- Banned
- #1
Where and when: Docklands, Friday, May 29, 7.40pm
Head to head: Carlton 16 wins, West Coast 16 wins
Last time: Carlton 17.9 (111) d West Coast 10.14 (74), round 7, 2008 at Subiaco
MISSING IN ACTION
Carlton
Adam Bentick (knee) – 1 week
Andrew Carrazzo (finger) – 2 weeks
Lachie Hill (hamstring) – test
Sam Jacobs (foot) – 4 weeks
Chris Johnson (thigh) – test
Darren Pfeiffer (shoulder) – 6 weeks
Jarrad Waite (knee) – season
Andrew Walker (shoulder) – 8 weeks
Robert Warnock (foot) – 6 weeks
Simon Wiggins (hamstring) – 2-3 weeks
West Coast
Beau Waters (elbow) – season
Brent Staker (hand) – 3 weeks
Luke Shuey (groin) – available
FORM
Carlton: WLLWL
West Coast: LLWLL
SUMMARY
Two wins to start a season of promise for Carlton seem a long time ago now with the Blues winning just two of their past seven to sit ninth on the AFL ladder. Concerns for the direction of Carlton's season were only amplified after a goalless first half led to a heavy loss to the Crows in Adelaide last week.
After impressive wins against Port Adelaide and the Bulldogs in the first month of the season, the Eagles' form line has dropped away dramatically. They've won just one of their last five and that was a narrow eight-point win against cellar-dweller Melbourne. There were some worrying signs in last week's loss against Collingwood on their home patch.
The Blues are sagging under the weight of a hefty injury list, with the most significant casualty Jarrad Waite. The classy utility will miss the rest of the year after undergoing a knee reconstruction following a partial ACL tear.
The Eagles are flying by comparison, with their injury list to shorten by one this week with youngster Luke Shuey ready to resume.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Brad Fisher (Carlton): The forgotten forward has surely got to get a game after encouraging VFL form of late coupled with the departure of Waite. Brendan Fevola has been in the doldrums and appears in dire need of another tall target to take the pressure off. Fisher has been almost a permanent fixture in the side since 2003, but is yet to play a game in this campaign.
Daniel Kerr (West Coast): The Eagles' playmaker could be forgiven for casting a wistful look over at Blues' skipper Chris Judd on Friday, because he's found the going tough since his former teammate's departure. His trademark cleanliness of disposal deserted him last week, leading to questions over a possible injury concern.
QUESTION MARKS
External pressure is growing on the Blues. Can Brett Ratten's young list put that aside and still perform when it counts?
Can the Eagles recapture the spark and hard edge that usually accompany John Worsfold's teams?
Will Fev find his way back to the goal front?
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY?
Carlton simply must win, because the alternative will have dire implications for their 2009 campaign. Fair to say the season hasn’t played out as planned so far, but a loss to a struggling interstate side at home in front of a national television audience on Friday night would be a hit from which the young Blues might not recover.
Despite their overall inexperience, Brett Ratten's team has more class through the middle and up forward and will put a tough month behind them with a win over a side that is in a transitional phase.
PREDICTION
Carlton by 25 points
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
http://www.afl.com.au/Results/tabid...play=1&seasonid=71&roundid=714&fixtureid=5106
Head to head: Carlton 16 wins, West Coast 16 wins
Last time: Carlton 17.9 (111) d West Coast 10.14 (74), round 7, 2008 at Subiaco
MISSING IN ACTION
Carlton
Adam Bentick (knee) – 1 week
Andrew Carrazzo (finger) – 2 weeks
Lachie Hill (hamstring) – test
Sam Jacobs (foot) – 4 weeks
Chris Johnson (thigh) – test
Darren Pfeiffer (shoulder) – 6 weeks
Jarrad Waite (knee) – season
Andrew Walker (shoulder) – 8 weeks
Robert Warnock (foot) – 6 weeks
Simon Wiggins (hamstring) – 2-3 weeks
West Coast
Beau Waters (elbow) – season
Brent Staker (hand) – 3 weeks
Luke Shuey (groin) – available
FORM
Carlton: WLLWL
West Coast: LLWLL
SUMMARY
Two wins to start a season of promise for Carlton seem a long time ago now with the Blues winning just two of their past seven to sit ninth on the AFL ladder. Concerns for the direction of Carlton's season were only amplified after a goalless first half led to a heavy loss to the Crows in Adelaide last week.
After impressive wins against Port Adelaide and the Bulldogs in the first month of the season, the Eagles' form line has dropped away dramatically. They've won just one of their last five and that was a narrow eight-point win against cellar-dweller Melbourne. There were some worrying signs in last week's loss against Collingwood on their home patch.
The Blues are sagging under the weight of a hefty injury list, with the most significant casualty Jarrad Waite. The classy utility will miss the rest of the year after undergoing a knee reconstruction following a partial ACL tear.
The Eagles are flying by comparison, with their injury list to shorten by one this week with youngster Luke Shuey ready to resume.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Brad Fisher (Carlton): The forgotten forward has surely got to get a game after encouraging VFL form of late coupled with the departure of Waite. Brendan Fevola has been in the doldrums and appears in dire need of another tall target to take the pressure off. Fisher has been almost a permanent fixture in the side since 2003, but is yet to play a game in this campaign.
Daniel Kerr (West Coast): The Eagles' playmaker could be forgiven for casting a wistful look over at Blues' skipper Chris Judd on Friday, because he's found the going tough since his former teammate's departure. His trademark cleanliness of disposal deserted him last week, leading to questions over a possible injury concern.
QUESTION MARKS
External pressure is growing on the Blues. Can Brett Ratten's young list put that aside and still perform when it counts?
Can the Eagles recapture the spark and hard edge that usually accompany John Worsfold's teams?
Will Fev find his way back to the goal front?
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY?
Carlton simply must win, because the alternative will have dire implications for their 2009 campaign. Fair to say the season hasn’t played out as planned so far, but a loss to a struggling interstate side at home in front of a national television audience on Friday night would be a hit from which the young Blues might not recover.
Despite their overall inexperience, Brett Ratten's team has more class through the middle and up forward and will put a tough month behind them with a win over a side that is in a transitional phase.
PREDICTION
Carlton by 25 points
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
http://www.afl.com.au/Results/tabid...play=1&seasonid=71&roundid=714&fixtureid=5106
