Andrew, you win this week's Play of the Week for finishing that lovely Blue play in the first and nailing the goal.
Thanks, it’s always nice to slot one early.
How come we couldn't do that after quarter time?
Gee, good question first up. Yeah, we were chasing their tail for most of the day, their pressure was huge, probably forcing us into making too many mistakes. I think as bad as we played, the Crows played equally as well.
Is there anything more you can tell us about the game? The Crows seemed to have difficulty clearing it from defence until about 20 minutes in, but then SHAZAM….They kicked a lot of goals from directly in front.
Yeah you’re right, we got off to a pretty good start and really it probably didn’t show on the scoreboard. Our start against them earlier on in the year was awful, probably similar to the end of the game this time around.
When Brett Burton went up for that huge mark on Saturday did it whet your appetite to try one of your own?
Yeah, it was a great grab, it doesn’t surprise you when he takes massive hangers, but that mark was probably the best I’ve seen.
Back to your goal, are you a better kick on your left than your right? Could that be from only having a functional left arm for so long?
I think my right is still better, but you’re probably right, as most people would know, if you have one of your arms out of action for a while your strength tends to build up on the other side of your body.
How are you feeling out there - more comfortable?
Yeah a lot better, the more game time I get the better I feel. It’s not that you don’t feel comfortable, I think it’s just more confidence in your body and the more hits you get and tackles you lay the more confidence you get.
Have you had the chance to test your shoulder with that tractor you were talking about?
I think I have tested it every way possible!
Has Campbell Brown ever accused you of anything?
Haha, no not yet!
There's a lot of talk about how the game is changing from less physical to more athletic. Do you feel that's the way things are going?
Yes and no, I think the AFL has been cleaning the game up, but I don’t think it is any less physical. But there are aspects of the game that certainly are an advantage to the more athletic players.
Have the blokes who played for the Bullants been strutting about this last week? - that's two huge wins in a row for them and a double chance in the finals. Who is likely to come in this week?
Haha, yeah they strutted in on Monday morning. To be honest it’s great for the Ants boys and it keeps the pressure on the guys in the ones. The three boys who missed last week through suspension would be a chance as would Shaun Grigg and Adam Bentick.
It’s obviously a pretty significant milestone to play your first final. How much does playing finals mean to players like yourself who have been around for a few years and seen the abyss?
It means a lot, it’s obviously great for the members and supporters to have their team in the finals. But from a players point of view it’s just another step for us. It’s a mini accomplishment I suppose but Carlton is a successful Club that made its name in September. David Parkin spoke to us this week about Finals and Carlton, its great to be in it, but it’s just another step on the way to what we want to achieve.
What is the mood like heading into Saturday night's final against Brisbane? How much was our confidence shaken by the heavy defeat against the Crows?
We had a dinner after the game on Saturday and one of the things I took out of it was that, that was the end of the Home and Away season and a new season “The Finals” starts this week. We had a good training session earlier in the week and everyone was on their toes.
Was anyone late to the recovery session on Sunday?
No.
What are the travel plans for this week? Do you arrive a couple of days early, and do you actually get to train on the ground?
We head up on Thursday afternoon and will have a run on Friday at some stage.
Judd said we probably wouldn’t win the flag. Fev said we would. Who should we believe?
Haha, Juddy no doubt has the more level head, but Fev is also right. At the start of the season 16 teams could win it, now only 8 can . . . it’s a funny month September.
Well as the Blues assume their rightful place in football, Andrew Walker assumes his rightful place in our first 22 kicking goals and providing that run we all need. Here’s to the Blues playing finals footy again this week!
Please Note: the views expressed in the above article are solely the opinion of the author and do not reflect the opinions of the Carlton Football Club or those employees of the Club. The Carlton Football Club would like to acknowledge the tireless work of those supporters who contribute to carltonfc.com.au.
