Particle.news
Get it on Google Play
Download on the App Store
4 ARTICLES
·
last mo.

Fraser's Young Blues Face Melbourne in MCG Wildcard

The match will test whether Carlton's midseason turnaround can be sustained by its inexperienced core.

Melbourne's Kysaiah Pickett has established himself as one of the most damaging players in the AFL. (Adam Trafford/AAP PHOTOS)
Carlton's Jagga Smith was a clear winner of the AFL's rising star award. (Adam Trafford/AAP PHOTOS)
Steven King has made the bold call to recall Jack Viney for his first game of the season in the wildcard clash with Carlton.

Overview

  • Carlton will play Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday night in a knockout wildcard that decides which team moves deeper into the finals.
  • The Blues have surged since Josh Fraser replaced Michael Voss, winning about 11 of 14 games to earn the sudden run into finals contention.
  • Carlton says containing All-Australian Kysaiah Pickett will be a collective task rather than a single-player job and the club has specific plans for his influence.
  • Coach Fraser has flagged Marc Pittonet as the key match-up to reduce Max Gawn's impact while still preparing the team for Gawn's around-the-ground influence.
  • Two players, Will Hayward and Nick Haynes, tested injured ankles at training and will only be selected if they are declared 'fit to perform', and Carlton's young stars Jagga Smith and Harry Dean have won recent league awards that have raised expectations for their finals roles.