PREPARING to face Adelaide this weekend, Senior Coach David Teague wants the Blues to focus on connection and finishing in front of goal.

After a few missed opportunities in prior rounds, Teague noted it was a big focus of the side to keep their composure and decision-making for four quarters. 

Unsurprisingly, Teague said the Blues were out for a four-quarter performance in the penultimate game of the home-and-away season.

However, he said the ability to fight out close games - which the Blues are no strangers to - was a big positive to take out of the 2020 season. 

“You can train it, but until you’re out there and have to make the decisions, the fact that we’ve been in those games, it gives us a chance not only to experience it but then also review it and continue to improve on it,” he said. 

“Let’s hope down the track there’s a big game, a big final and our boys stay calm like they have on most occasions and they get the job done when it really matters.

“That’s what we’re preparing for and I think our players are continually getting better in those situations.”  

Facing the newly rejuvenated Adelaide Crows this weekend, Teague noted that their improvement was on the radar.

While mindful of the side that has won its last two games, Teague maintained the mantra of focusing on what his own team can control going into the clash. 

“ [Adelaide] has probably changed its game style: they’ve brought their older heads back in through the middle of the ground, they share the ball quite well, they’ve been good in the contest,” he said.  

“We’ll understand their strengths, particularly as a coaching group and as a playing group but we’ll focus on our strengths. We want to win the ball, get the ball in our front half and keep it there so that’s what our focus will be.”  

Speaking on the retirement of Carlton veteran Matthew Kreuzer, Teague was full of pride and kind words about the ruckman, noting that his hard work would never be forgotten. 

“What he’s done for this football club… he’s been asked a lot of in that sense. He’s had little niggles, he gets back up and because he’s such a competitor, you trust him to go out there and get the job done,” he said. 

“For our players we talked about who are the sort of guys you want to play with and follow: Matthew Kreuzer is one of those guys."

Kreuzer will remain in the hub to continue his “semi-coaching” role, which Teague and the coaching group have found valuable in these challenging times. 

“I know particularly Tom [De Koning] and Marc [Pittonet] have learned a lot from him, I’ve got no doubt Levi [Casboult] as well when he plays in the ruck is talking to Matthew,” he said. 

“This year in challenging circumstances when you’re laying off staff, we’ve had quite a few players - Nic Newman and Charlie Curnow as well - that have stepped up into semi-coaching roles for players around them and it keeps them engaged and they’ve been great.”