The changes
IN: Ciaran Byrne
OUT: Dennis Armfield
What to expect
Carlton are currently suffering through an eight-game losing streak.
Having shown moments of promise at times this season, including a one-point victory over the Giants in Round 12, the last two months have been bleak for the Blues.
The main issue facing Brendan Bolton’s side at the moment is their offensive game, having failed to score 100 points in any of the last 31 games.
Needless to say, they sit bottom of the table for points scored in season 2017.
The Blues are simply not getting their hands on the ball, ranking 18th in the competition for disposals and 17th in uncontested possession.
Currently 17th on the ladder, Carlton are trying to play a brand of football that sees them owning the ball with marks, a statistic they rate second in the league.
But those marks are being racked up in seemingly unthreatening positions, when you consider that the Blues sit 14th in the competition for marks inside 50.
There is undoubtedly a silver lining for Blues fans.
Five NAB Rising Star nominations this year would be filling the faithful with confidence that the future is bright.
But, as they face a fifth consecutive year without finals action, supports could understandably be growing increasingly frustrated by the Blues’ lowly standing.
Read: Last time we met Carlton
Players to watch
Only eight other players in the league have gathered more possessions this season than Marc Murphy.
The 29.5 disposals per game is a career-high for the Carlton skipper, with his 19.4 uncontested possessions per game ranking him 11th in the game in that category.
In the backline, Sam Docherty has taken more marks than any other player in the competition, averaging 9.1 per game.
Many pundits believe the former Lion, who was named in the All Australian squad last year, will likely go one better in 2017 and be awarded with his maiden honour.
He is arguably the Blues most important player, also leading his side in kicks and intercept possessions.
