Match details
Sunday, May 27, 3.15pm (local time), MCG
Teams
Melbourne
B: James Frawley, Jared Rivers, Clint Bartram
HB: Jack Grimes, Colin Garland, Tom McDonald
C: Rohan Bail, Brent Moloney, Sam Blease
HF: Jack Trengove, Jack Watts, Brad Green
F: Jeremy Howe, Mitchell Clark, James Sellar
Foll: Mark Jamar, Lynden Dunn, Nathan Jones
I/C: Jamie Bennell, Jordie McKenzie, Luke Tapscott, Joel Macdonald, Troy Davis, Daniel Nicholson, James Magner
In: Lynden Dunn, Rohan Bail, Luke Tapscott, Joel Macdonald, Troy Davis, Daniel Nicholson, James Sellar
Out: Liam Jurrah (ankle), Aaron Davey, Colin Sylvia, Cale Morton
New: Troy Davis (Kerang/Geelong Grammar/Geelong Falcons)
Carlton
B: Zach Tuohy, Michael Jamison, Aaron Joseph
HB: Bryce Gibbs, Lachlan Henderson, Christopher Yarran
C: Kade Simpson, Chris Judd, Heath Scotland
HF: Dennis Armfield, Matthew Kreuzer, Andrew Walker
F: Eddie Betts, Shaun Hampson, Jeffrey Garlett
Foll: Robert Warnock, Mitch Robinson, Brock McLean
I/C: Paul Bower, David Ellard, Kane Lucas, Andrew Collins, Matthew Watson, Edward Curnow, Joshua Bootsma
In: Aaron Joseph, Robert Warnock, Brock McLean, Kane Lucas, Andrew Collins, Matthew Watson, Joshua Bootsma
Out: Marc Murphy (shoulder), Nick Duigan (calf), Jordan Russell, Bret Thornton
Broadcast guide
Form
Melbourne: L, L, L, L, L, L, L, L
Carlton: W, W, W, L, W, W, L, L
Ladder position
Melbourne: 18th
Carlton: 7th
Head-to-head
Played: 204
Melbourne: 88
Carlton: 114
Drawn: 2
At this ground
Played: 95
Melbourne: 48
Carlton: 47
Drawn: 0
Last time they met
Round 20, 2011: Carlton 21.8 (134) d Melbourne 7.16 (58), MCG
Recent streak
Melbourne has lost its past five against Carlton
Memorable match
Round six, 2004: Melbourne 25.10 (160) d Carlton 8.7 (55), MCG
Melbourne achieved its greatest win and kicked its highest score against Carlton in this match. Cameron Bruce starred with a career-best seven goals and Adem Yze got a match-high 31 disposals. They earned three and two Brownlow Medal votes respectively. Ben Holland also booted four goals and Brad Green chipped in with three.
Milestones
Melbourne: Troy Davis (first AFL match) - if named in final 22
Carlton: Jarrad Waite (150 matches)
Coaching record
Mark Neeld: 8 matches, 0 wins, 0 draws, 8 losses
Brett Ratten: 30 matches, 18 wins, 1 draw, 11 losses
Injury list
Melbourne: Michael Evans (back) - indefinite, Max Gawn (knee) - season, Jordan Gysberts (jaw) - 2-4 weeks, Neville Jetta (ankle) - indefinite, Liam Jurrah (ankle) - 4-6 weeks, James Strauss (leg) - test, Josh Tynan (foot) - 2 weeks, Leigh Williams (virus) - 3 weeks
Carlton: Blake Bray (shoulder) - 1 week, Andrew Carrazzo (shoulder) - 6 weeks, Mitch Carter (back) - 2 weeks, Levi Casboult (knee) - 5 weeks, Marcus Davies (shoulder) - 6 weeks, Jeremy Laidler (knee) - 4-5 weeks, Luke Mitchell (shoulder) - test, Sam Rowe (testicular cancer) - indefinite, Chris Yarran (toe) - test, Simon White (knee) - 5-6 weeks
Players to watch
Melbourne: Jack Watts
Watts was one of the few shining lights from last round’s 101-point loss against the Swans. The 21-year-old returned to the side after a two-match stint in the VFL and collected a career-best 34 disposals, playing out of defence. His performance showed plenty of character, given the scrutiny he has faced in recent times.
