It's become one of the most daunting trips in the AFL, but Carlton are determined not to become easy road kill when they trek west to take on Fremantle at Patersons Stadium on Thursday night.
The Dockers have won 19 or their past 20 games in Perth, and are expected to come out firing against the Blues after spending the previous fortnight stewing over their shock 58-point loss to lowly St Kilda.
That result dropped Fremantle to fourth on the table, but the return of star quartet Aaron Sandilands, Stephen Hill, Hayden Ballantyne and Garrick Ibbotson has boosted their chances of grinding their way back into the top two by season's end.
Carlton coach Mick Malthouse urged his team to spoil the party, saying Fremantle's desperation to make amends for their flop against St Kilda didn't guarantee anything.
"I don't think you have an automatic right to think that (just because) you had a bad game, you will come out and murder the side the following week," Malthouse said in Perth on Wednesday.
"I think you've still got to do the hard work. We're over here to spoil the party.
"We haven't come here just to lay down because Fremantle got beaten by St Kilda last week.
"We've got a very competitive side."
Carlton were boosted by the return of Brock McLean and Andrew Carrazzo from injury, while Blaine Johnson was also recalled.
Andrejs Everitt (knee), Troy Menzel (knee) and Mitch Robinson (suspended) were the three to make way.
High-profile Fremantle recruit Colin Sylvia and comeback kid Anthony Morabito were dropped following quiet displays against St Kilda, while Matt Taberner and Jon Griffin were also axed.
Sylvia managed to string six games together after earning his Dockers debut in round 13.
But his inability to fire means he could struggle to break back into the side in time for the finals.
Although Carlton (6-11) are out of finals contention, Malthouse's side are riding a wave of confidence following their 23-point win over North Melbourne last round.
Forward Jarrad Waite booted four goals from 19 possessions in that match, and Malthouse was hopeful the 31-year-old would be able to produce more match-winning displays in the twilight of his career.
"He's a great Carlton person. When he's on song, you can see how he plays," Malthouse said.
"But I feel that Jarrad, over the last seven or eight years, has been a victim of injuries.
"He's never been able to (complete) a full pre-season in any of those years.
"So we're hopeful with the more games he plays, the better he's going to be acquainted to playing consistent football."
Share
