A CHALLENGE, a chance.
In what shapes as one of the games of the weekend on a super Saturday of football, the test is clear for the Blues in their upcoming match with the undefeated Giants on Saturday.
Coming off the back of a narrow two-point loss to Adelaide which ended its own perfect start to the campaign, Carlton's players are aware of the upcoming challenge — but according to Nic Newman, speaking to Sam McClure on 3AW, it's a test they're up for.
Once again under the roof at Marvel Stadium, the Blues will be looking to bring their own weapons against arguably the best-attacking outfit in the competition.
“We feel like we’ve learnt those valuable lessons [last year] and our game is fairly in order, in terms of the way we defend and being able to score,” Newman said.
“While there is some urgency in how we want to play and respond after the weekend, there is a calmness that we know what we’re going to do.”
On the Giants themselves, the defender noted there is a reason they’re undefeated.
With a bevy of key players in each line, it’s tough to know who to lock down – but if Carlton can stick to their game style and structure, Newman is confident the Blues can get the job done.
“They’ve got stars in every line: their backline - while missing Sam Taylor - they’ve got a serious back six,” he admitted.
“The forward line with Toby [Greene], Brent Daniels and [Toby] Bedford is going well, add in Jesse Hogan with the form he’s in and that speaks for itself.
“They play with speed, they run at you and handball at you, so if your defence isn’t on, they can make you look pretty silly.”
Newman has been the desired match-up for Toby Greene in recent years for Carlton, but said he wouldn’t be the sole defender on the All-Australian captain this week.
With a few injuries hampering the Blues’ defence, a taller back structure will be in place, leaving a rotating role on the dangerous small forward.
Newman said as always, it'd be a collective team effort to shut down not only Greene but the entire Giants forward line, but he was confident the group had the composure to quell an opposing forward line.
The 31-year-old is confident that between the back six, they can keep their composure and defend a strong opposing forward line.
“I’ve played on [Greene] before and Zac Williams has played on him, he did a really great job on Michael Walters a couple of weeks ago,” he said.
“We’ve got Kemp, Weitering and Young this week so we’re probably a bit taller. We know ‘Kempy’ can do that [role].
“With Toby, he’s so good at everything. He’s good in the air, he’s good at the ground level, he’s aerobically good, he’s quick and powerful, so you feel like you have to be on him in all facets of the game.”
