A POSITIVE step in the right direction.
Carlton maintained its unbeaten record in Melbourne to kick off the 2022, recording its fifth win of the season in the clash with North Melbourne.
Putting together their most complete performance to date under Michael Voss, this is what the AFL Senior Coach had to say on the Round 7 victory.
On his immediate post-match reaction:
“The obvious thing to say is it was a more complete performance. We stuck at it for longer.
“We could’ve come in at half time and strayed from what we were doing, but we felt really confident in the process that we were going with. We needed to keep doing it.
“The boys bought into that and didn’t deviate from the plan. We were able to execute across the whole night, which was really pleasing.”
On the performance in the second half:
“We’ve sat in that room a few times across the early part of the season and we’ve asked for the same things, but we haven’t quite been able to put it together: the opposition have upped their game and we haven’t been able to respond in the manner we’d like.
“I’ve walked out of every game this year and looked at our system and thought ‘we just need to stick at us for a little longer’. I feel like we’ve got a system that will be really strong when we execute over four quarters and stay in that space.”
On the playing group’s team-first approach:
“Sometimes, it’s really black and white and in front of your face. Sticking to our roles, the way we want to be able to play and playing at the intensity we need to for four quarters was the priority.
“One of the things I walked away most pleased with was they were great teammates. Across the whole night, they did things for each other and took secondary roles when they needed to.
“They stuck together as teammates tonight. As a result, the outcome ends up turning in your favour.”
On what supporters are seeing:
“My experience is when you turn the lens on things like spoils and tackles and doing something for your teammate, they’re things coaches have been talking about for ages.
“Our supporters are coming and watching and seeing a team that gives effort… and seeing a group of blokes that are playing for each other.
“We need to do that for longer. What we’re still working on is making sure we can perfect our system.”
On Jack Carroll’s debut:
“I’m really pleased he got a go.
“He had a really strong pre-season and he could’ve figured in the Round 1 team but lost a little bit of continuity. He was stuck in the AFL Health and Safety Protocols and then had a calf which stopped him.
“We’ve been really pleased with how he’s progressing as a player. He’s got some natural instincts when it comes to the midfield role, he’s tough as nails and he works hards.
“I think the Carlton faithful are going to be very happy watching this young man develop over the long term.”
On injuries coming out of the game:
“Zac [Williams] was a bit tight through his calf from training: we assessed it [Saturday] morning and it wasn’t sound enough to warrant taking the risk.
“Stocker had the shoulder. We’ll assess that: we feel like it’s not too bad, but with all these, it takes a couple of days to assess it and give the information from there.
[George Hewett] should be fine. We tried to get him going [on Friday] and give him every chance, but he came out of the side and Jack [Carroll] was able to come in.”
