IT WILL be a big game for the Blues this Sunday when they take on the Giants at Marvel Stadium.
For one, it has significant repercussions in the scheme of Carlton’s season with only five games play in the home-and-away season, but it also poses a challenge for the Blues that isn’t always easy.
In the 10 years that Greater Western Sydney have been in the AFL competition, the Blues have taken on the Giants 13 times, emerging victorious on only four of these occasions.
In fact, their Round 9 win earlier in the year was the first win they have had in five meetings with the Giants, and the Blues will be looking to replicate this strong performance on Sunday afternoon.
AFL Senior Coach Michael Voss is confident that the Blues will be up for the fight, hoping that they can play their way for long enough to get the job done.
“We feel like if we get our game up and running, that should be enough to get the job done,” Voss said.
“Against Geelong, that’s probably where the lesson was learnt: how do we stick it out for longer and really stick to our method and realise that every single opposition will bring their unique challenges.
“We have to see it, adapt to it but still go about it our way.”
While the Giants haven't had the best fortnight, they have had a free-flowing style of play under interim coach Mark McVeigh, resulting in some big scores under his tenure since Round 10.
Voss admits the lineup will look a bit different than what they would usually expect from the Giants, but was adamant that his side will adjust to whatever they were thrown at.
“What we will face is a forward six that is quite different from what they’ve had in the past,” he said.
“Our defensive back six or seven have to adapt to what’s in front of them.”
Voss also gave a nod to the Giants’ strengths, with Sam Taylor enjoying an impressive run of form while also boasting talent in all areas of the ground.
“The Giants haven’t had as good a two weeks as what they would like but clearly they’re moving the ball pretty powerfully when they need to. They’ve got some really damaging players there that when they get on the end of it – they can really challenge you,” he said.
“It’s a really important game for us. Clearly the Giants is our next challenge, and also how we respond is our next challenge after last week and how do we take those learnings and put them into this one.”
On the learnings, Voss admitted there was a fair bit to review coming out of the Geelong clash from last Friday, pointing out the Cats' maturity and experience.
Voss noted there wasn’t just one area that the Blues fell down in, but that they have a strong focus across the board to keep their game plan front of mind.
“I’d like to sit here and say there was one particular thing that we took away, but the reality is that [Geelong] demanded your system to be right on for four quarters and if you’re not, they’ll capitalise on those mistakes and they’ll score,” he said.
“The challenge for us is how do we stay on us and how do we execute it for a little longer.
“We strayed at times through the game because Geelong asked more questions of us and we strayed and they capitalised on those moments and we couldn’t capitalise the other way.
