"IT'S really black and white for us: if we win, we’re in and if we lose, we’re out.”

Daniel O’Keefe is keeping things simple ahead of what has the makings of a high-stakes clash with Collingwood at the MCG on Sunday.

The scenario surrounding the game is eerily similar to the AFL side’s equation, with both the senior and reserves teams’ finals chances coming down to the final round of the home and away season.  

While other results can make the task a little easier, O’Keefe says the focus is primarily on securing a victory on the MCG.

“We’ll keep an eye on [other results], but when we get to the ground tomorrow we’re just turning up to play to win and take the four points,” he said.

“This is why you play footy: to play in these types of games. It’s not just because it’s a big game against a big rival, but we set out at the start of the year to play finals footy. Yes, we’ve had some challenges along the journey but now we get to showcase it on the home of footy and it’s so exciting.

“I’m really pleased and glad that our players and our staff get the opportunity to be at the ’G, because if we were to be able to get across the line and play finals footy, then where else would you rather be able to have that success?”  

Both Carlton’s AFL and VFL sides sit in eighth position heading into their respective clashes with Collingwood on Sunday.

With so much on the line, O’Keefe believes that the Carlton Reserves have a larger role to play than just qualifying for the VFL finals.

“We’re playing for something that’s maybe also a little bit greater than ourselves, and that’s to help support not just our VFL but our AFL program for the day,” he said.

“What a positive sense of fulfilment we’d have if we were to be able to help kickstart the day off in a shining light with a really good performance, so that’s part of playing for a bit more than just ourselves and we’ll certainly have that in the back of our minds.”

Despite coming into the game off the back of a 16-point loss, the confidence taken from pushing the undefeated Casey Demons right to the siren is not lost on O’Keefe.

“It was a really unique feeling post the game against Casey. Although it was a loss, there’s a sense of belief that came from that game because we pushed them the whole way,” he said.

“And we did it in a way that was a finals-like type game, from a contested point of view we had 96 tackles which is an outstanding number and it sort of talks to the contest.

“We went plus 18 in clearances between the arcs against a really good solid midfield, that’s the most clearances differential we had against any team all year and we did it against maybe the best midfield in the competition, there’s so much belief and confidence to take out of that.”

O’Keefe is also excited to see the Navy Blue army out in force at the MCG and hopes that the Bluebaggers make plenty of noise to support both the VFL side and the AFL outfit tomorrow.

“If I was to sort of ask a request to many of the Bluebaggers coming along, if you’re met with half the crowd being Collingwood, just make a little bit more noise than them then that will certainly help us lift a little bit extra.”

You can catch the Carlton Reserves clash with Collingwood from 11:45am at the MCG: your ticket to the AFL game at 3:20pm grants entry to the VFL action.

Tarquin Oakley is a student at La Trobe University, undergoing his Bachelor of Media and Communications (Sports Journalism). He is currently undertaking an internship at the Carlton Football Club as part of its partnership with La Trobe University.