There’s no doubt the intensity goes up a notch this week as we enter into our elimination final against Carlton. That intensity really peaks in the first 10 minutes and after that it becomes more like a normal game. At certain stages though, at crucial moments, the intensity will certainly lift again and our players need to be prepared for that. The cut throat nature of the game runs through everyone’s minds and that can really lift the tempo.
I think the biggest difference this week, compared to a home and way match, will be the build-up. All week it has been talked about and the media is looking at all the different scenarios. So far this week the frame of mind of the group has been really good, so I’m sure that the build-up and hype won’t affect them in any negative way, but obviously it’s natural and healthy for them to have a few nerves because it is a big game and a big opportunity.
We last met Carlton in Round 16 and scored a really good win. We got away to a fast start in that match, put them under pressure and didn’t let them back into the contest. What we take from that clash is the obvious - that we are capable of beating them and that we did it on the road, so there’s no reason why we can’t beat them on our home turf.
I think we can also take from that match that Carlton will be smarting a little from the loss, and that they will be determined to prove they are a better team than they showed on that day. We expect them to be better prepared for this Sunday’s match, and need to be ready for a tough contest.
Obviously their midfield is very strong. They’ve got a lot of talent in the midfield and there is no doubt that battle will be a key to winning the game.
Kieren Jack has really stepped up over the last month and is probably in his best form of the season, and is becoming a key midfielder for us, which is a testament to how quickly he has developed. He’s become a really good two-way running midfielder, so while he is winning his own ball, and setting up offensive plays - his defensive side is still a feature of his game. His ability to cover the ground so quickly is what makes him such a dynamic player at the moment. His kicking has improved as well, so he’s a lot more effective with his possessions and finishing off better - be it kicking goals or hitting the leading forwards.
Carlton’s small forward group of Eddie Betts, Chris Yarran and Jeff Garlett are another of their strengths. They are very quick and get up and down the ground. If you give them a chance to open up their forward line and run back into an open space inside their attacking 50, then they are a very difficult team to stop.
We will also be very mindful of one of Carlton’s strong traits, and that is that they are a side that keeps coming. Last week against Fremantle they were in a tough position at three-quarter time, but they really surged late, booting six goals to two in the final term. They play with a lot of energy, so if you give them a chance, they’ll score quickly. We will have to apply and maintain pressure on them for the entire game and at every contest.
Importantly, we have to get our rotations right as you can’t have any players getting too fatigued against these hard running teams, so we need to be really switched on with our player’s game minutes and make sure we have fresh legs out on the ground.
Despite Carlton’s strengths, the game very much lies in our own hands. We’re a one-on-one team and we play a contested brand of footy. Obviously wining the contested area of the game is crucial and really sets up all the other aspects of our game. Our match-ups and tactics really don’t have any great bearing unless we’re winning the contested footy. That will be our focus once again and it’s probably a mindset thing, because we know we’re capable of doing it.
While much has been said about playing at ANZ Stadium, we like playing there, and although we usually play the top teams out there which makes it a tough assignment, our finals record at the venue is pretty good. In our last final there, we beat North Melbourne in 2008, and prior to that won a preliminary final against Fremantle in 2006, and an elimination final against West Coast in 2004.
We’re looking forward to continuing our good form in front of a big red and white Swans crowd and hopefully extending our solid finals record.
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