B: Ryan Houlihan, Bret Thornton, Jason Saddington
HB: Heath Scotland,Jarrad Waite, Jordan Bannister
C: Jordan Russell, Adam Bentick, Bryce Gibbs
HF: Simon Wiggins, Brendan Fevola, Matthew Lappin
F: Cain Ackland, Kade Simpson, Andrew Carrazzo
FOLL: Eddie Betts, Adam Hartlett, Setanta O’hAilpin
I/C: Eddie Betts, Adam Hartlett, Setanta O’hAilpin, RossYoung
EMG: Luke Blackwell, Paul Bower, Josh Kennedy
In: Betts, Hartlett, Young
Out: Blackwell, Andrew Walker, Lance Whitnall
When last we met:Fremantle15.17 (107) d Carlton13.11 (89) at Telstra Dome, round 17, 2006
The Blues kicked eight of the last 11 majors for the match,which would have been a match-winning performance had they not given theDockers a 45-point lead heading into the final quarter. The loss was typical ofCarlton’s 2006pattern of leaving it until the last quarter to challenge its opponent.
Heath Scotland(31 disposals), Anthony Koutoufides (23 possessions, two goals) and BrendanFevola (five goals) were best afield for the Blues while Michael Johnson (21disposals), Ryan Murphy (five goals) and Peter Bell (20 possessions) were beston ground for Fremantle.
Carlton win percentage: against Fremantle, 44.44per cent; at Subiaco Oval, 33.33 per cent; against Fremantle at Subiaco Oval, 30per cent.
The Blues are on an eight-game losing streak against theDockers. 2002 was the last time they tasted victory in Perth.
Top ball-winners(average disposals):
Carlton: Heath Scotland (24), Andrew Carrazzo (23),Ryan Houlihan (22).
Fremantle: PaulHasleby (24), Peter Bell (23), Heath Black (22)
Top goalkickers:
Carlton: Brendan Fevola (38), Brad Fisher (21),Lance Whitnall & Jarrad Waite (15)
Fremantle: MatthewPavlich (37), Chris Tarrant (24), Des Headland (15)
Top tacklers:
Carlton: Adam Bentick (78), Andrew Carrazzo (64)
Fremantle: MatthewPavlich (37), Chris Tarrant (24)
From the coach’s box:
“Respect is hard earned but easilylost,” assistant coach Brett Rattensays. “We let ourselves and our supporters down against Hawthorn, so thisweekend our focus will be on getting some of that respect back.
“The boys have worked pretty hardover the break and we just want to make sure that when we come up against theDockers we give it everything and get a win on the board.”
Last five games:
Carlton: Loss-(Kang); Loss-(Adelaide); Win-(Bulldogs); Win-(Port);Loss-(Haw)
Fremantle: Loss-(Geel);Win-(St.K); Loss-(Coll); Win-(Rich); Loss-(WB)
Carlton’srecent win/loss record against the Dockers, along with their record at Subiaco,is less than impressive. But the Blues have pride on the line as they look toremedy round 12’s 100-point loss to Hawthorn.
And although Dockers fans are in no mood for anything lessthan success, Carltonmay be suited by Fremantle’s home ground. If the midfield can get on top earlyand the forwards capitalise on their opportunities, they may be in with a goodchance of derailing the Docker train.
The first 10 minutes in a game is always important, and thisweek it will indicate the intentions each team has for the rest of the season.
The big question:Will the bigger-bodied Fremantle side be too strong for the vastly improved andattacking Blues outfit?
The views in this story are those of the author and notnecessarily those of the club.
