VENUE & TIME :
Telstra Dome, 2.10pm (AEST), Saturday August 2

HEAD TO HEAD :
Carlton 93 Kangaroos 50 Drawn 0

LAST TIME :
Kangaroos 22.15 (147) bt Carlton 20.10 (130)
Round 8, 2007, Carrara

Team Changes

Blues :
IN: Hampson Russell
OUT: Blackwell Fevola (abductor)
NEW: Shaun Hampson, 19, Mt Gravatt

Kangaroos :
IN: Edwards
OUT: McMahon

Preview

The Blues Carlton have confirmed Brett Ratten will take on the senior coaching job in the wake of Denis Pagan's sacking and apparently he has a great rapport with the players. Nevertheless their form is not something which is going to get better anytime soon and they remain hamstrung by injured stars. A groin injury to star forward Brendan Fevola, who virtually carries the Blues, is a crushing blow.

Josh Kennedy (thigh) is available for Carlton this week, and Shaun Grigg (knee) and Jordan Russell (groin) both face fitness tests, while Joe Anderson (hamstring) will be sidelined for another week.

The Kangaroos have now dropped three games on the trot. Well beaten by Brisbane in Round 18 they have since also surrendered to West Coast and Geelong, but not without putting up a huge fight in both contests.

Glenn Archer has been in superb touch this year, even though he is counting down until the end of his decorated career at season's end. He was at his dynamic best against the Cats on Sunday and was one of the main reasons the Roos challenged as strongly as they did.

The Kangaroos have defender Josh Gibson (head) listed to face a fitness test this week ahead of a possible return, and Nathan Thompson (knee) also retains a glimmer of hope regarding a possible return during the finals.

The Verdict :

It's hard to see Carlton being competitive enough to run the Roos close, despite things settling down at Princes Park.

The Kangaroos simply have too much to play for this week to drop this one, they need a win to secure their spot in the finals and also keep their top-four hopes alive.

While the Blues have their minds on draft picks and 2008.

The Pick :

Kangaroos by 33 points

HANDICAP BETTING :

Kangaroos -27.5 @ 1.90