AFL 2021 LIVE updates Blues aim to keep finals flame flickering against Suns
1 of 1
CARLTON
In: Betts
Out: Owies
GOLD COAST
In: Ellis, Townsend
Out: Flanders, Brodie
Eddie Betts.Credit:Getty Images
Marc Murphy (Carlton) and Jack Bowes (Gold Coast) are the medical substitutes at Marvel Stadium this afternoon.
Marc Murphy.Credit:Getty Images
Incredibly, after a largely disappointing season, Carlton find themselves back in the finals hunt, having won four of their last six games.
They’re now just a game outside the top eight with three rounds remaining, and a win against Gold Coast would only serve to strengthen their finals ambitions.
But the question has to be asked: which Carlton team is going to turn up this week? The one that embarrassed itself against North Melbourne two weeks ago? Or the one that actually applied itself and pressured St Kilda into submission six days later?
Making this game more unpredictable than it might seem on the surface is the fact that that same question can be asked of the Suns. Will the side that recently secured back-to-back wins against Richmond and GWS, before pushing the Bulldogs for four quarters, rock up? Or will the side that has been outscored by 174 points in its last six quarters be present?
Carlton are aiming for four consecutive wins against the Suns for the very first time, having won their last three meetings by an average of 23 points, and also back-to-back wins at Marvel Stadium for the first time since 2016.
The Suns are trying to avoid losing four games in a row for the first time since 2019.
Nick Coffield (StK) - 50 games
Robbie Fox (Syd) - 50 games
Nick Coffield.Credit:Getty Images
Carlton and Gold Coast are both talented, rising young sides which have spent a decade at the wrong end of the ladder. They are also running out of excuses: it’s time to start winning games, come what may, if they want to be taken seriously.
For both, this match-up was an eight-point game in round four. In the end, it was the Blues who took the points for their second win of the season, running over the top of a flagging Suns, peppering the goals for a poor return of 1.7 in the final quarter, but it was enough, as they dominated possession and time in the forward half to deny the Suns.
The Suns have again been cruelled by injuries, having lost their No.1 ruck Jarrod Witts for the year. But in more fuel for the debate about the influence of hit-outs on the game, the Suns won the clearance count easily; it was in maintaining clean possession and moving the ball downfield that they struggled.
Click here to read the full report.
Adam Saad spoils Nick Holman.Credit:Getty Images
Hello and welcome to our live Saturday mega blog for Round 21.
Kicking things off is a clash between Carlton and Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium.
The twilight fixture sees Richmond battle North Melbourne at the MCG.
And the night-time double-header features St Kilda v Sydney at Marvel Stadium as well as Showdown 50 between Adelaide and Port Adelaide.
1 of 1
0 Response to "AFL 2021 LIVE updates Blues aim to keep finals flame flickering against Suns"
Post a Comment