After an unlikely run to a preliminary final last year, Carlton still needed to prove the naysayers wrong. Halfway through this season, the Blues look like legitimate contenders. Here's why.
When Geelong topped Carlton the last time the two teams met, in Round 7 this season, the Blues ended the weekend in sixth position.
Carlton's season looked like it would be thrown into disarray when first-choice ruckman Marc Pittonet was sidelined with a finger injury after a 52-point loss to Sydney in Round 10. The Blues have been excellent in the clinches all season long, leading the league in contested possessions per game and centre clearances per game, while also ranking third in scores from centre bounce.
However, once the Blues do get the ball inside their forward 50, there aren't many more damaging teams in the entire league. After struggling with confidence and goal-kicking issues last year, Harry McKay has been revitalised so far this season. The left-footer has already matched last season's goal tally of 29 in eight fewer games.
While Carlton's past month of football has been impressive, there is still a mountain of work to do for coach Michael Voss.ABC Sport Daily is your daily sports conversation. We dive into the biggest story of the day and get you up to speed with everything else that's making headlines.As the loss against the Swans last month showed, there is still a relatively large gap between the AFL's top two teams at the moment.
Carlton Blues Tom De Koning Patrick Cripps Sam Walsh Charlie Curnow Michael Voss Harry Mckay
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