Blues ready for Freo's best
Shaun Grigg says Carlton is planning for Fremantle's best regardless of how many changes it makes for Friday night's clash
There has been much intrigue surrounding the number of changes Freo might make after resting seven players for last week’s trip to Launceston, but Grigg said his club had wasted little time trying to predict the final make-up of their side.
“We’ve definitely planned for their best,” Grigg said before boarding a flight to Perth on Wednesday.
“It’s a massive game for both clubs. We both have to win and they’ll come out fit and firing and we’ll have our work cut out for us.
“That’s totally up to them [how many changes they make]. They can worry about what they’re going to do, but all we can worry about is what we’re going to produce and the team we’re going to put out on the park.”
Harvey confirmed on Wednesday that all seven players rested from the side thrashed by Hawthorn would be back for the clash, with Aaron Sandilands also set to return from injury. Paul Hasleby (knee), Hayden Ballantyne (foot), Alex Silvagni (groin) and Ryan Crowley (knee) will also be considered.
Fremantle defeated Carlton at Etihad Stadium in round 13, but Grigg is confident the Blues have improved a lot since then.
Brett Ratten’s men can secure a home final if they defeat Fremantle and either the Sydney Swans or Hawthorn loses on Saturday, but Grigg said the group had tried to not to complicate things too much.
“All we can do is play our game and win,” he said.
“A finals campaign beckons for us, but it all depends on the results this week [to determine] who we play and where.”
Grigg has been the subject of persistent rumours linking him to the Gold Coast throughout a season in which he struggled to break into the senior side, but he would not be drawn on his playing future on Wednesday.
“My contract talks have been off until the end of the year, so I’ll finish off the year and that will look after itself,” he said.
Grigg backed Robbie Warnock, the subject of a high-profile trade between the clubs two years ago, to take up the challenge against his old teammate Sandilands in one of the pivotal duels of the match.