FOLLOWING a hectic week in terms of scheduling, Carlton has settled in New South Wales ready to face Sydney on Sunday.
After originally being scheduled to fly out to the Harbour City on Saturday, an array of phone calls on Tuesday night saw the Blues' players, coaches and staff in the air by Wednesday at 4pm.
Senior Coach David Teague believes that the events from last year have made this easier on his group, now knowing that they can handle sudden changes with COVID restrictions.
“After last year, our guys have adapted really well,” Teague said.
“There’s a little bit of unknown with the games and how long we’ll be gone for but after last year, I think the AFL as an industry have become quite flexible with these challenges.”
This weekend marks the first of two Sir Doug Nicholls Rounds across the AFL, while also doubling up as Sydney's annual Marn Grook game. The clash will see two of the all-time greats of the game on either side.
At one end will be the in-form Eddie Betts, who has kicked as many goals in his last four games than he did in the preceding 16.
At the other will be Lance Franklin, fresh off of a six-goal haul last weekend. Teague noted that it will be up to Jacob Weitering or Liam Jones to defend the star forward, depending on his movement throughout the day.
“Jacob Weitering is obviously the guy who’s gone to most of the opposition's first forward but having said that, Liam Jones the last couple of times has played pretty well against him,” he said.
“We’ll have a look where he plays, he can get right up the ground at times and other days he plays closer to goal, so we’ll have a look at what he’s doing but it’ll be between those two guys who gets the majority of time on him.”
Teague pointed out the speed in transition that he’s witnessed from the young Swans side, with limiting their forward 50 entries going to be the main target on the back of Carlton's team defence.
“They’re probably kicking the ball from their defensive 50 to their forward line quicker than they have in the past which gives these guys a little bit more space,” he said.
“They’ve got plenty of threats, they’ve got [Luke] Parker as well who can go forward, midfielders who hit the scoreboard, so we have to make sure our team defence is really strong and we can try and limit the amount of supply they get into their front half.”
One thing that will help Carlton in the speed department, as well as delivery into the forward 50, will be the addition of Jack Martin, who is expected to return this week.
Recovering from a knee injury, Martin has been training well over the last couple of weeks, with Teague hoping he is ready to rejoin the side against Sydney.
“He trained really well yesterday so hopefully he’s recovered,” he said.
“We’re really excited: he’s been pretty tough in the contest for us, he hits the scoreboard and it’ll be great to have him back out there.”
