DAVID Teague featured on AFL 360 last night, talking about how his side has started to build more confidence. 

While the Blues didn’t have the best start against the Pies, Teague noted that the ability to shift their mindset and intent helped them open up the game in the third and fourth term. 

“I thought the third quarter was where the game shifted and we didn’t capitalise on the scoreboard and we probably gave them one late which was disappointing,” Teague said.

“In the last quarter, we got the reward from our effort. We got the ball pinned in our half and we got the ball in there quickly which was really good.” 

With Carlton being in close games often but unable to close them out, it was a huge confidence booster for the side to be able to finish the game with a win, something that Teague has been wanting to work on in 2021. 

“Our offensive game is probably not quite as strong as it was earlier in the year but from a defensive side, we’re a bit more connected, we’re defending as one,” he said. 

“Even with just a bit of continuity between our playing group, you can see the guys like Adam Saad and Zac Williams starting to feel at home and understanding the guys around them.” 

Teague noted that while it was a win on the weekend, it couldn't just be one game, and that the remaining weeks of the home-and-away season could show the external footy world of the investment from all involved at IKON Park.

“We played some quality footy against good teams earlier in the year and didn’t get the results, so that was the frustration,” he said. 

“The last few weeks, we’ve started to play a little bit better, so to get those results, to get the four points and to show that we’re on the right track and there’s a lot of belief within the playing group: within the way we’re going about things, I think gives us a lot of confidence going forward.” 

A huge highlight from the game was Sam Walsh’ performance, which earned a perfect 10 in the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year award for his 39-disposal (a career-high) showing which also contained a vital goal in the final term.

Teague had nothing but glowing reviews when asked about the youngster’s 2021 campaign, praising his ability to set the standard. 

“If you watch the way he trains, he turned up at our football club and changed the standards of our training and that transfers onto the oval,” he said. 

“I know his teammates love playing with him and he loves being a part of this next generation of midfielders coming through our football Club.

“He’s playing well, his consistency is quite incredible, he turns up every week and that comes of the back of work rate: he gets to as many contests as he can and he’s got a passion to carry this footy club along with Jacob [Weitering], ‘Crippa’ and Harry McKay.