NON-NEGOTIABLE. 

Carlton AFL Senior Coach Michael Voss is adamant that his focus is firmly on the way his side plays, not what potentially lies ahead. 

Having a ‘laser focus’ on training standards, effort on game day and playing the contest with enough pressure, Voss definitely isn’t going to let his side rest on a few good performances over the last month. 

Speaking to the media at his press conference on Friday, Voss assured that no one had higher expectations of the team than themselves. 

“Our conversations lie within how we play, and we put that on a pedestal more than anything else,” Voss said. 

“We’ve gone to work pretty hard and we have a lot clearer picture of what [our identity] looks like, but that doesn’t mean we’re fixed. 

“We’ve been able to make some ground over the last month, but we’ve got a lot of work ahead of us – we can’t take anything for granted what we’ve been able to do and we’ve got a laser focus on our next opponent.” 

With the next opponent being West Coast at Marvel Stadium, the Blues’ midfield has had a restructure with a few key outs. 

Patrick Cripps and Adam Cerra won’t play in the Round 19 clash, with Matt Kennedy and Marc Pittonet already on the sidelines. 

Ed Curnow and Paddy Dow will come in to make up for the absences, with Voss confident that they would be able to fill the holes left by some quality midfielders. 

“It’s about replacing the roles and then backing those guys in to get the job done,” he said. 

“We feel like we have enough depth in that area to do that: you’ve seen ‘Dowy’, he can step in and get that job done, and we think he’s extremely ready to do that.

“The movement hasn’t come off one or two individuals, it’s come off a collective mindset approach.”

Also returning to the side will be Ollie Hollands and Lachie Cowan, with the young duo featuring heavily in the early part of the season. 

Impressing at VFL level and being able to fulfil crucial roles, Voss backed in the first-year Blues, referencing their determination and willingness to help their team.  

“I love Lachie: he’s raw but at the same time, he’s got such power and he’s got great size about him – you’ll never have to worry about his toughness,” he said. 

“[Hollands] spent a bit of time in the VFL doing a few different roles, but I feel like that’s the next stage in his progression. 

“He started his AFL career as a wingman, he may spend a bit more time [in the midfield] but his growth comes from being able to play different positions.” 

No doubt buoyed by its victory over Port Adelaide, keeping things in perspective will still be critical for Carlton as it prepares for a clash with West Coast.

Now they’ve found some form, keeping it going will be the next challenge for the Blues. 

“I think our confidence comes from what we’re able to do: I think that starts at training and being really clear on what we need to be able to do,” he said.

“What we have been able to do over the last few weeks - because of the results we’ve got - is get a crystal-clear picture on the way we want to play. 

“Our next challenge is to ensure the standards are there and hold ourselves to that standard and we don’t negotiate anything.”