Match
Round six: Melbourne v Carlton
Details
Sunday, May 5, 3.20pm (local time), MCG
Teams
Melbourne
B: Lynden Dunn, James Frawley, Dean Terlich
HB: Jack Grimes, Tom McDonald, Colin Garland
C: Jack Trengove, Jack Viney, Matt Jones
HF: Jeremy Howe, Colin Sylvia, Dean Kent
F: Rohan Bail, Max Gawn, Shannon Byrnes
FOLL: Jake Spencer, Jordie McKenzie, Nathan Jones
I/C (from): Sam Blease, James Strauss, Cameron Pedersen, Daniel Nicholson, Michael Evans, Luke Tapscott, Aaron Davey
IN: Lynden Dunn, James Strauss, Jake Spencer, Jack Viney, Dean Kent, Daniel Nicholson
OUT: Mark Jamar (groin), Jack Watts (hamstring), David Rodan
New: Dean Kent
Carlton
B: Chris Yarran, Michael Jamison, Lachie Henderson
HB: Zach Tuohy, Dennis Armfield, Simon White
C: Kane Lucas, Mitch Robinson, Kade Simpson
HF: Chris Judd, Andrew Walker, Jeff Garlett
F: Ed Curnow, Shaun Hampson, Jarrad Waite
FOLL: Robert Warnock, Brock McLean, Marc Murphy
I/C (from): Heath Scotland, Andrew Carrazzo, Tom Bell, Eddie Betts, Sam Rowe, David Ellard, Jaryd CachiaIn
In: Jarrad Waite, David Ellard, Jaryd Cachia, Tom Bell
Out: Bryce Gibbs (Hamstring)
New: Jaryd Cachia
Broadcast guide
http://www.afl.com.au/tv-radio/broadcast-guide
Form
Melbourne: L L L W L
Carlton: L L L W W
Ladder position
Melbourne: 17th
Carlton: 9th
Milestones
Melbourne: -
Carlton: -
Coaching records
Mark Neeld: 27 matches, 5 wins, O draws, 22 losses
Mick Malthouse: 669 matches, 388 wins, 6 draws, 275 losses
Injury lists
Melbourne: Mitch Clark (foot) – 6-8 weeks, Mitch Clisby (shin) – test,? Jesse Hogan (corked thigh) – test, Mark Jamar (groin) – TBA,? James Sellar (ill) – test, Jack Watts (hamstring) – 1-2 weeks
Carlton: Bryce Gibbs (hamstring) – 1 week,? Nick Graham (knee) – 6,? Matthew Kreuzer (thumb) – 5 weeks,? Andrew McInnes (knee) – 6 weeks,? Rhys O’Keeffe (foot) – test
Players to watch
Melbourne: Max Gawn
Goal kicking ruckmen are an invaluable asset to any team. Since his return from long-term injury, Gawn has shown he is just that. With Mitch Clark set to miss the next 6-8 weeks look for Gawn to spend even more time up forward and build on his four goals in two matches.
Carlton: Brock McLean
McLean was riddled with injury after leaving Melbourne for Carlton at the end of 2009. Since being able to maintain a clean bill of health from mid last year he has been in career-best form.
Match-ups to watch
Shannon Byrnes v Zach Tuohy
Byrnes has stepped up as one of Melbourne’s best small forwards; kicking three goals against the Giants and amassing 21 touches against the Lions. Tuohy is making a name for himself as a smart defender. These two should start on each other and battle out most of the match.
Dean Terlich v Jeff Garlett
Garlett already has 11 goals for the season, thriving under the quick movement into Carlton’s forward line. The mature aged Terlich has impressed down back in his first year at the club. Terlich should be able to negate Garlett one on one, and will fight hard to not give him space to run.
Most disposals
Melbourne: Nathan Jones (117)
Carlton: Marc Murphy (126)
Most marks
Melbourne: Jeremy Howe (31)
Carlton: Kane Lucas (26)
Most tackles
Melbourne: Jack Trengove (27)
Carlton: Marc Murphy (28)
Most goals
Melbourne: Jeremy Howe (9)
Carlton: Chris Yarran (13)
What Melbourne says …
“Where we are and where Carlton are is completely different. The knowledge of what Carlton may or may not do is really irrelevant for me and irrelevant for our players. We’ll just need to focus on some of the basic development aspects that we’re working on.” – Melbourne coach Mark Neeld
What Carlton says …
“(With Melbourne) getting back to the MCG I’m sure we’re going to get their best effort, and it’s going to take our best effort to get over the line.” – Carlton vice-captain Andrew Carrazzo
Key Melbourne question
Who will lead Melbourne’s forward line?
Jack Watts made a return to the forward line in the second half last weekend, kicking two goals, but will unfortunately miss with a hamstring injury. Max Gawn is a tall target capable of swinging through the ruck. Jeremy Howe can do the spectacular and may need to show himself as the key forward target. Which of the regular forwards will step up and lead the way for Melbourne, or will there be a surprise from down back?
Key Carlton question
How will Carlton continue to emerge under Mick Malthouse?
Since playing the Eagles at Pattersons Stadium in round four the penny seems to have dropped for the Blues who are now running defensively. If Carlton can continue to improve this brand of football then it will be a formidable force.
Summary
Carlton has had the wood over Melbourne in recent years, winning by an average of 53 points in its past six matches. This will be the furthest thing from the players' mind when the teams face off on Sunday. Both have exciting forward lines, Melbourne with the highflying Howe, while Carlton has perhaps the fastest in the league with Eddie Betts, Chris Yarran and Jeff Garlett. This match will be decided down back, with the best offensive runners turning defence into attack.
