Recent history says Geelong by plenty.

They have won their last five matches against Carlton by an average of more than 10 goals, with last year's 56-point victory the closest between the two sides since early 2004.

But you can still make a reasonable case for the Blues pushing the Cats all the way in Friday night's AFL clash at the MCG.

For starters, Carlton are a much-improved outfit in 2009 and are near certainties to contest their first finals campaign in eight years.

And although the second-placed Cats' best is still formidable, they have significant injury-related personnel problems - especially in defence.

Which is just where Brendan Fevola and an improved Blues' attacking support cast may be best placed to hurt them.

With regular key defenders Matthew Scarlett and Harry Taylor unavailable, Geelong need someone to fight above their weight class against Fevola.

That someone could be Andrew Mackie - who did such a good job against Lance Franklin two weeks ago.

Or maybe Darren Milburn or skipper Tom Harley, while Tom Lonergan has been brought in to add tall defensive cover.

Coach Mark Thompson even suggested that he could turn to midfield star Joel Corey.

The reality is that it takes a combined defensive effort to shut down Fevola, who currently sits second in the Coleman medal race behind Brisbane skipper Jonathan Brown.

And the key here is whether the likes of Milburn and Harley, usually so adept at zoning off to support their defensive teammates, will be allowed that luxury in the absence of Scarlett and Taylor.

"When you play against Brendan at the moment it's not just the one guy who lines up on him, particularly with the Cats because their defenders roll off so well," Carlton assistant coach Matthew Lappin said on Thursday.

"They'll look to have two or three guys on him at different times by assisting whoever does play on him.

"We'd hope to put enough dangerous players down there to make them play accountable footy and then hopefully Brendan will get more one on ones.

"Or Setanta (O'hAilpin) will get more one on ones.

"If they decide to drop off those blokes then we can use them and make them defend by getting those guys to hit the scoreboard."

The Cats have also lost midfielder-forward Paul Chapman (hamstring), while the Blues named an unchanged side.

In addition to turning the tables against Geelong after five years of humiliating losses, the Blues are also keen to put on an improved showing at the MCG.

After opening the season in style with an 83-point drubbing of Richmond, Carlton have put in most of their worst performances of 2009 at the competition's largest venue.

"Geelong and St Kilda have been the two best sides all year," said Lappin.

"Geelong have hit a couple of hurdles with injuries which I suppose every side gets at some point.

"You can see they've dealt with that really well and they're still in second spot on the ladder and playing really good footy.

"They're finding out a little bit more about players on their list who they haven't been able to have a look at for the last year or so.

"Imagine how hungry those guys would be to stay in the side.

"They are going to have five or six guys in their side who are playing for finals spots.

"We're pretty sure they'll be coming out at a hundred miles an hour."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP