Carlton vs Richmond - MCG - Saturday Afternoon
Carlton 6th - 10-9 - 106.99%
Richmond 15th - 6-13 - 73.71%
As we near September the rejuvenated Blues tackle the improving Tigers in an other important clash in terms of shaping September.
Carlton face the Cats and also Freo at Subiaco in the last fortnight, so with pressure coming from Syndey, Hawthorn, Melbourne and the Kangaroos, the Blues must win this clash to fend those sides off before a difficult run home.
Not to say Richmond won't provide difficulty, they have been a huge improver this year and are not easy beats by any means, but Carlton would be expecting to win this and simply must if they are to play finals.
Last week was an excellent response by the Blues and Brett Ratten should be commended for putting the acid on his players, and then making smart decisions at the selection table.
The thing Ratten did was strip it back to basics, and get blokes in who are prepared to put their body on the line.
Hadley, Grigg and Robinson are all limited footballers, with futures that are uncertain. But one thing they do unconditionally is hit the ball hard, and compete.
They set the scene for the Blues and with Judd, Murphy and Gibbs keen to atone the response was pleasing for Carlton who opened the game up as a result, found more time with the footy, and were able to bring their smaller forward line back into the game.
They face interesting selection challenges this week with Brad Fisher and Andrew Walker beating down the door.
Both were dropped last week and Fisher responded with 10 goals, whilst Walker collected 47 touches in the Bullants thumping win over Frankston.
Yes the dolphins are terrible, but that is the perfect way to respond to being axed.
Walker is clearly in their best 22 when fit, and should come back, and I feel their is a place for Fisher long term as well.
He has his limitations but most sides function better with that hit up high half forward player who can link between midfield and deep inside fifty.
Henderson needs to play closer to goal, but Fisher can fill that important hit up role in my oppinion.
This week though, it might be hard for him to push in given the side dominated and kicked 23 goals.
Ratten I feel will stick to the boys who turned the table with the possible exception of Walker slotting back into defence and provide another running option to help counter the Tigers pace.
For Richmond last week was a solid showing that lacked the polish of some of their earlier performances, and ultimately that cost them against the slick and in form Dees.
Melbourne scored ten goals directly from Richmond turnovers last week, whilst conversely Richmond were only able to nab majors from four of Melbourne's direct errors.
Their ball use has improved a lot this season but last week, whilst they were competing well at stoppages and spreading well from the contest, they were very sloppy by foot which would have dissapointed Damien Hardwick.
This week they face the old foe Carlton in a chance to shape the eight and dent the chances severely of their much hated rival.
If they continue to win as much ball as they have over the past couple of months they will make life very difficult for Carlton and could most definitely win the game.
58 Inside fifties last week netted just eleven goals, and with Jack Riewoldt well held, they struggled to find other consistent avenues to goal, with midfielders and ruckmen Angus Graham doing most of the damage.
I think Ben Nason needs another spell, he has struggled for impact in the last month and Andrew Collins is a proven goal kicker who can provide that X Factor inside fifty, bob up and kick three and perhaps win them the game.
Thursfield and McGuane are being experimented with up forward but I reckon they are better served having a crack with young Jayden Post, who has looked ok at times, or perhaps even Vickery.
Ben Cousin's past five to six weeks will go a long way to securing him a contract for next season and I for one firmly hope he gets one.
Carlton will no doubt put some work into Brett Deledio and I could see Carazzo getting a forward line tagging role on the Tigers star.
Jake King could return to defence to get one of Garlett or Betts with Edwards or Webberly getting the other.
Jarred Waite will need close checking from the Tigers and perhaps Thursfield or Moore might get the job, but Hardwick might throw the task at young emerging defender David Astbury.
At the other end, Jamison or Bower will get the big job on Jack Riewoldt who still leads the coleman despite kicking just one last week on James Frawley.
Both these sides have forward lines that can struggle when one or two blokes are contained, and the key is who can deliver the cleanest ball inside fifty and capitalise on their chances.
The Blues broke through Essendon's meek chain last week and had a lot of space to deliver well going forward.
The Tigers have been a pretty good pressure side since Round 8 ranking third for tackles and contested ball and if they bring this to the table they can win it.
Carlton though should just have a bit too much class, and whilst the Tigers will be in this game most of the afternoon, with a spot in the eight on the line, and a midfield that has found some form Carlton will win their 11th game of the season and take a major step towards booking a date with September.
Carlton by 16 points
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