Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Carlton will have to crack the code to the league’s stingiest and tightest defence if they are to end a horror week with a boilover Anzac Day win.
High-flying Fremantle (5-1) are hot favourites to make it six wins on the trot when they take on the struggling Blues (1-5) in Perth on Saturday night.
Across six games this season, Fremantle have conceded only 379 points at an average of 63.2 – the best record in the competition.
They are also the No.1-ranked team when it comes to points conceded from clearances and rate of scores conceded per inside 50m.
Led by inspirational skipper Alex Pearce and helped by the likes of Luke Ryan, Heath Chapman, Brennan Cox, Jordan Clark and Karl Worner, only Geelong have been able to crack the 100-point barrier against Fremantle so far this season.
Last week, West Coast outpointed Fremantle 51-50 in the inside 50m count.
But the Dockers still walked away 14.13 (97) to 5.11 (41) winners, with many of Fremantle’s goals starting from defence.
Carlton’s highest score this season is 86 points and their trend of second-half chokes has all but destroyed their finals hopes already.
Fremantle veteran Luke Ryan lavished praise on his fellow defenders.
“We say we’re the tightest line group in the club,” Ryan said.
“We love playing with each other. We’re not the smartest tools in the shed. We’re all pretty similar, apart from Chappy and Moose (Pearce) – they’re a bit different.
“But we love being in each other’s company. We just love having fun.”
Ryan credited backline coach Jade Rawlings with helping further tighten Fremantle’s defensive bonds.
“Our backline coach ‘Twig’ is really about connection and I think he’s driven that,” Ryan said.
“We’ve become tighter since he’s come in and that’s a credit to him. We love getting dinners together and being around each other.”
Not only are Carlton reeling on the field, but they are also still dealing with the fallout of Elijah Hollands’ medical episode.
Hollands checked into hospital after his erratic behaviour during last week’s five-point loss to Collingwood, with Carlton heavily criticised for allowing him to play in the first place.
On Thursday, the Blues submitted their report to the AFL about Hollands’ public mental health episode.
Victorian workplace safety watchdog WorkSafe is also asking questions about the incident.
Hollands has been ruled out for the trip to Perth and it remains to be seen when he will be cleared to play again.
Carlton have also lost spearhead Harry McKay (concussion) and ruckman Marc Pittonet (hand) for the match.
Former Dockers ruckman Liam Reidy replaces Pittonet, while Cooper Lord and Ashton Moir have also been included.
Fremantle are unchanged.
