Sunday’s only AFL Round 1 match is between Carlton Blues and Port Adelaide Power. The opening bounce is set to commence at 7.40pm with the game to be played at Etihad Stadium. The home team Carlton Blues are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between Carlton Blues and Port Adelaide Power.

Round: Round 1, Sunday, March 16, 7.40pm
Stadium: Etihad Stadium
Weather: 19° Partly cloudy.

Featured Bookmakers:

Carlton Blues $1.62 vs Port Adelaide Power $2.35 at Sportsbet Australia get a $250 FREE BET on this match

Carlton Blues $1.62 vs Port Adelaide Power $2.35 at Luxbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match

Odds Comparison:

Carlton Blues	1.62	1.60	1.62	1.60	1.62	1.60
Port Adelaide Power	2.35	2.35	2.35	2.35	2.35	2.32

All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.

Tips: Port Adelaide to win with the + line.

Preview:

CARLTON goes into Sunday night’s match with plenty of confidence, having won seven of its past eight games against Port Adelaide, including both encounters last season. While the Blues will miss injured champion midfielder Chris Judd, they welcome prized recruit Dale Thomas from Collingwood. Port Adelaide’s recent record at this venue is disappointing, its five-point win over St Kilda in round 17 last year breaking a run of eight consecutive defeats. But the Power showed dramatic improvement under coach Ken Hinkley in 2013 and this shapes as a tight, enthralling contest between two of last year’s finalists .

LAST FIVE TIMES
R23, 2013, Carlton 15.14 (104) d Port Adelaide 15.13 (103) at AAMI Stadium
R8, 2013, Carlton 16.13 (109) d Port Adelaide 14.7 (91) at Etihad Stadium
R10, 2012, Port Adelaide 14.15 (99) d Carlton 6.9 (45) at AAMI Stadium
R11, 2011, Carlton 16.15 (111) d Port Adelaide 7.7 (49) at AAMI Stadium
R8, 2010, Carlton 17.16 (118) d Port Adelaide 14.8 (92) at AAMI Stadium

THE SIX POINTS
1. Carlton defeated Port Adelaide twice in 2013. The Blues won by 18 points in round eight at Etihad Stadium and by one point in round 23 at AAMI Stadium. In round 23 the Blues needed to win to play finals, coming from 32 points down at half-time and 29 at the final change.

2. The Blues were a long kicking side in 2013. They ranked second with 1532 long kicks while Port Adelaide ranked last with 1121.

3. Carlton has dominated Port Adelaide recently, winning seven of the past eight games between the teams.

4. The Blues took more contested marks than any other team in 2013, averaging 13 a game. By contrast Port Adelaide ranked 17th with nine a game.

5. Carlton does not enjoy playing at Etihad Stadium. In 2013 the Blues lost five of nine games and since 2011 have won only 12 of 27.

6.  In 2013 Port Adelaide’s average score was 92 points a game – its highest since 2008.

Teams:

Carlton Blues:

B: Lachie Henderson, Matthew Watson, Zach Tuohy
HB: Kade Simpson, Michael Jamison, Andrew Walker
C: Dale Thomas, Marc Murphy, Ed Curnow
HF: Chris Yarran, Jarrad Waite, Jeff Garlett
F: Mitch Robinson, Matthew Kreuzer, Bryce Gibbs
Fol: Robert Warnock, Tom Bell, Brock McLean
I/C: Andrejs Everitt, David Ellard, Andrew McInnes, Nick Holman, Patrick Cripps, Kane Lucas, Troy Menzel (three to be omitted)

Port Adelaide Power:
B: Jackson Trengove, Jack Hombsch, Matthew Broadbent
HB: Jasper Pittard, Tom Jonas, Tom Clurey
C: Jared Polec, Brad Ebert, Kane Cornes
HF: Angus Monfries, Justin Westhoff, Hamish Hartlett
F: John Butcher, Jay Schulz, Robbie Gray
Fol: Matthew Lobbe, Travis Boak, Chad Wingard
I/C: Ollie Wines, Matt White, Cam O’Shea, Jarman Impey, Brent Renouf, Sam Colquhoun, Dom Cassisi