A CHANCE to regroup and reset.

Adamant that recent form will be the making of his team in the long run, AFL Senior Coach Michael Voss has been pleased with the way his side has put their heads down over the course of a nine-day break, focusing on the upcoming challenge of arch rival Essendon.

The extended layoff between games (the Blues played three games in 12 days prior to this round) has come at a good time, allowing the team greater time and energy to pull elements of their game together.

“We’ve had some more continuity, so it gives you a chance to get a breath from one week to the next and also gives you a body of work to complete through training,” Voss said when speaking to media on Thursday morning.

“You can go to work on some of those things that we want to improve on and bring to our next game, it gives a bit of space to work on that.” 

After a string of losses, all eyes will be on the King’s Birthday rivalry clash on Sunday evening, as the Blues run out for their 252nd clash with the Bombers in VFL/AFL history.

Referencing commentary on the Blues’ ball movement from previous weeks, Voss admitted that playing with more dare and flair was of greater focus.

“We accept that within any plan that you put forward that there has to be an element of risk and reward,” he said. 

“If there’s opportunities to take the game on, then we do, but also be well considered when we need to as well.” 

Despite time in the spotlight in recent weeks, the Club isn't going to let the external noise distract them from the task at hand, according to the AFL Senior Coach.

What Voss was most proud of was the way the players have bound together through this time of adversity and have worked as a group to stay connected and united as a team. 

“I’ve been impressed with the playing group that despite some results not going the way we want, despite there being some added commentary around us, despite some things about what they think is happening – we’ve been sticking to our task and the players are getting after that challenge,” he said. 

"We have to spend our energy in the right areas.

“I just know at the other end of this is going to be a really strong united group and very clear on what we need to get done.” 

There's no love lost between this weekend's opponents, with Voss acknowledging the emotion behind the rivalry would be something that's embraced.

“Even if you’re not talking about [the rivalry], the players are, the fans are: it's something that goes a bit deeper than just the individual. You understand that as a player, you invest in something that is bigger than yourself, whether that's for the jumper, for the Club, for your teammate,” he said. 

“There’s a genuine history between these two teams, clearly that history is not well liked to each other, so we're happy enough to step into that.

“I’m really looking forward to this Sunday’s game. We’ll go out and put out the best version of ourselves against a really great rival that we’ve had over such a long period of time.”