Round 4: Carlton V Gold Coast | Preview

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Carlton 12.7.79 defeated Gold Coast 5.14.44

This was a real scrappy game as two of the competitions lesser lights battled out in a slugfest filled with turnovers
Cripps and Murphy dominated with 37 and 36 possessions respectively
There was no Tom Lynch which gives us a small sample size of form against this Gold Coast side at Metricon.
Paddy Dow kicked Carlton's goal of the year with the infamous running beauty
Jarrod Witts was notable with 60 hitouts against Matthew Lobbe

I genuinely think we are a better side than what we have shown so far. Albeit for these "dead" patches of play, I like the intensity we play with
With Marchbank in the side, I'm looking forward to out defense adding another layer of composure. Jones and Weitering have been great thus far.
Watching every Gold Coast game, they too have lapses throughout games where they let teams assert their dominance - I am looking forward to seeing if we can capitalise on our moments.
With each week that passes, new learnings occur. For some, there has been no improvement - for others there is patience in the process.
Harry McKay is growing rapidly before our eyes.
Kreuzer has had an extra week to get himself right and from all reports, moved well in the VFL intra-club match. We are definitely a better side when he plays and I hope he is ready to go.

The pressure of being 0-4 could linger in the back of our minds and with that pressure comes actions that suggest players might go into their shells and think about "not making a mistake" with each possession instead of moving the ball with confidence
Gold Coast are in good form, being competitive in every single game so far. They are quick and apply serious pressure consistently.
The away factor, particularly for a team like the Suns who would view this game as a winnable game. It is situations like this where they will flourish.
The ruck situation. Matthew Lobbe is a competitor but ultimately he is a squad player. We have been dominated by opposing ruckman in each of our games and if you look at our previous matchup with the Suns, Jarrod Witts had 60 hitouts.
Mitch McGovern had an injury scare and is unlikely to play this week, leaving a big burden on the shoulders of Harry McKay. This is a situation that I don't think he's just ready to own this early in his career.

Team Selection

OUT - Gibbons, O'Brien, Lobbe

IN - Fasolo, Kennedy, Kreuzer

Prediction

This is such a winnable game if we can learn from our mistakes, stay composed and play with a real purpose.

Carlton by 11