In the latest edition of Opposition Watch, Swans Media takes a look at the Blues camp ahead of Tuesday night’s clash at Metricon Stadium.      

Recent form

The Blues are currently in 12^th position on the AFL ladder and are coming off two straight losses to Collingwood and GWS respectively. In both those losses, the Blues have been ultra-competitive and led into the last quarter, only to be overrun.  

Their last win came in Round 13 against the Gold Coast Suns in emphatic fashion.

Ins and outs

The Blues seems to have come away from Thursday night’s clash against GWS in good health. While there is unlikely to be forced changes at the selection table, with two losses from their last two outings and the prospect of playing finals now remote for 2020, the Blues may look to change things up.

According to afl.com.au reporter Riley Beveridge, category 3 rookie and former basketballer Matt Owies will make his debut for the Blues. Owies has been amongst the goals in the Blues scratch matches in recent weeks.  

 Key match-up

Jack Martin has proved one of the recruits of 2020. Highly touted when originally drafted to the Gold Coast Suns, Martin made the move to the Blues for 2020 and has shown his immense talent.

Martin will be no stranger to Metricon Stadium from his Gold Coast days and this year has booted goals in each of two matches at the ground, including last week against GWS.

While not a high possession winner, Martin makes an impact with each and every disposal. He is a player that Swans will be watching closely.

Last time they met

Round 17, 2019 @ SCG

Sydney Swans 8.14 (62) defeated by Carlton 9.15 (69)

In a tight but inaccurate affair, the Blues were able to keep the Swans at bay on a Saturday afternoon at the SCG.

With Matthew Kreuzer dominating in the ruck, the Blues were able to take control at the contest.

Scores were tied at quarter time and though the Swans trailed for the remainder of the game, the margin remained within reach.  A late goal to Sam Reid gave the Swans real hope, but the answer came quickly from Carlton’s Harry McKay and the game was put beyond reach.

Nic Newman, playing his former side, had a day out with 32 touches, while Jake Lloyd helped himself to 34 for the Swans. 

What they said

Carlton coach David Teague on his expectations for the remainder of 2020:

“We’ve definitely grown and learnt a lot about ourselves this year and what we’ve also learnt is that we’ve got a lot of improvement left in us.

“We’ve shown that we’ve competed in every game we’ve been in and that we can compete with anyone but haven’t always got the results we wanted.

“We’ve got growth, we’ve got a lot of areas to improve on still, but I think that the best thing from our playing group that we’ve got is we’ve got a lot of belief in ourselves and we know that we can do it.

“We understand we’ve got some growth areas and we want to go out there and work on those and improve and continue to get better.

“The players get the chance to play with each other and continue to learn about themselves and each other and we’ve got at least three more games to do that.

“We expect to go out there and continue to learn and continue to grow and continue to get better.”