The 2021 Fixture: A deep dive
Written by Ari Stamatakos
Christmas came early for all footy fans, as the 2021 AFL fixture was released. The approach is very similar to the 2020 fixtures, as the AFL has not announced every single game immediately.
Rather, the AFL has announced the first 6 rounds in full, with the exact time and date for the remaining fixtures to be announced at a later date.
Let’s break down what exactly 2021 has to hold for the Carlton Football Club.
Who Do We Play Twice?
Carlton will be both visiting and hosting Fremantle, Gold Coast, GWS Giants and Port Adelaide. As well as a doubleheader blockbuster as the Blues face the archenemy Collingwood twice in season 2021.
Round 2 will be the first time that Carlton will play one of the teams they play twice, as we have a home fixture against Collingwood.
Carlton will have the bye in round 13 alongside Brisbane, Richmond, Essendon, West Coast and Western Bulldogs
First 6 Games
With the AFL only announcing the specifics to the first 6 fixtures, let's take a deep dive and analyse the task in hand for the Blues.
Round 1- Vs Richmond (A) Thursday the 18th of March- MCG
How good is tradition? The traditional Thursday night game to kick off the season will commence once again in season 2021 as the reigning premiers will play host to Carlton in what's promised to be a buzzing MCG crowd. This match will set the tone for the season so the Blues must get off to a good start
Carlton has not won in this fixture since 2012, where the blues ran out 44 point winners in a game which featured goal of the year by Chris Yarran. The standout performance from the day was Marc Murphy, he lead Carlton to a dominant win having 32 disposals and kicking a goal
Last time they met
This time last year, Richmond and Carlton played in front of an empty MCG, where Richmond ran out 24 point winners after they stifled a late Carlton surge despite leading by 46 points at half time. The key performers for the blues were Patrick Cripps ( 31 disposals, 9 score involvements, 10 clearances and 7 inside 50’s) and Sam Docherty ( 26 disposals, 4 inside 50’s, 9 rebound 50’s and 7 marks).
Prediction- Tigers by under a goal. 0-1
Round 2- Vs Collingwood (H) Thursday the 25th of March- MCG
How good is tradition? well, how good is a blockbuster?. Not many fans will enjoy the week build to this game, the nervous hours leading in and the tense minutes before the bounce. However, it will be all worthwhile if the Blue boys can get over the line against the archenemy.
A rivalry spanning over 100 years, the ledger currently stands at 127 wins apiece from 258 games, it's building up to be the blockbuster of all blockbusters. Let's hope our Carlton boys can get over the line and put us 1 win ahead in this everlasting rivalry.
Last time they met
A Carlton vs Collingwood match, at the Gabba, who would've thought? That’s what the crazy year of 2020 had for us, and unfortunately, it went from bad to worse as Collingwood were too strong for the Blues on the day as they won by 24 points.
The best performers from the forgetful day were Ed Curnow (22 disposals, 1 goal, 9 tackles and 28 pressure acts) and Sam Walsh (22 disposals, 1 goal, 21 pressure acts and 3 score involvements).
Prediction- Carlton by 11 points. 1-1.
Round 3- Vs Fremantle (H) Sunday the 4th of April- Marvel Stadium
Our first of 8 matches at marvel stadium and this time Carlton host Fremantle. History has not been nice to Carlton as the last time these two clubs met at this ground, Carlton did not kick a goal in the first half and were 70 points down at the main break.
If you go further back than that Carlton have not beaten Fremantle at home since 2008, where Carlton won by 9 points. In the meantime, the Blues have gone 0-4 at home against the Dockers. However, this is a different Carlton team, and with the confidence of winning the last two outings against the Dockers, this should be a much more competitive outing, which the Blues should be expected to win.
Last time they met
It was THAT game, the Jack Newnes game. Carlton looked down and out, beaten in yet another disappointing display. But when all looked lost, Jack Newnes rose above the ashes and kicked one of the best after the siren goals ever. Tucked up in the dead pocket, 40 meters out, and in James Brayshaw’s words, “He strikes it beautifully, he's got it”. A moment of pure jubilation as Carlton came from nowhere to win by 4 points.
The best performers on the day were Ed Curnow (33 disposals, 10 clearances, 6 inside 50’s and 4 tackles) and Sam Walsh (24 disposals, 1 goal, 7 clearances and 5 inside 50’s)
Predictions- Carlton by 26 points. 2-1.
