Where and when: Gabba, Thursday, April 1, 7.40pm
Head to head: Brisbane 15, Carlton 22, no draws
Last time: Brisbane Lions 16.15 (111) d Carlton 15.14 (104), second elimination final, 2009 at the Gabba

MISSING IN ACTION
Brisbane Lions
Jed Adcock (ankle) - test
Callum Bartlett (knee) - 2 weeks
Amon Buchanan (thumb) - 4-6 weeks
Jamie Charman (ankle) - 5 weeks
Xavier Clarke (knee) - indefinite
Mitch Golby (knee) - 4 weeks
Bart McCulloch (quad) - 5 weeks
Bryce Retzlaff (shin) - 3 weeks
Sam Sheldon (back) - 2-3 weeks

Carlton
Mark Austin (groin) - 1 week
Brad Fisher (knee) - 9-10 weeks
Rhys O’Keeffe (hip) - 3-4 weeks

SUMMARY
All eyes will on Brendan Fevola as he lines up against his former side for the first time in a home-and-away clash. Fev featured in a NAB Challenge match against Carlton in the pre-season, but there will be an even greater focus on him this time, given it's the round opener on Thursday night. And if last year's second elimination final is any indicator, this should be an absolute cracker.

But remember that plenty of personnel have changed - Daniel Bradshaw won't be snapping one of the goals of the season in the dying stages to help secure a Lions victory, nor will Carlton skipper Chris Judd be the Blues' best.

Carlton's re-jigged forward structure showed it could kick goals without Fevola, scoring 18 majors in the 56-point win over Richmond, while the Jonathan Brown/Fevola combination showed it could well and truly work, with Brown managing five goals and Fevola kicking 3.7. Although his accuracy was an issue, Fevola's ability to have 10 scoring shots was critical in his side's 32-point win over the West Coast Eagles.

Both sides will enter with plenty of confidence, suggesting an entertaining clash is on the cards.

PLAYER TO WATCH
Jared Brennan was brilliant for the Lions in the opening round, notching up a career-best 31 disposals in a midfield role. He also laid seven tackles, had six clearances and produced a classy goal in the final term. Now in his eighth AFL season, the 25-year-old looks set to go to the next level in 2010.

Diminutive forward Eddie Betts was one of his side's most influential in last Thursday's win over Richmond, with three goals. But it was his work ethic and efforts inside 50 that was most impressive in finishing with a game-high 11 contested possessions.

QUESTION MARKS
The big question is: how will 'Fev' fare against his former side? Will he turn on a show or will the likes of Michael Jamison and Bret Thornton quell their former teammate?

Can the revamped forward structure featuring Betts, Setanta O'hAilpin and Chris Yarran again kick at least half of Carlton's goals? The trio combined for nine of 18 last week, withthree goals each. The Blues also had a good supply from their midfielders.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
This clash looms as a ripper to start the Easter round, even though the Fev sub-plot almost overshadows the match itself. The rivalry between the two has increased since the thrilling final last year and the trading of Fevola, but with a handful of personnel changing, the scene will be different to last September. Although Carlton showed it can manage a high score last round, the Lions will be much stiffer opposition than Richmond. And the fact Judd will again be missing makes it a greater challenge.

PREDICTION
Brisbane Lions by 17 points

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.