“IT WILL take our best - our absolute best - to get the job done.”
Speaking to media on Thursday morning, AFL Senior Coach Michael Voss was clear and concise on what his side needed to do to give themselves the best possible chance against Melbourne.
To be played in front of a heaving MCG, Voss knows the game will be decided in the contest and not be swayed by the external narrative around either side leading into the second week of September action.
This game and finals football is all largely based on contest and defence so we have to set up the fundamentals of our game if we want to be a chance,” Voss said.
“We’re not lost in the narrative around the game: we’ve got to get our hands dirty and get the job done, we have to look at the threats that Melbourne bring and the level that we need to play at.”
The threat of Max Gawn is an obvious danger to the Blues, with the six-time All-Australian ruckman causing issues for the AFL's best for a number of years.
Voss acknowledged the very real risk of Gawn breaking the game open, but also backed in the system and structures that have been drilled into his side since day one.
“He’s an incredible player, a genuine star for them and we’ve seen how important he is, not just as a captain, but as the role he plays and the presence he brings,” he said.
“I know what he can do and what threat he provides – our rucks are going to have their hands full and we’ll have to try an even-up that match up where possible.”
How Carlton structures up going forward is a key point of contention leading into the game, with Harry McKay ruled out due to a concussion while Jack Martin (suspension) is unavailable.
Jack Silvagni - who is available this weekend to play football - won't be ready for the semi final: the forward would've featured at VFL level if there was a scratch match this weekend.
Asked about the likes of Mitch McGovern and Matthew Kennedy featuring in attack, Voss was confident in whatever forward mix the Blues select for this weekend, ensuring that it would once again take a collective effort against the likes of Jake Lever and Steven May.
“We’ll weigh up the roles we need played: clearly having an aerial presence is going to be really important,” he said.
“There are a couple of players down there that go well in the intercept game and they defend as well as any team in the competition: it’ll be a tightly fought match and we’ll have to take those opportunities when we can.”
Melbourne is no stranger to finals, having been involved in September for the last three years, winning their drought-breaking premiership in 2021.
While Carlton might be "the new kids on the block", Voss said the reality of Melbourne's finals experience and cohesion as a team wasn't lost on the Blues, but last week's victory had them wanting more.
“[Melbourne have] had an established system for a period of time and there’s always a slightly different emphasis that they might have on something from a week-to-week basis,” he said.
“They’re a high-quality football side, they’ve shown a level of consistency across a season that says they’re a genuine threat and they’ve been premiership favourites at different stages of the season so we know what we’re walking into.
"To be able to go into last week and see the excitement and joy and smiles on our fans, to see the players and the reward they got from that, how can that not make you hungrier? How can that not make you want more of that?"
