The Cats and Blues go head to head for the second time in 2024, here is a closer look at how the Baggers are looking at the mid-way point of the season.

Ladder  
Carlton: 2nd (9-4) 
Geelong: 6th (8-5) 

Points For 
Carlton – 1228 
Geelong - 1209 

Points Against 
Carlton – 1118 
Geelong - 1110 

Goal Kickers 

The Cats backline will face a big challenge on Friday night, against one of the best one-two tall forward combinations. 

Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay have combined for 67 goals this season, sitting second and sixth on the Coleman Medal leaderboard respectively.  

The pair have combined to win the last three Coleman Medals.  

Geelong’s forward half will look to counter, with Tyson Stengle (27 goals) and Jeremy Cameron (24 goals) having a similar impact on games in 2024.  

Midfield battle 

Sam Walsh and Patrick Cripps continue to drive the Carlton midfield, with the pair in terrific form again in 2024.  

Walsh is ranked inside the top five in the league for disposals (31 per game), inside 50’s (6 per game) and sits inside the top 20 for contested possessions.  

Cripps ranks number one in the competition for contested possessions, while also averaging 27 disposals per game.  

Team Stats 

Inside 50 Efficiency 

Carlton have been converting inside 50 entries into scores at an efficient clip this season, converting at approximately 27% efficiency to be the third highest-scoring team in the league after 14 rounds.  

By comparison, the ladder leading Swans go at a similar 27% efficiency as the highest scoring team across the competition.  

Restricting Possession 

The Blues have conceded the least disposals to opposition teams across the first half of the season, restricting the ball movement of their opposition.   

They rank third in the AFL for tackles, while also conceding the second-lowest total of uncontested possessions this season. Â