With the absence of Jarrad Waite, Robert Warnock and Shaun Hampson from their team this week, the Blues will rely on smaller forwards even more so than normal.
The initial forward setup goes a long way to explaining how Carlton attempts to kick a winning score. The more space the small forwards have to operate, the easier it is for them to burn off their opponents with their pace. A shot of the setup from the Blues' match against West Coast demonstrates this.
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Considering Etihad is often regarded as a 'fast' ground, one would think it should suit the smaller, quicker forwards.
But Carlton has lost four out of its last five matches at Etihad Stadium with the only win coming against the GWS Giants.
The answer could lie in the dimensions of Etihad and the method teams use when playing on the ground.
At 128 metres wide, Etihad is 13 metres narrower than the MCG (141 metres). Despite the length of the two grounds being the same, the lack of width prevents Eddie Betts, Jeff Garlett and co from being able to 'turn' their opponents and work out towards the flanks.
Teams also use the corridor more at Etihad. Naturally when using a constricted area, the running trends more toward straight lines therefore limiting the smaller forwards to traditional leads.
Again, the difference can be seen in the setup. While the first picture has a deep forward with three half-forwards all around the 50-55 metre mark, this snap from Carlton's game against Geelong at Etihad shows a different structure.
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Instantly you can see there are now two deep forwards. More importantly, the two remaining half-forwards set up much deeper at around 35 metres out from goal. We're left with the following comparison:
- Away from Etihad, there is at least 45 metres of space between the full forward and half forwards in the initial setup. This allows both the full forward to lead up and/or the half forwards to work back without compromising each other.
- At Etihad, there is only about 20 metres between the deep forwards and half forwards. As soon as one forward makes a lead, they're instantly in the other's space. This makes it easier for opposing defenders to help out, knowing they won't have to stray far from their own responsibility.
The North Melbourne defence is starting to develop its own synergy and in signs it is growing increasingly confident, recent matches have seen repeated team efforts to cut off forward attacks from the opposition.
It's what has to happen again at Etihad Stadium to quell the Blues' attack. Despite not having the runs on the board at the ground, it doesn't take long for momentum to turn and past battles to vanish from memory.