Round 4 - Vs Gold Coast (A) Saturday the 10th of April- Metricon Stadium
Our first interstate match in season 2021, as we travel up to Metricon Stadium to face Gold Coast. This may look like an easy match on paper, however, Gold Coast are infamously strong early on in the season, as in the last 2 years, by round 4 they were placed in the top 6. Carlton must not underestimate them especially when playing away as the last time they played at Metricon, it was late heartbreak for Carlton.
The first time these two teams met at Metricon, it was an upset for the ages as a 2nd year Gold Coast side ended the finals hopes for Carlton in season 2012 as they ran out 12 point winners.
Last time they met
Sir Doug Nicholls' round was the setting for the last time these two clubs versed each other, and on a slippery game up in Darwin, Carlton was just too good for Gold Coast as they comfortably strolled to a 33 point win.
The best performers from the game where Marc Murphy (28 disposals, 75% disposal efficiency, 11 score involvements and 5 clearances) Sam Walsh (24 disposals, 10 score involvements, 4 clearances and 3 inside 50’s)
Predictions- Carlton by 34 points. 3-1.
Round 5- Vs Port Adelaide (H) Saturday the 17th of April- MCG
We return to Melbourne, and we return to the MCG. This time we host the minor premiers from 2020 Port Adelaide. These two sides have only played each other 3 times on the MCG with the record being 2-1 in Carlton’s favour, including the incredible win in 2015 which secured John Barker's first win as a professional AFL coach.
Port Adelaide would be heading into the 2021 season full of confidence as they defied expectation last year by finishing 1st and reaching a preliminary final, this will be one of the harder tests that Carlton will face in season 2021. Are they up to the challenge?
Last time they met
It's only fair that I give credit where credit is due, the last time these two sides versed, it was the Robbie Gray game. A kick after the siren by Robbie Gray after multiple wasted opportunities by Port Adeliade to sink the Blues, after a match of the year worthy encounter. It was a thrilling, tension-filled bout which ended in mass ecstasy or mass despair, depending on which side you fall on.
The best performers on the day were Patrick Cripps (21 disposals, 6 clearances, 11 contested possessions and 3 inside 50’s) Sam Walsh (16 disposals, 2 goals, 1 clearance, 4 inside 50’s, and 301 meters gained)
Predictions- Carlton by under a goal. 4-1.
Round 6- Vs Brisbane Lions (H) Saturday the 24th of April- Marvel Stadium
Two home games in a row, this time at Marvel Stadium against Brisbane Lions. Carlton has a great history against Brisbane at Marvel Stadium, winning 5 out of the last 6 that have been played there. After 2 years of disappointing finals exits, many people believe that this is the year that Brisbane's could go all the way. This game is a test to see just how far Carlton could go in 2021.
The most recent game between these two at Marvel Stadium, it was the Patrick Cripps show. David Teague's first game in charge of Carlton and the skipper helped him secure his first win. Kicking 4 second-half goals and gathering 38 disposals, he showed just how good he is when he is on form.
Last time they met
It was the final round of the 2020 season and the final round of Kade Simpson's career. A very emotional night as a legend of the Carlton football club laced his boots for the very last time. It was a disappointing night for the Blues as they went down by 17 points.
The best performers on the day were Sam Walsh (31 disposals, 6 clearances 5 inside 50’s, and 5 score involvements) Matt Kennedy (21 disposals, 6 clearances, 3 score involvements and 11 contested possessions)
Predictions- Brisbane by 9 points. 4-2.
How tough is the fixture?
The first 6 games are going to be a real test for the Blues as these early performances will prove as a very good indicator to where Carlton will finish at the end of the year. Many fans would agree that Carlton would need to be at the very least 3-3 to make a serious and sustained bid for finals football.
Since Carlton is only playing 2 teams who were inside the top 8 last season, twice is a big positive. However, the run-in that Carlton is facing is not the easiest. In our last 3 games, they have to travel to the Adelaide Oval to face Port Adelaide and playing the GWS Giants in the final game of the season is always going to be a tough ask.
Carlton must finish the season with a positive Win/Loss record to have any chance of making finals, as well as having a big percentage to push them over the line in what could be a very tight bottom half of the 8
Prediction- Wins-13
Losses- 9
Ladder position: 6th
