND WHEN: Domain Stadium, Friday, April 10, 6.10pm AWST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R6, 2014, Carlton 14.8 (92) d West Coast 12.17 (89) at Etihad Stadium
R4, 2013, Carlton 12.17 (89) d West Coast 7.23 (65) at Subiaco Oval
R12, 2012, West Coast 10.19 (79) d Carlton 10.9 (69) at Subiaco Oval
1SF, 2011, West Coast 15.11 (101) d Carlton 15.8 (98) at Subiaco Oval
R14, 2011, West Coast 15.13 (103) d Carlton 10.7 (67) at Etihad Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. In round six last season the Eagles led by 24 points 14 minutes into the last quarter against the Blues only to concede the last five goals of the match to lose by three points.
2. West Coast was the only team in round one to have more handballs than kicks, 192-188. Carlton's game plan was very different. The Blues had 192 kicks to 129 handballs in the opening round.
3. West Coast struggled to get the ball inside 50 in round one, with only 41 entries compared to the Western Bulldogs 58. Carlton was also well beaten, 46-54.
4. West Coast and Carlton meet for the 23rd time at Domain Stadium, where the Eagles lead the head to head 13-9. But Carlton has won three of the last five.
5. Carlton hasn’t won a premiership season game since round 20, 2014 and since round 11 last season has won only three of 14 games.
6. Carlton has two defenders in the top 100 on the Official AFL Player Ratings list. Kade Simpson (66) and Chris Yarran (88) are both ranked higher than the Eagles' highest ranked backman, Shannon Hurn (112).
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
Will Schofield. The Eagles have lost their best two key defenders to knee reconstructions and the depth of their defensive stocks will be severely tested. Much responsibility will fall on Will Schofield's shoulders. He missed most of the pre-season with an ankle injury but he returned via the WAFL last week and is ready to step up.
PREDICTION: West Coast by two points
