CARLTON’S playing group is just taking each day of September as it comes.
Despite having the least amount of finals experience of the top-eight sides, the Blues have no shortage of being exposed to big games, with six crowds of over 80,000 people in the last two years alone.
Across his two clubs, Jack Martin is one of those current-day Blues who is yet to experience football at the business end of the year — but he’s not treating that as a point of concern.
Rather, he’s welcoming it for all it’s worth, in what will also be his 50th game as a Blue.
“We’re stepping in, let’s embrace it, play the way we want to play: whatever happens happens,” Martin told RSN.
“Everyone is excited and there’s a real buzz around the area. The local cafe that I go to, the owner is a Carlton supporter.
“There’s Carlton supporters everywhere you go and there’s a good feel around . . . we’re looking forward to Friday night.”
In Carlton’s last home-and-away game against GWS, the Blues had just five players with September experience, but that’s not dictating any part of the team’s preparation for a long-awaited return this Friday night.
Under Michael Voss, the team has been playing what they believe to be a finals brand of footy, based off of contest and pressure. It was the backbone for the Blues’ return to form in the middle of the season, and Martin said they wouldn’t fluctuate or deviate from what’s been their trademark in recent months.
Did the faith ever waver?
“Definitely not,” he said.
“If you watch ‘Vossy’s’ press conferences in the first half of the season, he was so consistent with his messaging. It was on the back our contest and defence, and we weren’t shying away from that.
“We were very poor in the first half of the season in those areas. To be able to go away, be really clear on what was needed and have clarity in our roles on what needed to be executed, that turned our season around. I love the contest, I love competing.”
September footy is in the air, and you can't wipe the smile off of Patrick Cripps' face :)
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) September 2, 2023
As is the case in all finals, there’ll be the time for any and every Blue to make their mark on the contest. For Martin, the message is simple.
“Be ready for your moment, be ready to own it.
“Ash Hansen brought it up the other day talking about the Western Bulldogs and all the moments they went through during their run in 2016. A lot of little moments pop up throughout finals series: it wasn’t a particular player, it was more about being ready.”
And he nominated one individual who he thinks will relish the conditions of September football.
“I think the captain is primed and ready to go.”