SUMMARY: Mick Malthouse and his former protégé Mark Neeld, who spent four fruitful seasons together at Collingwood, will be pitted against each other as coaches for the first time. Their teams are also at opposite ends of their development, with Malthouse's Blues overcoming a 0-3 record to win their past two games against 2012 finalists West Coast and Adelaide. Neeld's Demons are simply trying to be competitive, and have been in their past two outings, albeit against Greater Western Sydney (in a come-from-behind win) and the struggling Brisbane Lions (a 28-point loss at the Gabba). This should be a percentage-booster for the improving Blues.

WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Sunday May 5, 3.15pm

TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide

LAST FIVE TIMES
R9, 2012, Carlton 15.17 (107) d Melbourne 6.13 (49) at the MCG
R20, 2011, Carlton 21.8 (134) d Melbourne 7.16 (58) at the MCG
R10, 2011, Carlton 13.15 (93) d Melbourne 6.10 (46) at the MCG
R11, 2010, Carlton 15.11 (101) d Melbourne 9.6 (60) at the MCG
R21, 2009, Carlton 24.9 (153) d Melbourne 15.6 (96) at Etihad Stadium

THE SIX POINTS
1. The Blues have won their past six games against the Demons by an average margin of 52 points.

2. Melbourne has struggled to score against Carlton, managing just six, seven, six and nine goals respectively in their past four encounters.

3. Nothing separates the clubs in head-to-heads at the MCG, with 48 wins apiece.

4. The last time Melbourne lost seven successive games to Carlton was from 1980-83.

5. Carlton has kicked 73 goals this season, 60 of which have come from players under 190cm.

6. Carlton is ranked fourth in AFL for contested possessions this season, while Melbourne is last.