Carlton: Chris Judd
Curbing the superstar’s influence will be one of the biggest tests for Melbourne. Judd had 31 disposals both times Carlton played the Demons last year and even without the assistance of key midfield duo Marc Murphy and Andrew Carrazzo, who are both injured, the skipper looms as a massive threat for the Dees.
Match-up to watch
Jordie McKenzie v Chris Judd
The Demon midfielder has been given some serious challenges this season, having run with the likes of Daniel Kerr, Brendon Goddard and last round Josh Kennedy. And again McKenzie will have another tough role this round, when he attempts to quell the Carlton skipper.
Most disposals
Melbourne: Nathan Jones (175)
Carlton: Heath Scotland (218)
Most marks
Melbourne: Jeremy Howe (46)
Carlton: Kade Simpson (51)
Most tackles
Melbourne: Jordie McKenzie (46)
Carlton: Mitch Robinson (42)
Most goals
Melbourne: Mitch Clark (17)
Carlton: Eddie Betts (18)
How’s stat?
Melbourne’s most recent win over Carlton came in round 22, 2007, when Mark Riley was coach. It was his last match as interim coach, before Dean Bailey was appointed. Riley then moved to Carlton, where he remains today.
Foot in both camps
Les Abbott, Jimmy Aitken, Jack Bacquie, Ron Barassi, Albert Bickford, Jack Bristow, Bruce Campbell, Vin Catoggio, Sean Charles, Kevin Clark, John Comben, Brent Crosswell, Harry Davie, Fred Elliott, Alec Farrow, Jack Gardiner, Vin Gardiner, Vic Gordon, Albert Gourlay, Jack Hammond, Bren Heaver, Fred Hewitt, Bill Hore, Paul Hurst, Chris Johnson, Ken Jungwirth, Andy Kennedy, Graham Kerr, Dan Lanigan, George McCart, Fen McDonald, Frank McGrath, Ken McKaige, Brock McLean, Peter McLean, Artie McSpeerin, Paddy Mills, Bert Parke, Paul Payne, Phil Pinnell, Harry Rigby, Peter Rohde, Peter Smith, Earl Spalding, Charlie Taylor, Tony Thiessen, Greg Wells, Frank Williams, Alf Williamson, Jack Young, Michael Young.
What Mark Neeld says …
“We’ve got a clear view of how we want to play and we’re eight weeks into what’s going to be a long journey - if that’s the right term. And things take time, absolutely. We’re really clear on the way we want to play, but before that, for us as a group, it’s about establishing our own standards and what we think is acceptable and what isn’t. Teams will have their own game style, but there is a bit more that you need, before you worry about game styles and those things.”
Key Melbourne question
On the back of a winless start to the season and a dismal performance against the Swans, can the Demons finally break their drought with an upset victory?
Key Carlton question
The Blues have lost their past two matches to the Saints and Crows and have some genuine injury concerns. Could this make Carlton vulnerable and leave the door ajar, ever so slightly, for a Melbourne win against the odds?
Summary
Last round was an extremely disappointing one for Melbourne, after it went down by 100-plus points for the second time this year. After three competitive performances against Western Bulldogs, St Kilda and Geelong, the Dees have recorded two frustrating results against Hawthorn and Sydney Swans. It remains in the middle of a very challenge period, given it plays seven of last year’s top eight in a row from rounds five to 11. The Demons have the Blues this round, then Essendon and Collingwood before the mid-season break. The scrutiny on the club has been intense and most pundits are predicting a 0-11 win/loss record by this period, but Melbourne must aim high and attempt at least one upset victory in this time. Carlton will be a massive task, remembering it won five of its opening six matches. But the Demons must play with a fighting spirit, and produce four unconditional quarters - regardless of the result.
