CARLTON’S stirring come from behind win over Port Adelaide in round 11 was an important one for Brett Ratten’s young playing group and the Blues’ coach believes Saturday’s return bout at Telstra Dome could prove just as pivotal.
“It’s a must-win for us. We’re running out of chances to keep our season alive, and this is a big game for us at home against Port,” Ratten said from Princes Park on Wednesday.
“It probably did give us a lot of belief as a team, that we can come have comeback victories with those runs in last quarters. It was a real stepping stone for us.”
There was significant fallout from that match with Ratten trading barbs with Power coach Mark Williams after the shock 12-point win at AAMI Stadium, which only added further spice to a contest already fired up by the Chad Cornes-Brendan Fevola verbal joust.
“That sort of happened pre-game and a then a little bit after, but I suppose that’s the banter of footy. It creates great rivalry between teams when coaches have a few words or players do,” Ratten said playing down its significance.
“It makes the contest very interesting and adds a bit of spice; I think it’s good for footy.”
The Blues upset the grand final-bound Power in round 11 last season and Ratten agreed the undermanned South Australian side was in a similar position to go for an upset.
“We got a free hit at them last year and they get a free hit at us this year,” he said.
“They’ve got nothing to lose, with a young list and players fighting for careers.
“One aspect of their game that is still very similar is the speed in their team; they are very quick and they use the ball very well, they’re skillful and some players are really starting to find some form.”
Ratten said he had decided to forego the usual group video review following the frustrating loss to the Crows to instead concentrate on individual analysis.
“The assistant coaches usually do the individual tapes, but I got involved this week.
“I sat down with players and their tapes and we went through everything individually; we wiped out the team aspect of sitting back and watching the [poor] execution of the footy.”
Mercurial forward Eddie Betts will be given until Friday to prove his fitness after straining his hamstring during that match and may spend some time in a hyperbaric chamber in an effort to come up.
The selection panel will soon have more options to consider with the return of some key Blues in the VFL last week.
“We had Paul Bower back from injury and Ryan Houlihan back last week and Richard Hadley will play in our reserves this week, but they’re underdone,” Ratten said.
“Houlihan only played three quarters or just over half a game, Bower played a full game but might need the run again; that will be the debate at match committee.”
