FOR Blake Acres, Sunday will mark his first Carlton game against Essendon. 

On Friday at the MCG, he was standing next to Lance Whitnall, a man who has done it many times before in the Navy Blue — 21 times, in fact.

With the King’s Birthday Rivalry Clash marking the 252nd occasion the two teams have met, there’s plenty on the line - for both side - when the ball is bounced at 7:15pm tomorrow night.

This is what they had to say.

Acres on the message this week:

“We’ve had a really good week at the Club with a really clear game plan going into this game. We’re as well prepared as we can be. Essendon is going pretty well at the moment, so we’ll focus on what we can bring. We’re looking forward to it.”

Acres on the magnitude of external noise:

“It’s probably something new to me. I haven’t really had that at the past clubs I was at. There was a lot of expectation coming into Carlton at the start of the season, and we haven’t lived up to them. A lot of our fans are angry at how we’re going and frustrated, and you do feel that a little bit. 

“The biggest thing is I didn’t realise how big Carlton was until the season started. In games, I can get distracted by that sort of thing. I’ve gone back to what I’ve done in the past and focus on what I bring each week, trying to make it really simple for myself.

“As a group, we’ve really come together the last few weeks - even though we haven’t got the results - and spoken about coming together as a group and controlling what we can control. That’s what we’ll do on Sunday and that’s our main focus.”

Acres on the conversations throughout the week:

“It’s a bit of everything. We’ve had some good chats about how guys are feeling, game day, during the week, things we can do better and opportunities we have going into games for the season. 

“We’ve simplified it and trying to put the external noise away, because it is really loud at the moment. We’ve got some good players and experienced guys we’re going to lean on. We’ll get into Sunday and have a real crack.”

Acres on the rivalry stakes:

“You don’t want to make the game bigger than what it is each week. You’ve got a whole season to play and each week you’re taking it as best you can. You’re not going to go 90 per cent one week and then 100 per cent against your rivals: you want to be putting your best foot forward every week. We’ve spoken about our focuses, what they bring and how we can beat them this week.”

Whitnall on standing alongside Dustin Fletcher:

“The good days, back in ’97! He started at the other end from memory. But I think I got him at some stage during the game [on debut]. 

Whitnall on the next phase of the Carlton-Essendon rivalry:

“You look at both sides and they’ve very young. I think over the next 10-15 years, they’re going to have some great clashes like the old days. I’m looking forward to seeing these two teams over the next 10 years.”

Whitnall on the importance of momentum:

“It hasn’t to date yet, but speaking to Blake before, the next few games are crucial. A win on Sunday against the Bombers and we’re right back in the hunt. 

“We’re not getting the wins and not in the eight at the moment, but it’s just fine-tuning yet: it’s not a big wheel turn that you have to do or reverse anything, you just need to fine-tune some little things and get those wins on the board and momentum will come. 

“Only a little bit of momentum is needed, it’s huge in football these days. Once a team gets it and gets a run on, they’re pretty hard to stop. Our boys, once they got a couple of wins and get some momentum, they’ll be a really good side. I’m hoping they come out on Sunday, put their best foot forward, get those four points and get the monkey off the back.”

Whitnall on his involvement with the Club:

“I try to get to most games I can, around 8-9 a year I’m definitely there. I show some interest and get down to the Club when I can to support.”

Whitnall on current goalkicking struggles:

“It is hard. That’s a momentum thing once again: if you miss them, you start doubting yourself and you start thinking ‘am I going to kick this one?’ or ‘what’s going to happen if I miss it?’. 

“The boys have got to go back, be positive, tell themselves they’re kicking this goal and do it. It’s about a positive mindset. They don’t have to change their routine too much, as long as they get their own routine and stick to it.”