Carlton v Hawthorn, MCG Thursday, March 20, 7.30pm AEDT

Last time: Hawthorn 16.16 (112) d Carlton 5.8 (38), R22 2024

What it means

Carlton made a fast start as it eased to a commanding lead over Richmond before the main break and appeared to be heading towards an easy win. But it didn't take much for the Blues to be shaken and then stirred by the young Tigers who snatched an improbable victory to leave coach Michael Voss' side already needing to prove it can live up to the hype.

A quirk of the fixture meant Hawthorn had eight points on the board before 11 clubs had even played a game but it is as much the way it has performed that sets it out as one of the teams to beat. The Hawks are playing with dash and dare that allows them to score heavily as they lay down a marker as a top-four contender.

Game shapers

Tom De Koning presented a strong case for a big payday at Carlton as one of few of his team to perform in the season-opener even as it was overrun by Richmond in the second half. The 201cm big man gathered 28 disposals and eight clearances, as well as 30 hitouts, but could be asked to carry more of the ruck load to leave captain Patrick Cripps to focus more on his onball role.

Dylan Moore might have been overtaken by some of his young Hawks teammates for flair but the 25-year-old remains the side's most consistently potent weapon in attack. The 2024 All-Australian has already booted five goals in two matches after a career-high 36 last season while also finding plenty of the ball as a midfield-forward hybrid that opposition defenders struggle to contain.