BLUES AWAY by Meggs

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This Round 5 clash against the Blues at Princes Park (officially known as Ikon Park) is a great chance for the Dees to bounce back to the winning circle following our top-of-the-table loss to Brisbane last week.  

 

Carlton will be missing several key players with the pundits calling 10 to nil.  Raging favouritism is never a comfortable thing for Melbourne supporters but we simply must deliver on Friday night.

 

History has seen these teams play four times since 2017 with the Dees winning three and the Blues one.

 

In the only match played at Princes Park, way back in 2018, the Dees won by 35 points.

 

Melbourne and Carlton played an AFLW curtain raiser practice match at the MCG prior to the AFL Men’s Round 22 game.  On that occasion the Dees kicked 6 first quarter goals, by winning the contested footy and moving skilfully across the ground to a dominant forward set up.

 

Daniel Harford and his Carlton brains trust will have taken some ‘learnings’ from this and it will be interesting to see what tactics he deploys on Friday night.

 

Mick Stinear said the team has some things to work on following their defeat at the hands of Brisbane last Sunday.  In particular, their work around the contest, delivering forward and the lack of effectiveness when in defence. Eliza McNamara was sorely missed with Sophie Conway running hot on her wing.

 

Happily, the return of Tayla Harris and Sinead Goldrick will strengthen this week’s team.  Georgia Campbell and ex-Blue Charlotte Wilson, the likely omissions.  There may be other changes.  

 

How long before we see goal-sneak Sabreena Duffy in the red and blue? Not long!

 

Unfortunately for Carlton, tall forward Phoebe McWilliams has been ruled out for the rest of the season, experienced forward Darcy Vescio is out this week with a fractured finger and defenders Velardo and Trudgeon will miss due to concussion protocols.  Unfortunately, ex Dee and midfielder Maddy Guerin is out for the season having injured her ACL in Round 3.

 

In Season 7, Carlton has had one win by a point over Essendon, drew against Port Adelaide and Fremantle and lost to Collingwood by 3 goals.  The Dees have gone 2:1 against heavyweight contenders Adelaide, North and Brisbane and comfortably defeated St Kilda.  

 

With Harris returning our offence will reset and be too strong for a weakened Carlton defensive unit.  Hopefully Bannan shines and others like Zanker can gain some confidence.  

 

It has been great seeing our Vice Captain, Hore, having such a great season in attack and around the ground.  We’d like to see her make more of her chances in front of goal.  

 

The midfield should be a great battle.  Carlton has a great ruck in Breann Moody who always challenges our own star, Lauren Pearce.  

 

Abbie Mackay, a father-daughter selection whose Dad is 1995 Carlton premiership player Andrew Mackay, is having a ripper season in the midfield.  Her, Mimi Hill, ex-Dee Elise O’Dea will line up against our excellent mids led by Tyla Hanks, Purcell, Lily Mithen, West and Paxy.

 

Expectations are for a solid Dees win but no doubt Carlton will have plans to try and stop our run and handball game.  We should be too strong.

 

Melbourne by 15 points

 

THE GAME

Carlton v Melbourne at Ikon Park, on Friday 23 September 2022 at 7:30pm (Melbourne time)

 

HEAD TO HEAD

 

Overall Melbourne 3 wins Carlton 1 win

 

At Princes Park Melbourne 1 win Carlton 0 wins

 

The Coaches Stinear 1 win Harford 1 win

 

MEDIA

 

TV - live on 7 and Kayo. Check your local guides.

Radio - check your local guides.

 

THE LAST TIME THEY MET  

 

Melbourne 5.4 (34) defeated Carlton 5.3 (33) at Casey Fields, 12 March 2022

 

In the last home and match of season 6, in what was a real wake-up call for Melbourne, the Dees hung on for a nail-biting 1-point win.  

 

The Dees victory locked up a top-two berth and helped them on their way to a Grand Final.

 

In this match Carlton subdued Melbourne’s overlap and free-flowing style in what could be a template for Daniel Harford in the upcoming match on Friday night.

 

Captain Daisy Pearce went into defence in the frantic final minutes and helped save the game.

 

Harris was kept quiet but up bobbed Bannan to the side’s rescue with 3 nice set shot goals.  Hanks, Mithen and Paxman amongst the best for Melbourne.  

 

Ominously for Carlton, four of their best players last time are not playing this time.  

 

Three have left the club (Stevens, Prespakis & Egan), while one is injured (Guerin).

 

GOALS

 

Melbourne: Bannan 3, D. Pearce 2

 

Carlton: Stevens 3, Good, Sherar

 

BEST

 

Melbourne:  Hanks, Bannan, Mithen, Paxman, D. Pearce

 

Carlton:  Stevens, Guerin, Hill, Prespakis, Egan

 

Injury and Suspension List: Round 5

 

Sinead Goldrick - knee | test

Georgia Gall - foot  | 3 weeks

Gab Colvin - knee  | season

Eliza McNamara back  | season

Rhi Watt - knee  | season