Carlton’s finals temperature check: Run home, wildcard player, why they can win it and more

SEN’s The Run Home team of Andy Maher, Josh Jenkins and Julian De Stoop have undertaken a finals temperature check on the teams still in contention.

They have taken a close look at some varying categories which could decide whether they qualify for finals in some cases or even contend for the premiership.

The categories are: The Run Home, Recent Signature Win, Wildcard Player, Medical Room (key outs), Why They Can (make it/win it) and Why They Can’t (make it/win it).

Next up is Carlton who currently sit second on the ladder with a 12-6 record after winning five of their first six games and six of their last eight.

The Run Home

Round 20: v Port Adelaide (MS)
Round 21: v Collingwood (MCG)
Round 22: v Hawthorn (MCG)
Round 23: v West Coast (OS)
Round 24: v St Kilda (MS)

De Stoop’s prediction: 4-1

Recent Signature Win

Jenkins: “The win over the Cats a few weeks back, where they hammered them at a big stage with a big crowd on a Friday night.”

Wildcard Player

Jack Martin

Jenkins: “For the love of god just get him in the team.

“His impact will be greater than the stat sheet suggests, I think he flourishes in the minutes where Harry McKay goes into the ruck and he becomes the secondary marking target.”

Medical Room (key outs)

Zac Williams (Hamstring, 3-4 weeks)
Mitch McGovern (Hip, Test)
Tom De Koning (Foot, 5-7 weeks)
Blake Acres (Foot, Test)
Orazio Fantasia (Calf, Test)
Corey Durdin (Shoulder, TBA)
Caleb Marchbank (Illness, Test)
Jordan Boyd (Shin, Test)
Sam Docherty (Knee, Season)
Jack Silvagni (Knee, Season)

Jenkins: “Zac Williams, need him back; Mitch McGovern, need him back; Blake Acres has a sore foot, and hopefully he will be okay.

“The big one is Tom De Koning out for the regular season, and TBC after that.”

Why They Can

Jenkins: “The MCG will help them; if they get there, it will be Collingwood of last year; it will be Richmond of many years ago, which will be massive for them.

“Their power and ferocity around the field will be a big part as well.”

Why They Can’t

Jenkins: “If Tom De Koning is not back or very close to fully fit, they cannot win it.”