AN EXCITING time to be a Carlton fan.

With the Blues' AFL side preparing for a wildcard final this week and the AFLW team kicking off the year at 2-0, there's a positivity in the air at IKON Park - as well as the knowledge that there's plenty of hard work ahead. 

Carlton GM of Football Chris Davies sat down with Carlton Media this week to preview what's to come, as the Club prepares to turn the MCG Navy Blue on Saturday night against Melbourne. 

Here's what he had to say.

On the vibe around the Club currently:

“These are the times you want to be involved. The team has had a great second half of the year and we go in with a whole heap of momentum, which is fantastic.

“Hasn’t the wildcard been a good thing for us? It’s given us something to aim for in the second half of the year. The players’ psyche will be about attacking the week as much as we possibly can: I don’t think that needs to change. We’ve been all about our process over the last period of time, the players have embraced that and I know they’re looking forward to getting out there in front of our fans on Saturday night.”

On the threat Melbourne presents:

“We’ve done enough work leading up to this game, knowing we were secure the week before. Steven King has done a fantastic job, Melbourne plays an exciting brand of footy and we’re going to have to be at the top of our game to compete on Saturday night.

“We also think our best is going to be well and truly good enough, it’s our responsibility to bring that on Saturday night.”

On a new-look group experiencing finals football:

“It’s been a great building block in the second half of the year, and this game will be that as well. The team goes in with fantastic momentum, a group of players who are clearly very committed to each other right now, a group of coaches that are doing a fantastic amount of work to make sure we’re successful and set ourselves up for the future, while lowering our eyes for what we’ve got ahead of us.”

On Will Hayward and Nick Haynes’ potential availability:

“They’re both a pretty good chance right now. Hayward is doing whatever he can to try and be back from his ankle injury, and Nick Haynes has been nursing a few aches and pains in the second half of the year.

“I think both will come into calculations for selection at the end of the week.”

On the start to the AFLW season:

“It’s been really good watching the work ethic of the players, the great stuff the coaches are doing as well. The first game against St Kilda was an amazing event for everyone who was there, and for someone like me, it’s always fantastic to knock off Adelaide.

“They bring a lot of positivity, enjoying their footy - we’ve got both teams right now who look like they enjoy being around the place. As footy manager, that’s something I’m really proud of.”

On the VFL team’s season:

“It was a disappointing result on the weekend, Damian has done a really good job with the team this year. The game on the weekend, you’re having to pull players out at the last minute, carrying players over - we probably didn’t have the best possible team we could out there given the need to protect what we’re doing at AFL level.

“Overall, the group has done a pretty good job this year, under circumstances that have been a bit trying at different times.”

On the energy created by Carlton fans:

“I’ve been a Carlton supporter for a long period of time. I’ve been fortunate to be here at different points of the highs. In the last 8-9 weeks, you’ve seen the crowd engaged in a different way - it’s been phenomenal to see.

“The support our players get - both at AFL and AFLW level - is extraordinary and unparalleled in the competition. I’m sure our people are going to pack the place out on Saturday night, it’ll be a great thing for our players.”

On his Rising Star tip, between Jagga Smith and Harry Dean:

“One of them is going to win it, and either one of them will be an absolutely worthy winner. They’ve both had fantastic years, they’ve helped become catalysts for this team by playing some outstanding footy in the second half of the year.

“Whoever wins it, we’ll support them. Whoever comes second, we’ll put our arms around them because they’ve had a fantastic year.”