ALL eyes will be firmly set on Carlton’s crucial clash with Collingwood when the two teams run out in front of a sell-out crowd at the MCG in Round 20.
In the games of the round, it will be up to the Blues to take down the top-of-the table Pies and extend their own winning streak and heighten momentum in the final stages of the season.
It has been a much-improved Carlton outfit over the last six weeks, looking to have turned the page on a disappointing mid-season slump to improve their record to 9-8-1 to now sit in ninth position.
Speaking to the media ahead of the important game, Carlton CEO Brian Cook complimented the team on their ability to turn the season around and return the Blues to a competitive position in the back half of the season.
“Over the last five or six weeks, particularly over the last two or three weeks, we have demonstrated how we’ve improved,” Cook said.
“Through the contested ball, our defence, our effectiveness inside 50 - all of those things have improved dramatically.
“I think we’ve done very well and proved ourselves to some extent over the last six weeks. The next six weeks is going to be important.”
Carlton’s run home will provide several challenges for the group.
Key games against top-eight teams Melbourne and St Kilda await, before a trip to Queensland to take on Gold Coast and a final-round showdown with the in-form Greater Western Sydney at home.
Despite injuries to some key Blues at a less-than-ideal time, the ‘next-man-up’ mentality and a mindset of being the teammate possible is something different which Cook believes will allow the time to rise under pressure.
The odds were further stacked against the Blues with injuries to key players such as Sam Walsh, Harry McKay and Jack Silvagni coming at a less than ideal time.
“We’re excited about the challenge, playing the best team in the competition this year,” he said.
“We’ll measure up against them, we hope, in a really positive way. We’ve had a few out with injury, we’ve had a few in - five or six changes.
“Our depth is certainly being challenged but, we’re all looking forward to testing ourselves.”
One player likely to run out with a spring in his step is young ruck Tom De Koning, who will be on cloud nine after putting rumours to bed and signing a two-year contract extension to remain at Carlton.
The 24-year old repaid the faith shown in his development by the Club, electing to stay put at IKON Park and continue playing with the teammates who hold him in such high esteem.
Cook highlighted his pleasure in the Club’s list-management strategy, enabling the Blues to keep their best young talent including De Koning, who he believes fans were still yet to see the best of.
“It’s outstanding,” he said.
“It happened quick in the end … we were really pleased that it gathered momentum over the last 48 to 72 hours. We’re very pleased we got Tom - Tom is pleased.”
De Koning’s signature was not the only one which had Cook smiling on Friday morning at IKON Park.
The Blues also announced an important extension with long-term partners La Trobe University, who committed their support to the Club for an additional five years.
Fittingly speaking from the Carlton College of Sport, Cook shared his excitement for the future of the partnership, its importance to the Club and how the two plan to grow together for many years to come.
“It’s a great integration for us into education,” Cook said on the partnership
“We’re in the business for education and it’s a win-win for both of us.
“It’s a great integration and it improves the organisation.”
