STARTING strong. 

That will be the Blues’ approach as they fly into enemy territory to take on the Dockers. 

Having a successful outing to Optus Stadium earlier in the year was the furthest thing from AFL Senior Coach Michael Voss’ mind as he fronted the media on Friday morning, thinking only of the game ahead.

While starting off on the right foot is always important, Voss said that was even truer when playing on another team’s home ground. 

“I think every time you want to go to an opposition's ground, you want to start well, you want to make sure you have the right intensity around the ball,” Voss said.

“It just makes it really hard if you’re going into a different environment from a negative position – the intention is always to start well, but it becomes a little bit more important when you play away.” 

Fremantle’s ruck strengths will be a focus for the Blues on Sunday evening, but Voss is hoping that competing to the best of their ability in the contest will allow their midfielders to get to work at the fall of the ball. 

Lauding the performance of Jack Silvagni last week (who replaced Marc Pittonet), Voss was hoping for another strong performance, where Silvagni makes an impact in all areas of the ground. 

“[Fremantle has] two great ruckmen – [Luke] Jackson hasn’t played much in the ruck recently but they can push forward and kick goals as well, it’s something we’ll have to be across,” he said.  

“I felt last week certainly with ‘SOS’ and ‘Youngy’, the way they were able to compete in there gave our mids an opportunity on the floor and that’s all we ask our players to do.

“I thought [Silvagni’s] performance was really good – he not only competed in the ruck but when he went forward, he provided another option for us there and his work on the floor was really impressive.”

Not putting too much stock in the last two wins, Voss reiterated that the importance of each game was the same, not placing too much importance on one over another. 

Despite having two back-to-back 10-goal victories, what pleased Voss the most out of those games was the selflessness of the group and the ability to play consistent and on-brand football. 

“Making sure that we stay really unified and connected when we go over to Perth is really important to us,” he said. 

“We’ve got another fanbase over there that will come out and support us as much as they can and we’ve got to transfer that onto the field and keep that real selfless behaviour on the field.

“If you have real humility as a football team, then you can get after the next team you play and we’ve still got lots to work on in our game.”

One thing that has changed in recent weeks is Carlton’s forward mix, with Lachie Fogarty, Jack Martin and David Cuningham all fit and firing, allowing the forward line-up to change. 

Noting their ability to have an immediate impact, Voss said that having those three have really changed the dynamic and how Carlton entered its forward 50 – an area of struggle before the bye. 

“They’ve been the three that have come in and just changed what the forward line looks like and they’ve all had an impact, which is really pleasing to see,” he said. 

“To see how they’ve translated that and the difference they’ve made to us in the front half has been pretty significant – we want them fit and healthy and in good form, because they add a lot to us.” 

With the milestone of Charlie Curnow’s 100 games also a factor in this week’s game, Voss was asked whether he expected another nine-goal showing from the 26-year-old as a birthday present for the AFL Senior Coach.

“I won’t say no,” he joked.  

“I think the reality is that you look at some of the behaviour of Harry [McKay] and Charlie over the last few games and how selfless they’ve been – it’s been impressive.

"We understand Fremantle has a damaging game and we’re also walking into their territory and we have to respect that so it’s going to take our very best to get the job done."