Fresh off a nail biting one-point win over Melbourne, Carlton head to the SCG this Friday night to take on the top-of-the-table Swans in Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

Carlton got out to a 38-point lead against the Dees and hung on by the barest of margins in Round 9, lifting the Blues to seventh on the ladder ahead of the clash against the Swans.

Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh led the way in the victory, with 35 and 34 disposals respectively, while Jacob Weitering was solid in defence with 17 touches of his own and seven marks.

The head to the Harbour City to take on a Sydney outfit sitting top of the ladder after a solid 48-point win over Fremantle in Perth.

The Swans got the better of the Blues in Marn Grook at the SCG last season, but Carlton had the last laugh, ending Sydney’s campaign in a tight Elimination Final at the MCG.

Carlton have only won twice in 18 matches at the SCG dating back to 1993. If they are to buck trend they will have to do it without Jack Martin who will miss the match due to a calf injury, while Adam Cerra suffered a hamstring injury against the Dees.

The midfield battle will go a long way to determining the result, but the Sydney defence will be tested with Carlton big men Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow in such good form.

Speaking after the win against Melbourne, coach Michael Voss said his team still has a lot of improvement in them.  

“If you look at our midfield group, they haven’t played a lot together when you talk about ‘Pitto’, Tom, Patrick (Cripps), ‘Walshy’ (Sam Walsh), (Matt) Kennedy, George (Hewett), Cerra,” said Voss.

“They haven’t played a lot of footy together. To build those relationships and cohesiveness you need, it takes a bit of time. They get along really, really well. They’re good teammates with each other, and the more we can get them out there playing together, the better we’ll be.”

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