For the third time in four weeks the Cats will line up for a game that’s been labeled the match of the round, and so it should be.

The Blues have become a different team under Michael Voss and the Carlton army has emerged from what feels like a decades long slumber, setting up what should be a genuine heavyweight clash at the MCG on Saturday night.

If you thought recent games against Richmond and Melbourne had that finals feel, then this one surely fits the bill with the Blues only dipping below a crowd of 50,000 once at an MCG game this year, and that was back in Round 5 before they were really cooking,

So cancel your plans and let’s hear more of that noise we heard last Thursday night at GMHBA.

Here are a couple of things to look out for on Saturday night when the ball is bounced at 7.25pm.

The Form Line

Both Chris Scott and Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin have recently floated the idea that playing Geelong was a kind of audit on where your club was at as if Geelong were a kind of gatekeeper of the top 4. Carlton will likely feel the same way. 

While the Blues eventually kicked away against the Eagles last week in Perth, their ledger since Round 10 has been L-W-L-W-L-W for a record of 3-3. So where are the Blues at? We will know more at about 10pm on Saturday night. 

Midfield Matters

You know the TV cameras will follow Tom Hawkins, Jeremy Cameron, Charlie Curnow, and Harry Mckay from the moment they get out of their cars on Saturday night.

Then we’ll hear from a couple of ex-key forwards about how we might be in for an old fashion shootout with the top three in the Coleman Medal race, and four of the top 10, roaming the forward half.

Let’s hope they’re right - between the four they've kicked 175 goals this year - but that’s only half of the story. Your key forwards are only as good as their supply so as always, the key battle will be in the middle of the ground where first use will be key. 

However, if one side gets off the leash the defenders will be earning their money, that's for sure. 

Stakes Are High

September is coming and only four points separate 7th and first place, so we can expect ladder positions, double chances, and home finals to shift around a lot over the next six rounds. In short, every game counts.

Geelong currently sits in top spot, but a loss could mean they fall to at least fourth with five rounds to go. And Carlton, a win keeps them in touch with the top two, but a loss could see them fall as far as seventh. 

Whatever the result, if this game is played at a level anywhere near as fierce as the two men in the opposing coaches' boxes played it we’ll be in for a treat. 

Is it Saturday yet?