AFL SENIOR Coach Michael Voss was firm on the team's focus heading into its blockbuster clash with Collingwood.
Stating "anything less than our best is not going to get the job done – that’s regardless of what opponent we’re playing", Voss was clear on the areas that were being worked on and the mindset of the players heading into the match with the old enemy.
Noting some progress in certain areas so far this season, Voss hopes that the transfer from the training ground to game day will be seen consistently, week in and week out, to kickstart performance.
"We understand we have to earn the right: no one is going to give us the opportunity and we have to make sure we keep celebrating those little moments as we go," he said.
"They’ll compound over time and we hope that they’ll compound over time to be able to get us back into the form we need."
Stating that any differences in method starts at training, Voss said the group have been delivering sessions with strong intensity while honing in on focus areas which have been provided in recent weeks.
Noting the team's efficiency going forward hasn't quite clicked in the last month, both in offensive transition and taking opportunities in front of goal, Voss said what was key was not straying from their main objectives and focusing in on what's important.
"I don’t think you want to become inconsistent in your approach week to week: you want to be backing in what you’re doing and certainly getting enough time on our game in certain areas," he said.
"If the scoreboard isn’t ticking over, don’t get discouraged, stick to what we’re doing. If that means we need to defend a little longer, then that’s what we’ll do."
The rivalry between Carlton and Collingwood is not lost on anyone in the footballing world, particularly not within the walls at IKON Park.
Having past players come in and speak on the history of the rivalry and the importance of playing for the jumper, Voss said there was always some extra feeling when coming up against the old enemy . . . regardless of recent meetings between the two sides.
"There was certainly a lot of theatre to both games, they were extremely close finishes," he said.
"We spent some time with some past players who are forever reminding us of the importance of what these games are and how the rivalry has existed – that history is really long, so that’s part of the story.
"The next part for us is how we turn up and how we want to play well against what it is a really good opposition."
The Blues will take on the Pies in front of a packed MCG on Sunday at 3:20pm (AEST).
