RESET the mind and the body. 

That was Senior Coach Michael Voss’ message to players and coaches alike before the bye weekend.

Coming off a comprehensive win over the Suns, Voss was pleased that they could head into their mid-season break with four points in their pocket.

But now with the Hawks to come and training well and truly back underway, Voss said the Blues couldn't afford to rest on their laurels.

“Early signs have been really good and being able to have that break and come into the break with the four points: it was a bit of smiles on faces, it makes a difference,” he said.  

“We had that ability to regenerate the body and mind as a priority and now we have a clear focus, which is getting after the Hawks – they’ve got a style and a brand that can challenge teams.” 

Reflecting on their last game, the coach was pleased with how his side produced an "unselfish" brand of football – a trait he hopes they can continue to value moving forward. 

With the approach at the contest at the forefront of Carlton’s win, Voss urged his team to continue making the most of opportunities when they arose and be combative with and without the ball.

“I felt like our pressure and our contest stuff was fantastic – we got after them hard and it wasn’t just about one particular quarter, it was sustained throughout the whole four quarters,” he said. 

“What was a real point of difference for us last game was that we took a selfless approach in the way that we played: we all took our turn when it was our turn and the mids did that, the forwards did that and the backs were able to build that cohesiveness that we’ve been after.”

Referencing the threat that is Hawthorn, the AFL Senior Coach expects that his side is ready to be challenged and hopes that any areas that need to be cleaned up are done quickly and efficiently. 

Having pulled off some big scalps in the first half of the season - including Brisbane and St Kilda - the Blues must bring their best when they come up against the Hawks at the MCG.

“[Hawthorn is] a very threatening and a very dangerous team – they’ve got a genuine mode that can really challenge you,” he said.

“It will put some real tension on our defence, so we have to be right up with that. I’ve spoken a lot about the pressure already and what we create around the ball but that has to be absolutely A-grade against this team.

“They transition the ball really well out of the back half so our defence will have to go beyond. If we want the looks we want, we will have to be on.”