Blues' finals ambitions are on life support and the Giants are out to pull the plug
GREATER Western Sydney hosts Carlton at Spotless Stadium fresh from a history-making victory over the Brisbane Lions. It was GWS' first win on the road and featured its highest score and biggest winning margin. On Sunday the Giants will try to notch back-to-back triumphs when they take on a Blues side that is all but out of finals contention. Carlton's season is on life support following two brave but ultimately fruitless matches against Geelong and Hawthorn over the past two weeks. Victory over GWS would still leave the Blues at least two wins and considerable percentage outside the top eight with nine games left.
WHERE AND WHEN: Spotless Stadium, Sunday, June 22, 1.10pm AEST
R10, 2013, Carlton 22.16 (148) d GWS 8.6 (54) at Etihad Stadium
R6, 2012, Carlton 15.20 (110) d GWS 6.7 (43) at Etihad Stadium
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THE SIX POINTS
1. These sides have met just twice before and never outside Melbourne. Carlton has a terrible record in Sydney, losing 12 of 13 clashes with the Swans dating back to 1994.
2. The Giants come into the game on the back of a 45-point win over the Lions, just the sixth victory in their short history.
3. GWS' defence has improved dramatically in recent weeks. Between rounds 5-10 it averaged 149 points against in five defeats. Since then, it's conceding just 85 points and has a 1-2 record.
3. Andrew Walker starred the last time the sides met, picking up 34 touches in the Blues' 94-point thrashing of the Giants.
4. Carlton is the AFL's free kick specialist this year, receiving a League-best 219. The Giants are equal-eighth with 196.
5. GWS is the top-ranked clearance side in 2014 with a total of 508. The Blues are sixth with 471.
6. Callan Ward is GWS' leader in this year's Official AFL Player Ratings, coming in at No.31 overall. Marc Murphy paces the Blues at No.35.
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