PROCESS, process, process.
Carlton won't deviate from what has put the Club in the position to play a wildcard final next week, according to Josh Fraser.
In a big week for the AFL Senior Coach, here's what he had to say.
On being able to stifle Fremantle:
“That’s been part of our growth, that we’ve been able to manage momentum against us at different times. We’ve worked hard on it, the players deserve a lot of credit. It felt calm in the moments they got a run on. They’re a great side, they’re going to be there at the pointy end of it all.
“I thought we were calm and measured, understood what we needed to do and got to work. The group has displayed a high level of resilience that will hold us in good stead as we move forward.”
On the focus heading into the game:
“We approached the week around us a little bit more, acknowledging how good they’ve been all season. It’s always a challenge when you play a team that has been so consistent for a while and have a really strong system. Our main objective is to continue to build a brand that will take us forward, that’s what we’ve leant into. It’s been less about the occasion and the opponent, and more about what it looks like for us.
“I think that’s why the momentum shifts against haven’t been as significant, because we’ve been able to maintain an identity around that. It was a really strong performance overall: I thought we managed the momentum of the game quite well, we had to embrace imperfection and we had an even spread of contributors across the ground.”
On sticking to process:
“The context of where we’ve come from and maybe the context of the Club more broadly, that maybe in the past it’s been outcome-based - I’m speculating a little bit, because I haven’t really lived it. We’ve got a method right now that is working for us, and I think if we stray too far from that, then there’s some danger attached to it.
“As we keep building this brand and this identity, I still believe we’ve got to attach ourselves to a process more than an outcome. This appears to be a group that wants to embrace everything that comes their way, which I’m really excited about. Today was another example of that, when you’re playing a team as good as what Fremantle have been.”
On changing things heading into finals football:
“This is not built off emotion, it’s built off method. It’s built off a process of what it looks like from Monday to Friday. Our players turn up on Monday so eager to get better and find out who that looks. Our coaching group is doing an amazing job at facilitating that - whether it’s stoppage, offence or defence - and identifying parts of the game where we can keep growing. For me, that is the most pleasing thing.
“We’re absolutely enjoying winning games of football, but nothing is guaranteed in a week’s time other than we can control what Monday or Tuesday looks like in terms of how we can turn up and get to work. There’s a lot of method attached to the results over the past 13 or 14 weeks.”
On emerging from the game injury-free:
“We did. We got through unscathed: late in the game, we had the luxury of sitting a few players for an extended period of time. Our boys are in reasonably good health.
On managing Jacob Weitering late: “We had communication with our high performance staff that we’ve got this little window to look after a couple. He wasn’t the only one. He’s had an indifferent year in terms of being available, we took the opportunity to give him a bit more of a rest late in the game.”
On potential returns next week:
“Hopefully. There’s clearly some work in front of those guys before selection, but Haynes and Hayward are tracking the right way.”
On Marc Pittonet’s 100th game:
“He was outstanding, he’s been such a strong contributor for us over the course of the season. He’s a great competitor, the boys love playing with him - he’s reliable and durable and he’s a great character around the group, 100 games is worth acknowledging. The boys were quite excited to be part of that milestone for him.”
On extra shoutouts:
“Other parts of the game I loved, Talor Byrne is an example. Not huge possessions, particularly in the first half, but gee he had some really important moments for us. Ollie Hollands comes into the team and has an amazing rundown tackle in the goal square.
“We’re getting moments where players are standing up and the spread of contributors has been pleasing in that regard. It’s not always through weight of possessions, it’s about actions and deeds. That part of our identity is growing.”
On Francis Evans’ five goals:
“In terms of loving players to coach, he’s one of those guys. He’s so reliable, he’ll do what needs to be done for the team and then he gets the reward like he did today. He’s just a great teammate for the players: he applies pressure, he’s so connected to system. It was nice to see him get some reward.”
On taking the chance to reflect:
“There’s still a job in front of us. I can’t speak for the players and what they reflect on away from the Club, but we embrace everything in terms of what’s upcoming.
“We’ll keep learning the lessons from how we’ve got here, I think that’s important because we’ll continue to grow and evolve our style. But I don’t think anyone has had a complete stop and reflection on how we’ve got to this point, it’s about what’s next and how we attack that.”
