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Head to Head:
- Since 1997 - Port 13, Carlton 9, Draws 1
- Last 5 games - Carlton 4, Port 1
- At Etihad Stadium - Carlton 2, Port 1
- Last time we met: Round 10, 2012 - Port Adelaide 14.15.99 d Carlton 6.9.45
- 2013 Record: Carlton LLLWWWL, Port WWWWWLL
- Carltons win % of 41% v Port Adelaide is the lowest it has against any AFL/VFL side.
- Carlton performs better away (42%) against Port Adelaide than at home (37%)
- Carltons home games against Port Adelaide were played at Princes Park until the end of 2005.
- The following 2013 top 22 players were missing from the Round 10, 2012 match: Lachlan Henderson (CHB), Jarrad Waite (FF), Marc Murphy (mid), Andrew Carazzo (mid), Matthew Kreuzer (ruck), Heath Scotland (defender). It was the most players missing from a Carlton side all year aside from Round 17 v the Bulldogs.
Match Overview
Carlton will enter this game after a very poor match against St Kilda on Monday Night at Etihad with a number of injury concerns over several players, and continuing doubt over the playing of 3 ruckmen, as well as the likely suspension of Eddie Betts. Carlton will regain Jarrad Waite from suspension, and likely Bryce Gibbs from injury, but may be missing other key players.
Port Adelaide have started the season strongly but lost their winning ways over the past fornight, including losing to Richmond at home despite being hot favorites.
Key Matchups - Notwithstanding the St Kilda result -
stats not updated for st kilda game yet.
- Backline - Jamison and Henderson are in some of the best form of their playing lives, and ably backed up this season by Touhy, White and the ever watchful Scotland. Last, but definitely not least, is Andrew Walker who is in scintillating form, plays tall, and fast. They will trouble Ports forwards, and I expect them to be more than capable of handling anything Ports offensive lineup can dish up.
- Defensive scoring against - Carlton 550 (3rd), Port Adelaide 593 (7th)
- Rebound 50s - Port 245 (11th), Carlton 242 (13th)
- Midfield - Murphy has begun to find his feet as Captain, and will be more than happy to see Bryce Gibbs back in the side, alongside a fleet of quick runners in Armfield, Simpson, as well as the Kamikaze kid in Robinson. These are more than ably assisted by the even faster run provided by Betts, Garlett and Yarran as they stream forward.Ports runners have excelled at tackling and contested possession, and on raw stats are a better clearance side. This could prove dangerous for the Blues as Carltons mids are not known for their defensive capacities.
- Contested possessions: Port 956 (12th), Carlton 922 (13th)
- Clearances: Port 247 (9th), Carlton 219 (16th)
- Disposal efficency: Port 71.4% (7th), Carlton 70.9% (8th)
- 1%ers: Carlton 287 (10th), Port 278 (12th)
- Tackles: Port 429 (7th), Carlton 372 (13th)
- Forwards - Carlton possesses one thing in spades that no team this season has really had an answer for, a stable of lightning fast, and highly skilled small forwards eagerly awaiting the inevitable crumbs that fall their way from big Hampson. With the ever dangerous judd and murphy always lurking, any ball that hits the ground in the forward 50 is a likely goal. Waite adds marking power to the forward line, and if Hampson remains in decent touch, then even the Blues much maligned forward line will be a handful for Ports defenders. If Hampson fails to impress or the three ruckmen simply dont gel properly, Levi Casboult waits in the wings, having gotten into some good touch for the Blues VFL partner
- Points scored: 729 (7th), Carlton 629 (11th)
- Marks inside 50: Port 92 (4th), Carlton 70 (12th)
- Goals: Port 105 (7th), Carlton 91 (11th)
- Goal Accuracy: Port 50.5% (9th), Carlton 49.7% (13th)
- Rucks - say what you like about the Blues, they arent short in this area. Depending on the saints game, it would seem a possibility that the Blues will try to play Warnock and Kreuzer in the ruck/on ball roles, with Hampson staying deep forward, but still a more than capable ruckman in his own right. Warnock is presently in a rich vein of form and will spell trouble for Ports big men.
- Hitouts - Carlton 238 (11th), Port 232 (14th)
Statistics lean Ports way, but its worth pointing out that until last week they'd played very few teams in the top 10 sides. Port faced a hapless Melbourne in R1, the fledgeling GWS in R2, a 2013 underperforming Adelaide in R3, Gold Coast in R4, and an underwhelming West Coast (that admittedly put on a good match). Not Ports fault you can only play who are rostered to, and at the end of last year, Adelaide and West Coast would and should have been tough matches.
Carltons first three rounds were something of a contrast, narrowly losing to Ridhmond, Collingwood and Geelong in succession without being disgraced. The next three matches against Adelaide, West Coast and Melbourne were all wins (as Port fans will note).
For Carlton, the Blues gameplan appeared to be beginning to come together until the Saints game. A solid backline is gaining traction and theres speed EVERYWHERE and enough top grade ruckmen to gladden the eye of a man who endured a perennial shortage of them at Collingwood. Injuries and suspensions arising from Mondays game will have altered the perception somewhat.
The match looms as a close one, with both sides keen to get back into the winners circle. The Blues to win a close one, in a good match as Port strive not to lose three in a row. Carlton by 21 points.
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