Head to head: Carlton 115 wins, Geelong 91 wins, two draws
Last time: Carlton 14.13 (97) d Geelong 8.14 (62), round 19, 2009 at the MCG
MISSING IN ACTION
Carlton
Mark Austin (groin) - test
Paul Bower (leg) - test
Brad Fisher (knee) - 7-8 weeks
Brock McLean (hip) - test
Rhys O’Keeffe (hip) - 1-2 weeks
Geelong
Mitch Brown (leg) - 2-3 weeks
Marcus Drum (detached retina) - 6 weeks
Steven Motlop (shoulder) - 10-12 weeks
Max Rooke (shoulder ) - test
Matthew Scarlett (back) - test
Matthew Stokes (ankle) - test
Travis Varcoe (thumb) - 2-3weeks
FORM
Carlton: WLLW
Geelong: WWLW
SUMMARY
Carlton looked great in its easy win over Adelaide last week. With captain Chris Judd back after serving his suspension, the Blues walked a little taller and were nothing like the team that fumbled and crumbled a week earlier against Essendon. The coach had made a stand, dropping a couple of name players but those who were called in did their job with aplomb. While it gets a little harder, the Blues will take some confidence from last year’s round-19 win over the Cats. That night they did enjoy a night out from Brendan Fevola, while Mark Thompson’s side was also not only without Matthew Scarlett but also Harry Taylor, among a couple of others.
Geelong may again be without Scarlett this Monday, but given the way the Cats demolished Port Adelaide last week, that may not matter. The reigning premiers were ruthless against the Power, their third quarter haul of 11.7 one for the highlights reel as all their big-name players got in on the act.
PLAYERS TO WATCHMatthew Kreuzer is a difficult match-up at the best of times but he is a real ace up Brett Ratten’s sleeve this week. While Brad Ottens is great at ground level, neither he or Mark Blake possess the running power of the young Blue. Look for him to cover as much ground as possible, and also push forward to try to stretch the Cats defence.
James Podsiadly is the new favourite down at Catland. But after two 11-mark games and seven goals, there’ll be no hiding for the 28-year-old this week. He’ll receive more attention but exactly who will the Blues assign to the mature-age recruit? And how will he fare on footy’s hallowed turf and in front of a big crowd?
QUESTION MARKS
Cameron Ling rarely lowers his colours but did in round 19 last year when Carlton champ Chris Judd got away from the human clamp. The two skippers will no doubt lock horns again, but who will take the honours this time around?
Jordan Russell blanketed Steve Johnson late last season. While the Cat was on a wonky hip it wasn’t one of his better nights. He will be keen for redemption and is full of confidence after six goals last week. Can Russell do the job again?
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
Both sides were impressive last week but one suspects each faces a sterner test in round five. For Carlton, this is its first really big test. With its captain on deck and against first-class opposition, the footy world will be watching. One feels they will be able to match most sides in the competition - especially with its talent-laden midfield - but it might be too much to conquer the entire Cats’ unit, which was superb last week and boasts class on every line.
If it’s dry and Geelong’s three-pronged tall forward line again fires, it will spell trouble for the Blues, given the quality of ball the likes of Mooney, Hawkins and Podsiadly are likely to receive.
PREDICTION
Geelong by 37 points
Follow Jennifer Witham's inside view of Carlton v Geelong at #aflbluescats on Twitter.com from 2.10pm (EST) Monday or @AFL_JenWitham#aflbluescats
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
