The Blues’ clash with Adelaide is a must-win

After a slow 0-4 start, Carlton have found form and got their mojo back, winning their last three games, most impressively so far defeating flag contenders Geelong on Sunday.

But now facing quite possibly their biggest hoodoo team in the AFL, Adelaide in South Australia, brings forward the Blues’ greatest challenge yet.

Carlton’s last victory over the Crows came back in 2022. As more of a worry for the Blues, Adelaide have often been the team to disrupt the Blues’ flow of good form, right as momentum was building.

Carlton’s losing streak of four games that cost them a finals appearance in 2022 started with a shock loss in Adelaide in round 20, when Adelaide was in the bottom four.

Adelaide ended the Blues’ unbeaten start to 2023, thrashing them by 56-points in the historic Gather Round clash. Before doing the same in 2024, as the Blues sat undefeated at 4-0, Adelaide who were winless stormed home with a late surge to steal a monumental upset two-point win.

To make matters harder for Carlton, they are yet to beat the Crows at Adelaide Oval. But a small bit of hopeful optimism for the Blues is they have won their past three clashes at Adelaide Oval (just not facing the Crows).

Adelaide was tipped to make finals along with the Blues in 2025 and are currently a dark horse of the competition this year, sitting fifth on the ladder and firmly in the premiership race.

In their recent loss to Fremantle, they still showed their resilience with a late surge, reducing the final margin to 18 points. It is something Carlton simply must be wary of in match preparation.

For the Blues, it is not simply about tactics to break the Crows down, but putting the mental demons of facing Adelaide behind them, not to mention at Adelaide Oval. Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay will need to lead a strong forward line, replicating their performances against Geelong. It will come down to four consistent quarters from the Blues, find their targets with their ball use and kick a winning score.

A loss wouldn’t be disastrous, but a disruption of their momentum whilst fighting to get back into top eight contention. Currently, every win matters for the Blues, who sit 11th. Carlton must find a way to get this crucial win in Adelaide.