MARC Pittonet being Marc Pittonet.

Ahead of Carlton’s return to action this Sunday, the Blues ruckman spoke to media at the MCG ahead of the Club’s Junior ‘Baggers game.

Speaking on the Blues’ football focus, a match-up against milestone Max and (of course) currently being Carlton’s leading goalkicker, here’s what he had to say.

On the follow up from Round 1:

“I’d be lying if I said it went exactly as smoothly as we wanted it. But a lot of the stuff in the first half that we worked on, the game plan we’ve been trying to implement and also the cohesion we’ve been trying to get as a group, we’ve had seven or eight new players roll through the first couple of games with a new coaching system.

“Being able to jell and see the growth coming, it’s now just about doing it for longer.”

On the need to keep playing, rather than have a bye in Round 2:

“I get your logic completely. But the handy thing is - given we brought in so many new coaches and players - it gave us the chance to spend time away from football as well.

“We were able to have a dinner together, have that organic time together as well as getting the hard sessions in, without having the short turnaround of 5-7 days and go straight from a review to a preview. We could do a bit more of that relationship building, getting more familiarity with the players and team we’ve got so far.”

On the difference between the Blues having a bye versus the Dees travelling to Perth:

“The way that high performance is at this point, the Perth trip is just part of it and everyone has done it so many times. It’s the same as when it’s an in-season bye, you get the same sort of thing with the reset around Round 13, 14 or 15. I don’t think it’ll be that much different.”

On addressing the second half against Richmond:

“One goal is not ideal, it makes footy very hard! It was some stuff around executing game plan with the ball, it was decision making defensively, it was running patterns - it was a bit of everything, without nailing everything.

“There were definitely things we did significantly better in the first half, there were clear patterns between the first half and second half. It shows that when we play our game plan the way we should, it does stack up. We’ve got to do that in the second half, we just haven’t been executing.”

On what the Blues need to do when things start to turn:

“We definitely can do it better, we’ve got to take our moments. Even in the two games we’ve had, in moments where we haven’t nailed the game plan, there have still been moments where if we’d taken them, it might’ve shifted the flow of the game. That’s an opportunity for us, the exciting thing is we get to do that this week.

“There were very clear parts of our game that we recognise and go when the pressure comes, as much as we want to take those moments and step into it, there are times where stepping into it might be the worst thing. It’s about going what’s my role, what’s the scenario of the game and how does this part of the game help us do what we need to do.”

On the change to the ruck rules in 2026, and coming up against milestone man Max:

“The ruck rules, I’m still getting my head around them - I’m watching most games at the moment trying to really understand different tricks. I was watching Jordon Sweet on the weekend who did a really good job at that.

“When it comes to Max Gawn, I’ve played him so many times. I think he’s the best ruckman of the last 20, 30, however many years. I really look forward to playing him. I’ve got to try and take away his aerial and his clearances and limit his impact on the game.

“It’s not that often that you go into the game as ruckman going if he’s the best player on the ground, we’re in strife, but if he’s not, then we’re a very good chance.”

On being back in the No.1 ruck spot:

“I’ve really enjoyed it. Last year, I was coming in and out of the ones and twos, but I knew I view myself as a No.1 ruckman in this league. Coming back, I’m just going that I’m back to where I belong, rather than stepping into something I’m not comfortable with.”

On dining out that he’s Carlton’s leading goalkicker… again… after two games:

“I think if I win the goalkicking, [Harry McKay] should be buying me a very nice bottle of wine. I might bring that up with him.

“I’ve been telling everyone that I’m still the leading goalkicker, and I’m celebrating every goal accordingly and trying to hug everyone I can. I’m going for 20! I’m happy to say that, I said it all pre-season - our forwards coach thought I was joking…”