THE chance to prove himself. 

Carlton caretaker coach David Teague will lead a team into an AFL battle for the first time when the Blues host Brisbane at Marvel Stadium.

Teague steps into the role eager to make an impression with a decade of coaching behind him.

Speaking to Carlton Media for this first time since his appointment, Teague spoke on his coaching philosophy ahead of a big day for both himself and the Club.

“My coaching philosophy is back the players in. Give them a chance: try and educate them Monday to Friday, and then on Saturday let them play,” Teague said.

“They all started playing the game because they love it, so I want to see their skills, I want to see what they’ve got.”

Having stepped into the role on Monday, Teague - who praised his predecessor Brendon Bolton - was hopeful he could put his own influence on a young playing group over the next 12 weeks. 

Speaking of a “whirlwind” week so far, the former John Nicholls Medallist was eager to get stuck into games and direct the attention forward to the season ahead.

Teague believed a more aggressive Blues outfit would come to the fore this weekend, within the parameters of the existing game plan.

“We’re going to continue to work. We’re not going to change our game plan totally but I’m going to try and free the guys up,” he said.

“I want to take the game on, I want to be a bit more aggressive, I want to hit the scoreboard but on the back of that, I want to continue the pressure of the defensive side of the game.

“I want to dictate to the opposition. I don’t want them to dictate to us.”

Teague reflected on the last time he headed up his own side, coaching the Northern Bullants at the end of his playing career from 2008 to 2010.

Now with another opportunity at the helm, the Blues’ caretaker will be drawing on the experience heading into the remainder of the season.

“I grew so much in that time and it’s something that I think has really helped my coaching for the last seven years,” he said of his tenure with Bullants.

“I’m going to reflect on that. I’m going to use some of the skills I learnt there and hopefully we can jell together like the Bullants did back when I coached them.”