Carlton vs Gold Coast Suns Verdict
The struggling Gold Coast Suns have lost eight in a row and things aren't predicted to get any better on Saturday at Marvel Stadium. In what should be a low scoring affair, Carlton are backed to take the points.
- Gold Coast are averaging just 61 points in the past four rounds.
- Carlton are averaging just 57 points in the past three rounds.
- Sam Walsh has had 30+ disposals in three of his past five matches and had 32 the last time the two sides met.
- Gold Coast have lost eight matches in a row.
Head to Head
Gold Coast took out the most recent clash between the two sides by 19 points, with that match played at Marvel Stadium in Round 22 last season.
Carlton Form
Carlton have lost their past two matches and come off a 21-point defeat to arch-rivals Collingwood. The Blues won their first seven matches under caretaker coach Josh Fraser before that momentum stalled with losses to Hawthorn and the Magpies.
Against Collingwood, Carlton remained within striking distance for much of the night, dominating first possession around stoppages before that advantage faded as the game wore on.
They still outscored the Magpies by 19 points from clearance, but their transition game again proved costly, conceding 29 points from intercept chains.
Patrick Cripps again led from the front with 30 disposals and two goals, while Sam Walsh, Jagga Smith and George Hewett all collected 25+ disposals. Walsh and Cripps have now recorded 30+ disposals in three of their past five matches
Gold Coast Suns Form
Gold Coast's season has unravelled dramatically, with the Suns entering Round 20 on an eight-match losing streak and sitting 14th on the ladder with a 7-11 record.
Last week they suffered a nine-point loss to the Western Bulldogs despite winning the disposal count by 91, finishing ahead in clearances and generating 11 more inside 50s.
The difference came in forward-half efficiency, with the Bulldogs outscoring Gold Coast 9.6 (60) to 5.7 (37) from forward-half chains.
Touk Miller was outstanding with 39 disposals, while John Noble and Will Powell also found plenty of the football. Christian Petracca and Leo Lombard kicked two goals each in the low-scoring affair.
Carlton vs Gold Coast Suns Team News
Harry McKay misses through injury in a significant blow to the Blues’ forward line, while Liam Reidy has been omitted. Marc Pittonet returns to assume the lead ruck role, with Lewis Young also recalled.
Damien Hardwick has resisted making wholesale changes despite an eighth consecutive defeat. Charlie Ballard is the Suns’ only inclusion, replacing the omitted Oscar Adams.